ROOFTOP GARDENING USING AN AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

This is why Gerilen Elinessete, together with her husband, both licensed engineers by profession, built their own garden on their rooftop. As a result of their love for planting and DIY projects, they were able to strongly influence their children in growing their own food and eating vegetables.

They do container gardening and operate their own aquaponics system as well. They call it a ‘zero-waste garden’ as the materials used are mostly recycled, including their aquariums and containers.

WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?

Aquaponics is derived from the words ‘aquaculture’ and ‘hydroponics.’ It is a combination of two systems: aquaculture, or the raising of aquatic animals, in this case small fish in aquarium tanks, and hydroponics, meaning plant cultivation in water.

Through the aquaponics system, they can harvest leafy vegetables like lettuce in less than a month. They grow lettuce, watercress, and kangkong using the aquaponics system while their tomatoes, spring onions, papaya, ampalaya, alugbati, cilantro, malunggay, and kale are planted in pots.