Why Your Family Should Consider An Aquaponics Herb Garden
If you love your family but luck enough time to garden and keep up with all of the latest trends in herbal medicine, consider investing in the aquaponic herb garden.
Not only will you have a constant supply of fresh herbs for your medicinal and culinary needs, but you’ll also be able to teach your children about growing food sustainably. Aquaponics is a great way for families to come together and learn about sustainable living practices.
However, to have a successful aquaponic herb garden, you need steps to ensure healthy herbs with added benefits. Here are some of the reasons why your family needs to consider an aquaponic herb garden:
Aquaponic Herb Garden Promotes Healthy Eating
If you have children, you know how difficult it can be to get them to eat their vegetables. Aquaponic herb gardens can help promote healthy eating habits in children by providing them with fresh, nutritious herbs that they can grow themselves.
With aquaponics, you’re confident that your plants are organic because you know what went into growing them. Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat foods they have grown. And what could be more rewarding than watching your child take a bite out of a delicious, healthy herb that they grew themselves?
Aquaponic Herb Gardens are Fun and Easy to Grow
Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow, so they are perfect for people who are new to gardening. With an aquaponic herb garden, you don’t have to worry about soil quality or watering schedules. You need a little sunlight, a steady water supply, and fish waste.
Fresh Produce
Having your aquaponic herb garden with fish or vegetables is a great way to get fresh, healthy produce all year round. Your family will have access to fresh herbs and vegetables and will also be able to eat them as soon as they are picked.
Aquaponic Herb Garden Ensures Healthy Food
In aquaponics, fish and plants grow without fertilizers and chemicals. The water that the fish live in is circulated to the plants. The roots of the plants absorb nutrients from the water and return it to the fish, cleaned. This cycle provides everything the plants and fish need to thrive without using any harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Self Sufficient Way of Living
Aquaponics is ideal for people and family food production since it provides you with both vegetables and quality animal protein. This enables your family to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on grocery store items. This system is good for you, and it’s also great for the environment.
What Herbs Grow in Aquaponics?
In an aquaponic herb garden, you can grow almost any plant. However, the most popular choices for medicinal herbs grown in aquaponics include:
Basil
Basil is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking and is considered a high-value crop for aquaponics. Basil adds flavors to meals, and its nutrients provide health benefits in the diet as herbal medicine and essential oil.
The most common types of basil include sweet basil, purple basil, lemon basil, and Thai basil. Basil grows well in an aquaponic herb garden because of the ideal conditions created with warm water and sunlight.
Chives
Chives are a member of the onion family and have a mild flavor that is often used as a garnish or in soups and salads. Chives are low in calories but high in vitamins A and C, making them a healthy addition to the diet.
Although chives are often just as a garnish, they offer health benefits, including improved memory, helping prevent cancer, and help prevent osteoporosis. Chives grow well in aquaponics because they do not require a lot of space and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
Parsley
Parsley is a herb that is native to the Mediterranean and Europe. Thanks to its refreshing and high market value, it’s a popular ingredient in many recipes and is cultivated worldwide. The two most common types of parsley include the curly-leaved parsley and the Italian or the flat-leaved parsley.
As one of the most potent diseases fighting plants, parsley provides nutritional value and offers many potential health benefits. Parsley is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that protect the eye. This herb contains many essential nutrients, including calories, carbs, protein, fat, fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, and potassium. Parsley also supports bone health and contains cancer-fighting substances as well.
Watercress Herb
The watercress herb is a leafy, dark green plant that thrives in damp environments. Watercress is one of the healthiest and easiest herbs to grow in aquaponics. It’s a member of the cruciferous family, alongside kale, broccoli, arugula, and brussel sprouts. It has become trendy, thanks to its nutritional content.
It’s packed with nutrients, especially Vitamin K, and beneficial for heart health. Watercress also contains compounds that may prevent certain types of cancer. High antioxidant content may also help lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Oregano
Oregano is another herb that can grow well in aquaponics. It has a strong flavor and can be used fresh, dried, or as an oil. Although it’s used in small amounts, oregano is still packed with essential nutrients. It’s rich in antioxidants that help fight damage from harmful free radicals in the body. It may also help reduce viral infections.
Can You Grow Mint in Aquaponics?
Yes, mint is a great plant to grow in your fish tank herb garden. Mint is a member of the Lamiaceae family, including other herbs such as basil, oregano, and rosemary. With great care and conditions, mint can thrive in an aquaponic herb garden without stress. Examples of the mint family plants that can thrive in a fish tank herb garden include:
- Sage
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Thyme
Grow mint in your fish tank herb garden to enjoy its many benefits. This refreshing herb can be used to flavor foods and beverages or as a decoration. Plus, mint has been shown to have medicinal properties that can help relieve digestive issues.
Final Verdict
Aquaponics is a great way to garden, and growing both plants and fish in your fish tank is a great way to get started. Starting and maintaining aquaponics is easy, and the results are worth it. Not only will you have fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables to eat, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the company of your fishy friends. So what are you waiting for? Start an aquaponic herb garden today and enjoy the many benefits it has to offer.
