by Lesley Warner
I decided to stay on food this week after I found an
interesting farm in Soi 15, Thappraya Road, called Good Farmer Hydroponics.
It was fascinating to see the plants growing in this way, right through the
growth cycle.
Half
way there
Good Farmer Hydroponics is set up on two rai of land
where the vegetables are placed in intervals along a channel, and grown with
their root ends constantly moistened by the nutrient flow trough.
It was explained to me that Hydroponics is the growing of
plants without using soil. Plants are instead grown in an inert medium, and
fed a nutrient solution, which includes all the elements necessary for plant
growth.
I’m
ready
At Good Farmer, they use the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
to grow hydroponics vegetables. NFT is a method of hydroponics growing a
thin film of nutrient laden water that spreads along the bottom of specially
designed channels, then flows down to a collector at the end of the channels
and drains into a reservoir tank. From the tank it is pumped back up to the
top of the channel.
Just
beginning
They have a wide selection of vegetables and herbs, for
example Butterhead, Red Batavian, Red Oak leaf, Green Oak leaf, Frille crisp
Iceberg, Red Coral, Baby Cos, Mizuna, and Mibuna.
There are also herbs like Sweet Basil (opal), Thyme,
Rockets (Italian), Dill, Oregano, Rosemary and many more.
Although Good Farmers was mainly a wholesale supplier in
the past they are now developing an onsite retail shop and tell me no order
is too small, anything over 150 baht and they will deliver free of charge.
They also recommend their gift baskets and mixed salad packs.
For more enquiries visit the farm or telephone (038) 252 076.
