THE WINDOWSILL, HYDROPONIC, INFLATION-BUSTER GARDEN

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[2] An atom of nitrogen is an atom of nitrogen, no matter whether it came from a pile of compost or a sack of chemical fertilizer. Plants require sixteen chemical elements for proper growth and nutrition, and all of these chemicals are utilized by a plant in their "inorganic" or atomic form.

This is a basic fact of botany and, therefore, there is no nutritional difference between a plant raised "organically" and a plant that is grown "chemically". This assumes, of course, that both plants have an adequate diet available to them since, obviously, any plant-organic or otherwise-can be nutritionally deficient if it doesn't receive a nutritional diet to begin with.

[3] Some of the chemicals in commercial hydroponic fertilizers are derived from petroleum ... and this is the only criticism of hydroponics that I will accept as legitimate.

However. I purchased 50 pounds of Hyponex in 1973 for about $30 ... and here it is, 1977 ... and I've used up less than half of that 50 pounds. My hydroponic greenhouse (greenhouse, not window box) is fairly large, yet the amount of Hyponex used (one teaspoon per gallon of water) is so small that a little goes a long, long way. Or, to put it another way: How many dollars have you spent on gasoline for your car since 1973? I'll bet it doesn't get the mileage from its gas tank that my garden gets from my hydroponic tanks!

And that's the gist of why I (a guy very deeply involved in self-sufficient living, alternative energy systems, minimum impact on the planet. and other related subjects) find nothing "unnatural" or "wrong" about hydroponics. I'm right there with you "organic" gardeners when it comes to farming in soil ... but hydroponics is a different breed of cat entirely. And, as far as I've been able to learn, there is absolutely no scientific evidence of any kind that proves "organic" vegetables are nutritionally different from their "inorganic" brothers.

So ... please don't criticize hydroponics on strictly emotional grounds. At least give the idea a try before you attack it. And I'm betting that if you do try hydroponic gardening ... you're going to become as enthusiastic about it as I am.—J.D.

SOURCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION
HYDROPONIC PLANT FOODS

Hyponex: Available from most nurseries and garden supply stores. Manufactured by The Hydroponic Chemical Company, Dept. TMEN, Copley, Ohio 44321.

Dr. Chatelier's Plant Food: Check your local nursery or write directly to the company at P.O. Box 20375, Dept. TMEN, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33742. These folks are nice people to do business with and they make a fine plant food.

Miracle Gardens, Inc.: This is the same company that makes the automated hydroponic garden mentioned in the article. It also sells a liquid plant food (other brands come in granular form, which must be dissolved in water). Miracle Gardens. Inc., 47 Hall St., Dept TMEN, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205.

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