EQUILIBRIUM//////////

Current soil is exhausted. In

Almería, Spain, a shimmering

sea of polythene covers

hydroponic growing

methods that have changed

the way farmers operate.

They grow more vegetables

with less land and less

water. But the image of a

land cloaked in plastic is at

the same time terrifying.

The practice of garden

design should also be

aware of this change.

Equilibrium makes us

rethink about the need

for a large amount of soil

for a temporary garden. Thanks to hydroponics, we

use no organic soil and

drip irrigation. The garden

stands up and becomes

didactic, teaching us how

much material is actually

needed for planting and

how the irrigation system

works. Hanging nutritive

solutions bags show to the

visitor how many litres the

tomatoes require. Being

inside a greenhouse’s

artificiality we experience

what progress involves,

observing its pros and cons,

questioning ourselves

about which direction should

the future take.

longitudinal elevation

plan

Big Beef hydroponic tomatoes///

Tomatoe Big Beef is a hybrid that overcomes

adverse growing conditions and adapts to

virtually any climate. Big Beef produces smooth

skinned fruits that are globe-shaped, 9 to

16 oz. and disease resistant. The uniformity

of this hybrid also provides an old-fashioned,

rich flavour.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

HYDROPONICS ADVANTAGES///////

1. PLANTS CAN BE GROWN

ANYWHERE

2. BETTER CONTROL OVER PLANT

GROWTH

3. LESS WORK WITH HYDROPONICS

4. WATER AND NUTRIENTS ARE

CONSERVED

5. PEST AND DISEASE PROBLEMS

ARE REDUCED

6. TRANSPLANTING SHOCK IS

REDUCED FOR SEEDLINGS

7. SOIL EROSION PROBLEM IS NON-

EXISTENCE

8. CULTURE IS EXTENSIV

transversal section garden working system

longitudinal section

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

pump

mixing system

(helix)

free hook

silver reflective thermal screening roof

(Greenhouse low-technology method)

optimum temperature for hydroponic tomatoes 17-27°C

water +

nutrient

solution

+ copper

sulfate

(algaecide)

perlite

filter

draining

(open system)

Water collection for

garden irrigation

drip irrigation