Targeting a winter production season!

We hope to harvest our hydroponic strawberries for the holiday season! Students are constantly taking care of the hydroponic towers. Such tasks include; checking the water level, the pH level, and temperature. These are just a few of the routine tasks. At this point, pollination is a key factor for growing strawberries. We have many flowers. Strawberry flowers contain both male and female parts on the same plant. In the outdoors, pollination is handled by bees. In the classroom, we have to gently brush across each open flower. Essential nutrition for strawberries is Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus (NPK). This is basic for plant survival. Nitrogen is for cell growth, Phosphorous for the roots, flowers, and bud. Lastly, Potassium is for photosynthesis. 

We have successfully fought off an outbreak of mites without utilizing any chemicals. Simply with water! The short days and cool nights of winter have also helped to slow down the mites reproduction.
We are growing strawberries because we can! 🍓🍓🍓