FAQ

Let’s start by defining hydroponics. Literally, the name means working water. Simply put, it is the art of gardening without soil. There are six basic kinds of hydroponic systems with hundreds of possible variations. 

The Anywhere Garden grows plants without dirt using a method of hydroponics where the plant roots are suspended partially in air and partially in an oxygen infused nutrient solution. The roots are bathed with ideal levels of nutrients, water and oxygen. These plants grow significantly faster, are healthier for you and have higher nutrient content than plants grown in soil.

There are more vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients in The Anywhere Garden produce than in most “certified organic” produce purchased from the supermarkets.

For example: Salad Greens have been shown to contain up to 55% more Vitamin C than Organic Mixed Baby Greens and up to 200% more vitamin C than a clamshell-packaged head of Organic Butter Lettuce.

Hundreds of studies have shown that many vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients degrade during transportation and storage (average time 7-14 days) before reaching the consumer.

Supermarket produce is usually picked before it is ripe – before any vitamins, antioxidants, and nutrients reach maximum levels. Produce grown in your own home is as “local” as you can possibly get!

There are no risks of food-borne illness or contamination from commercial packaging, handling, or soil organisms (E. coli) with produce grown in your own garden.

• Vegetables such as Cherry Tomatoes and Green Beans will grow for up to 6 months, and you will be able to start harvesting in about 8 – 10 weeks.
• Greens will grow for up to 4 months, and you can begin harvesting after 3 weeks.
• Herbs such as Pesto Basil, and Tuscan Italian will all grow up to 4 months. You can start harvesting your herbs in about 4 weeks.
• Flowers will begin to bloom in about 4 weeks and will continue for up to 4 months.

The Anywhere Garden is:

• Designed for re-use
• Designed for energy efficiency
• Made from recyclable components
• BPA-free plastics throughout
• Grow Baskets are recyclable ABS plastic
• Cardboard shipping boxes are recyclable at most local facilities 
• Grow Bulbs can be recycled for free at all Home Depot Stores
• Bulk packaging implemented for retailers, reducing overwrap packaging

The Pharaohs of Egypt enjoyed fruits and vegetables grown hydroponically. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, was believed to be a hydroponic garden. In India, plants are grown directly in coconut husk; hydro at the most grassroots level. If hydroponics is a “new” technology, it is a new technology in general use for thousands of years. Hydroponics is not new — just different.

This is totally false. Growing plants hydroponically is far more earth friendly than conventional gardening on numerous levels. As we are coming to realize that water is our most precious resource the first point worth noting is that hydroponics uses 70 to 90 percent LESS water than conventional gardening. The second greatest ecological benefit is that no fertilizer runoff escapes into our lakes, rivers and aquifers. These two items alone, water conservation and the non-pollution of lakes and streams, are major plus values.

Plant growth is a real and natural happening. Plants require basic, natural things for normal growth. Hydroponics supplies the plant with what it needs, when it needs it. There is no genetic mutation that takes place inside the equipment nor are there any mysterious wonder chemicals introduced to the plants roots that trick them into thinking they’re on steroids. With the production of more refined nutrients, it is now possible to grow completely organic produce with hydroponics. You can’t get more natural than that

This is one myth that we wish were true. The need should be greatly reduced because a strong healthy plant is much less susceptible to attack than a weaker plant. Also, soil-born pest will be totally eliminated but even in an indoor environment, intruders still find their way in, catching a ride on your person or sneaking through tiny crevices. Monitor any garden carefully so you can catch problem insects when they first appear and your need for toxic products will be minimal.