Learn how to grow crops without soil

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, and an upcoming workshop will teach you everything you need to know about how to get started.

Commonly associated with the cannabis industry, hydroponic growing systems use less water, and often allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based methods. When paired with greenhouses, hydroponics can extend the growing season in northern Ontario while allowing for decreased pesticide and fertilizer use with no weeding required.



Hydroponics expert, Adam Hayward will be conducting a workshop to help shed some light on how people can use this growing system in their everyday lives.

Earlier this summer, Sault Ste. Marie City Council approved the motion to allot funds from the Green Initiative Programs to the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) to conduct a hydroponics research project and the associated workshop.

The project, done in partnership with Harvest Algoma and Lake Superior Living Labs Network, is looking at hydroponic growing systems in a local greenhouse to test different kinds of nutrients (organic vs. inorganic) on lettuce crops. Alongside the research, the project deliverables included offering a workshop to share some tips, tricks and base knowledge on how to set up your own hydroponic growing systems.

“The workshop is open to members of the community to attend in person and learn the basics of hydroponic growing,” states Lauren Moran, Horticultural Research Assistant with RAIN. “There are several benefits to using this type of growing system, including strengthening local food security and food sovereignty.”

Aimed at gardeners and growers alike, or those who like to experiment, the workshop aims to provide a foundation of knowledge around hydroponic growing. Topics covered will include an introduction to the necessary equipment needed, the main types of systems that exist, substrates (i.e., growing mediums), and examples of how the system can be modified.

Moran noted, “Our vision for the workshop is that participants walk away feeling confident that if they wanted to try something like this for themselves, they could do it and have the information on who to get a hold of if they need any further guidance or more information.”

Hayward is set to facilitate the workshop, which will be offered at $15 per person, on November 18 from 1-3pm at United Way Harvest Algoma (446 Second Line East, Sault Ste. Marie). Interested individuals can register here.