Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club offers hands-on workshop in hydroponic gardening

Although hydroponic gardening has been around for thousands of years (the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for example) gardeners are beginning to rediscover this exciting method of gardening without soil. Hydroponic gardening is the cultivation of plants in water. One of the benefits of hydroponics over traditional farming is that hydroponic plants grow much faster and healthier than soil-grown plants. One reason for this is that the plants do not have to grow roots in a wide, deep fashion in order to look for water. The roots can grow straight down a few inches to get its nourishment. This method also helps to eliminate unwanted diseases that begin in the soil. Additionally, although water is the growing medium, less water is used in hydroponic gardens because the water is recycled and there is very little water loss due to evaporation.

The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club is offering a Hydroponics Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about hydroponic gardening. This hands-on workshop will teach participants the principals of applying hydroponics as a fun and easy sustainable gardening method. Each participant will create and take home their own kitchen garden with fall veggies and herbs. The Garden Club is located at 17025 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe. The workshop fee is $70 and includes all materials and plants.

The workshop will be conducted by Alex Kallas of AgPals (Partnership for Agriculture and Landscape Sustainability), a nonprofit educational organization that promotes sustainable gardening in schools, garden clubs, and community gardens.

All proceeds from Saturday’s workshop will benefit local garden education. To reserve a space in the workshop please contact, Alex Kallas, at agpals@luckymail.com or call 760-977-8892.

Make your own Hydroponic Garden Box at the RSF Garden Club on Saturday, Oct. 8, from noon to 4 p.m.