Maximum Yield USA December 2019 / January 2020 | Page 26

“From different crops to pest control methods, designs and layouts to the proverbial pink flamingo and garden gnomes, garden techniques, style, and care have gone through many notable transformations.” Gardening Techniques In Thomas Jefferson’s day, it was common prac- tice to spread manure over the entire garden surface in preparation for the coming plant- ing season. This trend was “poopular” well into the 20th century. Though it is still in use by some gardeners today, this trend faded for the most part with the advent of bagged fertilizers containing all the plant-specific nutrients needed to grow a healthy garden. Less mess with better results and no effluvium meant the spreading of manure over the garden floor became unnecessary. Modern Day Garden Types Raised garden beds are a popular trend these days. They afford gardeners a bevy of perquisites. There is less bending, better pest control management, and, if the bed is built right, potentially less weeding. Additionally, there is no trampling down of the garden soil while tending your plants, so you’ll also realize more efficient drainage. #T he 7I s C omIng “We will launch with the ability to utilize and monitor twelve remote CO2 sensors all reporting back to the main display. We feel like we have leapfrogged the competition with the CO2 Multi-Sensor System.” —Travis Lenander, CEO See us at MJBizCon! Booth #6519 • 5% CO2 NDIR Sensor • 4 Configurable Alarm Settings • 8-inch Touchscreen Control Panel [email protected] | 877-678-4259 26 Maximum Yield Promoted by governments, victory gardens were born out of necessity to help feed the populace of a country at war. Another trend Maximum Yield readers will know well is hydroponics. The word “hydroponics” is a synthesis of the Greek words hydro (water) and ponos (work). Literally, let the water do the work. In a hydroponic garden, a plant’s roots are submerged in a nutrient-infused water solution or a soilless medium such as stone wool, coco fiber, or perlite. Even though growing plants without soil has its roots in previous centuries, it didn’t really catch on until late in the 20th century with the development of hydroponic and aquaponic systems for the home gardener. Up until then, the idea that one could grow edible plants and vegetables without dirt sounded a little crazy. However, the advantages of indoor hydroponic gardening are self-evident: increased yields without the digging, inclement weather, and dirt. Finally, as more people with less space look for a way to continue gardening, vertical farming has come onto the scene. As with a hydro system, plants in a vertical farm are grown indoors in a controlled environment employing artificial lighting and no soil. Often, the entire operation is monitored electronically while adjustments to temperature, nutrient intake, and watering are all made instantly through a bank of electronic sensors. Of course, you can also grow vertically without all the electronic minutia. Gardening Techniques In an ever more health-conscious world, the use of chemical pesticides in the home garden is one trend that’s on its way out. We need only look at the once ubiquitous insecticide DDT to know why this a good thing. Banned from agricultural use a few decades ago, the disturbing side effects of DDT are felt to this day in the form of human health scares and danger- ous ground contamination. There is no downside to avoiding chemicals in the garden. The less chemicals used, the safer and healthier you and your garden will be.