Indoor Gardening Ideal for this Impatient Gardener



June 22, 2005 -- It's not quite the Land of the Midnight Sun  but at an elevation of 1140 meters (3740 feet) and a latitude close to 52 degrees north, Calgary has a climate that can drive even the most dedicated gardener in doors. Even the most loyal residents of Canada's rapidly-expanding energy city will agree that the seasons here are virtually unpredictable  to the degree that the locals have an expression saying, "If you donąt like Calgary weather, just wait five minutes and it'll change."

Despite being nestled in the lee of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary has a dry climate, where temperature and moisture conditions can vary significantly from day to day. Plant anything before June 1st and its survival is a matter of chance. Calgarians have actually experienced snow in every month of the year  and while summers have long days and can be hot and dry through July and August, evening thundershowers are common  often accompanied by devastating hail.

So it's not surprising that more and more health-conscious gardeners here are turning to hydroponics  the perfect answer for the impatient gardener.

It's an idea first introduced in the Fifties  and largely popularized in western Canada by artist, theatre designer and fitness enthusiast Alma Newton. Rejecting the idea of eating imported fruits and vegetables for at least six months a year, the originator of www.hydroponicgarden.net determined in 1963 to grow her own employing methods then being refined in Europe.

Beginning with a small dedicated space and employing simple equipment, she first began producing sprouts and hardy salad vegetables for her growing family  achieving such success that what was once a hobby soon became a thriving business as people worldwide copied her equipment and methods.

Today, Alma Newton is an enthusiastic voice for home-grown foods produced by hydroponics, pointing out the benefits of producing fruits and vegetables that supply naturally-balanced nutrients, are disease free, which conserve water, and which provide healthy eating year-round.

And the best part, she insists, is that anyone can succeed in hydroponics  even if they have never had a garden before. All it requires is fifteen minutes maintenance a day to ensure bountiful supplies of tomatoes, herbs, greenstuffs, beans and peppers.

Better still, she says, there is no secret to this success. The methods are simple. The equipment is easy to set up. And rather than fighting the vagaries of an unpredictable climate, you are left with time to enjoy your family and pursue your various hobbies.





Indoor Gardening Ideal for this Impatient Gardener