Maximum Yield USA April 2013

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Indoor gardenING expo

Maximum Yield’s

NOVI MICHIGAN June 1-2

SAN FRANCISCO

LONG BEACH

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA

July 27-28

OCTOBER 26-27

indoorgardeningexpo.com

CONTENTS

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April 2013

FEATURES 0 1 1

56 Tasty Tomatoes: Improving Flavor

102

and Quality in Hydroponically Grown Tomatoes

by Bill DeBoer

66 Super Starts: Raising

Transplants that Yield Big Later

by Erik Biksa

80 Undergoing an Organic Transformation

by Eric Hopper

94 Simply Silica

by Helene Isbell

102 Organic Rooting Medium: Composting Wood

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

94

56

110 Soft Water's Not That Hard!

by Jennifer Casey

120 Grindo: Indoor Quality, Outdoor Quantity, Greenhouse Grown

by Jonathan Valdeman

130 High-tech Propagation

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

144 Lights and CO2: Pros and Cons

by Matt Lebanister

152 A Different Kind of Fertilizer: an Introduction to Biosolids

by Grubbycup

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

120

DEPARTMENTS 12

From the Editor

142

Tips and Tricks

14

MaximumYield.com

150

Avant Gardening

18

Letters to the Editor

160

You Tell Us

20

Ask Erik

162

Talking Shop

22

MAX Facts

166

10 Facts On...

34

Product Spotlight

168

Max Mart

64

Beginner's Corner

171

Distributors

78

Growing for Health

186

Coming up in May

92

Green Thumb Gardening

164

Do You Know?

FROM THE EDITOR | Linda Jesson This month we celebrate Earth Day—an important day for us because the heart of our gardens really begins with the Earth. So, in this issue of Maximum Yield we are all about articles that promote a more sustainable way of living. Jonathan Valdeman talks about the benefits of greenhouse growing yearround, and Eric Hopper takes us through the steps of making an organic transformation.

Message from the

Editor Linda Jesson

We've also included features on composting wood (it takes at least a year), the best starter crops (there are five we recommend) and how to best germinate seeds (it's so easy!). Matt Lebannister also sheds some light on effectively combining the right lights with the right levels of carbon dioxide to maximize your indoor garden's growing power.

Maximum Yield is also happy to welcome back Erik Biksa, an experienced gardener who, in this issue, writes about raising transplants for larger yields later on. You’ll also be able to find him regularly on our Facebook page.

To top off our April issue, we also feature some interesting trivia and some of the up and coming products filling the shelves of retail grow stores across the country.

Did we miss seeing you in Denver, Colorado, last month at the Indoor Gardening Expo? If so there are three more chances to attend a Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo this year. The highly anticipated 2013 Indoor Gardening Expo Tour is booking fast and we welcome all manufacturers, distributors, retailers and gardening enthusiasts to join us. We will be stopping in Novi, Michigan, from June 1 to 2, San Francisco, California, from July 27th to 28th and Long Beach, California, from October 26 to 27. Check out the interactive floor plans at indoorgardenexpo.com and make plans to attend! Booth reservations are still available for all three shows, so call 1-250-729-2677 to book your booths before they sell out.

Happy Earth Day, Growers!

VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 1 April 2013 Maximum Yield is published monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

The views expressed by columnists are a personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor.

Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed In Canada PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson editorial editor@maximumyield.com Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Jessica Skelton Assistant Editor Julie McManus ADVERTISING SALES Sales Manager Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Account Executives Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Emily Rodgers - emily@maximumyield.com Kelsey Hepples - kelsey@maximumyield.com Katie Montague - katie@maximumyield.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads@maximumyield.com Art Director Alice Joe Graphic Designers Liz Johnston Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurd ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com Tara Campbell - tara@maximumyield.com USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply • Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply • R&M Supply • Tradewinds CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral • Eddis Wholesale • Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • MegaWatt • Quality Wholesale UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies • Growth Technology • Future Harvest Development Europe • Hydrogarden Nutriculture UK • Dutch Pro • Maxigrow AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden • Futchatec • Growth Technology

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

contributors Erik Biksa is a leading expert in the field of hydroponics, first contributing to Maximum Yield in 1999. He has also appeared in many other major publications, and in video and audio productions. Erik has worked for several industry leaders consulting around the world while enjoying a strong network of hydroponic community members. His latest project is a hydroponics digital publication via grozine.com

Jennifer Casey loves her two dogs, her husband, the amazing garden he grows and living in the country—in that order. Crafting, reading and cooking from the garden are her favorite ways to spend her time.

Bill DeBoer is a laboratory scientist at Indiana-based steadyGROWpro. A master gardener intern, Bill is responsible for company’s laboratory operations, including the design and execution of research projects, plant propagation, seed germination and overall plant care. Bill has a BS and MS from Purdue University, and was previously a research technician for the US Department of Agriculture.

Grubbycup has been an avid

Eric Hopper has over 10 years of

Helene Isbell is an avid

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50

Matt LeBannister developed a

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B.

indoor gardener for over 20 years.

His articles were first published in the United Kingdom, and since then his gardening advice has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czechoslovakian and German. He is also considered one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics.

experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager and owner. He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance. Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle.

years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues.

He currently has his own consulting company, Grosystems, Inc. Dr. Jones currently lives in Anderson, SC, USA.

Jonathan Valdman, owner of

Forever Flowering Greenhouses, has been striving to develop solutions to the environmental impact of current agricultural trends. Forever Flowering was born out of Jonathan’s desire to reduce the over-usage of HID lighting and to educate growers as to the potential of multiple crops with the free power of the sun.

green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007. His articles are published around the world.

horticulturalist and has been an advocate of the hydroponics and organic gardening industry for over 10 years. A California native, Helene lives in San Diego, where she promotes the education of urban agriculture and represents Mad Farmer, a company that specializes in hydroponic nutrient supplements.

Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD in hydroponic greenhouse production from Massey University, New Zealand. Lynette is a partner with SUNTEC International Hydroponic Consultants and has authored five hydroponic technical books. Visit suntec.co.nz for more information.

Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout USA, Canada, UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

Maximum Yield is the largest free-to-consumer indoor gardening magazine in the world. Every issue is available on maximumyield.com, which has thousands of unique visitors monthly.

COMING UP ON THE WEB Maximum Yield’s Grow Like a Pro Indoor Garden Expo Tour Hits Michigan Celebrate with us on the second stop of our Grow Like a Pro Tour in Novi, Michigan, June 1 and 2, 2013. The vibrant and rapidly growing East Coast indoor gardening industry will be in for a treat as exhibitors from around the globe showcase the newest and most innovative products at the Suburban Collection Showplace.

Stay tuned to indoorgardenexpo.com for event details and updates.

$1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

Got Questions? Get Answers.

Maximum Yield’s resident expert Erik Biksa is available and ready to answer your modern gardening questions. Email editor@maximumyield. com or fill out the “Ask the Experts” question form on maximumyield.com/contactus

I’m a Fan Contest

Connect With Us

Introducing the newest contest from Maximum Yield! Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win monthly prizes of $100 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a

Connect to maximumyield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of every issue of Maximum Yield. Now you can access the best products, the most in-depth articles and information,

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

and the latest news at high speeds. Simply download the QR Code Reader software compatible with your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to maximumyield.com.

It’s that simple!

Connect with US maximumyield.com facebook.com/MaximumYield indoorgardenexpo.com twitter.com/max_yield

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MY Breaks it Down

I’m a fan of Maximum Yield because I’m a new gardener and I have been learning great skills and tips on how and what to do. You guys break it down so it’s easy to understand, and I love that every time a new issue comes out it’s in my hands.

Keep up the great work. Because of you, I think I can finally learn how to be a great gardener. Thanks so much!

Rick, Sacramento, California

Back Issue Attack

If I have any questions or issues about my indoor garden all I have to do is look at my issues of Maximum Yield that are neatly stacked on my coffee table. It’s a great magazine with good articles and reviews.

Eduardo, Los Angeles, California

Hooked on MY

Maximum Yield is the best online magazine on gardening, garden products and any topic plant related. I got hooked on it last year after being given a copy of [your] free magazine, and could not believe such a good gardening magazine was totally free. Then I went to [your] expo in Novi, Michigan, and now look forward to going every year they come to my area.

Me and my friends talk about it all year, like it’s a special holiday to us. We all had a great time, and we’ll be there this year, for sure! Thanks, Maximum Yield.

Steve, Oak Harbor, Ohio

I’m a Fan Winner Announced Santino Patterson from Bellmawr, New Jersey, is the second winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest!

Santino said, “Maximum Yield always has the best up-to-date information on all the best new products and indoor growing techniques. It’s the only magazine I need to stay on top of all my horticultural needs. Maximum Yield is by far the most insightful indoor gardening magazine out there.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that Santino Patterson it’s free! You just can’t beat it!”

Thanks for the kudos, Santino, and congratulations on winning Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest! We hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate at your favorite indoor gardening shop, Boyer Indoor Gardening.

Would you like a chance to win Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest? Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win the monthly prize of a $100 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com, or fill out the online form at maximumyield.com/imafan. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

via Facebook This February we asked our Facebook fans what they are using for propagation lighting this season. Check out some of the other responses below:

Marko Green Pad

“CO2 in your humidity dome is often overlooked and under appreciated, until now. Cuttings and seedlings thrive with increased CO2. Give it a try!”

Gary Raymond Floro

“Hydrologic Hydroponics 110-W T5s for rooting and 250-W halides for early vegetative growth.”

Aidan Stig

“Driver Sun Blaster T5s all the way.”

Scott Freedman

“[The] best propagation lights are the cheap two bar florescent shop lights. It’s about the only generic thing I use indoors.”

Good Guys Gardening Center

“We like 4-ft. T5s zap-strapped to metal racks – quick, cheap, efficient.”

Christian Flickinger

“Still a ton of T8s for germs and greenhouse for grow.”

Cody Blas

“hps and Inda Gro induction lights.”

Donna Shegonee

“I use a home made CFL Light for seed starting once germinated.

There are four 35 watt 64K cfl in each of my fixtures. Before I use a heat mat & humidity dome."

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

We want to hear from you!

Maximum Yield Publications Inc. Snail-mail: 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Email: editor@maximumyield.com Twitter: twitter.com/max_yield Facebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield Editor’s Note: We accidentally misspelled the name of Wendy Garrett Babcock, owner of Garden City Fungi and ExHale, in February’s How it’s Made feature. Our sincerest apologies, Wendy.

The name of Supreme Growers' co-founder is Scott Freedman, not Scott Freshman as the introduction to March's You Tell Us feature stated. We regret the error and are very sorry, Scott.

ASK Erik

Big Charts:

Will More Stuff Give Better Yields?

Erik Biksa

I have been growing for over a year and I am starting to get the hang of things. It took some work to get the environment to stay optimal with the lights on, but that’s dialed in now. At the recommendation of a friend, I started simple with my nutrients and growing medium. My harvests are good, but I know they could be better. The environment is great, so I want to see if I can step up my yields and quality with my growth method. I plan on changing my large containers to an automated drain-to-waste system with coco coir as the medium. My question is: Do I really need all of that stuff I see on the “experienced” sections of hydroponic nutrient feed charts? What about organics for my system?

You speak for a lot of growers, and I would like to bring attention to the fact that you are building your garden on a solid platform by optimizing one area at a time. By not changing more than one critical factor at a time, you can see if your changes are working or not.

One of the things you should consider in your decision on what program to use, or the types of products you need to customize your own program, is how you’re going to set up your drain-towaste system. The main factor is if the solution will be pre-mixed before being fed to the crop (i.e. reservoir and pump via timer) or mixed while the crop is being fed (i.e. dose system injects nutrient concentrates and pH adjusters into the main line from concentrate reservoirs)?

Besides the big difference in cost, the critical factor here is that one solution is left standing and the other is mixed fresh. In the standing solution, even if recirculated or aerated between feedings, you run the risk of having biological components become active in the

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

reservoir rather than in the growing medium. Also, some ingredients and microbial life don’t like to swim, and nasty imbalances and growths might occur. Now, if you mix that same solution fresh and apply it to the growing medium right away, you typically won’t have any issues because the ingredients are being delivered in balanced ratios and at the correct pH. So, if you go with a standing reservoir, try and limit the biological load. In other words, stick to mostly synthetic nutrient sources and go lighter on the biologicals.

If you do use bio-ingredients, reservoir temperature is critical and the solution shouldn’t stand for more than a few days. Also, it’s a good idea to recirculate or aerate it between feedings if left standing for more than a few hours. If you go with an accurate dosing system, look for one that is suitable for injecting organic liquid concentrates and you’ll typically be able to run totally organic solution without issue. Look at it this way: synthetics are like leaving a glass of orange juice made from drink

crystals out on the counter—not much is going to happen quickly.

Then try that with fresh squeezed; this OJ is likely to turn bad within a day or two (especially when coupled with warmer temperatures).

To answer the other part of your question: no, your plants don’t need all that stuff to survive until harvest. However, that stuff can be used as the building blocks to create better flavors and aromas while potentially making your plants hardier and capable of yielding greater harvests.

If you want to get more out of something, you typically have to put more into it. Choose wisely, though. Do your research on a feeding program. What works great in one garden might not do as well in another. It depends largely on the application; although, today’s crop nutrient technologies can help make anybody a better gardener than ever possible before.

Cheers, Erik Biksa grozine.com

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Heroic Hazelnuts Just a few years ago the entire hazelnut industry in Oregon was threatened by eastern filbert blight, but decades of research by Shawn Mehlenbacher (professor of horticulture at Oregon State University) has ensured a supply of resistant varieties.

In the late 1970s, scientists discovered a blight-resistant pollinator in fields, with a gene they named gasaway, and began the slow process of breeding trees that shared that resistance. By the time farmers were really hurting, researchers could offer plants that were not perfect, but had at least some resistance. Now, those trees are all over the Willamette Valley and growers are putting their hope in them, replacing blighted trees with these new varieties.

(Source: npr.org)

MAXFACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia Understanding Microbes Blowing in the Wind USDA scientists are studying travel patterns of microbes in soils carried off by strong winds. The work has implications for soil health and could lead to management practices that minimize the damage to soils caused by wind erosion. Researchers collected airborne dust and samples of a type of organic soil susceptible to wind erosion from fields where potatoes, beets and onions had grown a few years earlier and exposed them to windy conditions using a portable wind tunnel. They characterized the bacteria they found in both the source soils and the wind-eroded sediments. The study’s results showed that certain types of bacteria, known as bacteroidetes, were more predominant in the fine dust. Other types, known as proteobacteria, were more predominant in coarse sediments.

(Source: ars.usda.gov)

Sugar Makes Vegetables More Palatable for Children Valerie Duffy, a dietician and researcher at the University of Connecticut, came up with the idea of sweetening vegetables to make them more palatable to young people. In this study, funded by the American Diabetes Association, researchers offered kids two servings of the same vegetable. In a double-blinded experiment, they lightly misted one serving with plain water and the other with a dilute solution of aspartame. Two out of three kids preferred the vegetables that had been sweetened. Duffy said the sweetener should not be of concern to parents as only small quantities are involved. She also suggested that once better eating habits are established the sweetener can be removed.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

University of Maine Battling Potato Blight University of Maine’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences graduate student Kristen Michelle Brown is working with two potato varieties from the university’s breeding program that will hopefully one day hold a late blight-resistant gene. “Late blight is a big problem in Aroostook County because the climate is so fantastic,” she said.

“The only way you can treat it is by pouring fungicides onto your plants. There are genes in a number of potato varieties that are late blight-resistant genes. The idea is that if you can get those genes into your potato varieties then you don’t have to use as much fungicide,” said Brown, whose research is a reproduction of a 1977 experiment by researcher William Fry. (Source: treehugger.com)

Mix-and-Match Cover Cropping Can Optimize Organic Production Farmers can fine-tune their use of cover crops to help manage costs and maximize benefits in commercial organic production systems, according to USDA scientists.

Agricultural Research Service horticulturalist Eric Brennan examined several different cover cropping strategies for an annual organic lettuce-broccoli production system. He selected three winter cover crops often grown in the Salinas, California, area—rye, mustard and a legume-rye mix—and planted each cover crop using either a typical seeding rate or a seeding rate that was three times higher. The legume-rye and rye cover crops produced approximately 25% more dry matter biomass than the mustard crops. But effectively suppressing weeds with the legumerye crops required seeding at three times the typical rate, while rye and mustard crops appeared to suppress weeds adequately with typical seeding rates.

(Source: ars.usada.gov)

California Farms Smaller Than National Average The average size of a California farm remains significantly smaller than the national average, according to a report released in February. The US Agriculture Department says the average California farm totaled 316 acres, compared to the national average of 421 acres. The report listed the number of farms in California at 80,500, down slightly from the previous year.

(Source: cfbf.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Test for Mercury-contaminated Water with a Mobile Phone Researchers have developed test sheets that change color when exposed to mercury in water, which will enable quick, cheap and on-site mercury detection. The results of the test can be determined by eye, but for more accuracy, the sheet can be photographed with a mobile phone and compared with color reference values using an image editor program on the phone. The test sheets contain rhodamine, a florescent organic compound that acts as the mercury sensor. The research team calibrated these sheets to change color when the mercury contamination in the water exceeds two parts per billion of divalent mercury-Hg(II).

(Source: treehugger.com)

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Maximum Yield USA  |  April 2013

New York Announces Funding for Food Hubs New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced recently that $3.6 million in state funding will be used to create food distribution hubs across the state. Four new facilities will be funded in central New York, the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and the North Country, in addition to an earlier food hub project on Long Island, creating more than 150 jobs in these regions and increasing access to healthy, local products for New York consumers.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

San Diego Avocado Industry in Decline Avocados in San Diego County are in decline and trees are being replaced with other crops. Grower Phil Pace bought 15 acres of property more than a year ago. Since then he says two water hikes— a 30% jump, followed by a 10% hike—have made the avocado crop too costly. According to the San Diego County Farm Bureau, in a fiveyear span, the avocado acreage in California went from 26,000 acres in 2007 to 17,673 acres.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

Microbes Team Up to Boost Plants’ Stress Tolerance While most farmers consider viruses and fungi potential threats to their crops, these microbes can help wild plants adapt to extreme conditions, according to Penn State virologist, Marilyn Roossinck. A team of researchers tested four different viruses and several different plants, including crops such as rice, tomato, squash and beets, and showed that the viruses increased the plants’ ability to tolerate drought. Virus infection also provided cold tolerance in some cases. Discovering how microbes collaborate to improve the hardiness of plants is a key to sustainable agriculture that can help meet increasing food demands, in addition to avoiding possible conflicts over scare resources, said Roossinck.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

The United States Adds 147 MW of Geothermal Energy in 2012 According to the Geothermal Energy Association, the United States added 147.05 MW of gross geothermal power capacity in 2012, which is 5% more than in 2011. That might not seem like much, but geothermal power has very desirable attributes that make it worth developing further; for instance, it generates power 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather.

(Source: treehugger.com)

Find Free Seeds By ‘Renting’ From a Library Seed libraries have sprouted up all over the place, though an interested person probably has an easier time finding a branch of their public book library than any local seed library. That’s why the Basalt Regional Library in Colorado has made it easier for patrons to find more than just books at their branch. Here’s how it works: a library card gets you a packet of seeds. You then grow the fruits and vegetables, harvest the new seeds from the biggest and best, and return those seeds so the library can lend them out to others.

(Source: treehugger.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

MIT Scientists Engineer Yeast Cells to Produce More Efficient Biofuels In the hunt to replace petroleum, scientists are looking for more efficient ways to produce biofuels from organisms. A team of researchers at MIT have engineered yeast to manufacture the heavy alcohol, isobutanol. Yeast normally creates isobutanol in small amounts, and by altering the cell so that the production takes place entirely in the mitochondria, the scientists were able to boost the amount of the chemical by 260%. While still not able to generate enough isobutanol on an industrial scale, the technology holds the potential to open up biosynthetic pathways for a whole host of other chemicals. Currently, the researchers are still working towards increasing the production of isobutanol while reducing the amount of ethanol, a major by-product of sugar breakdown.

(Source: inhabitat.com)

Local Food Movement a Game Changer for Established Producers A report released by Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group titled “Local Foods: Shifting the Balance of Opportunity for Regional U.S. Produce” finds that the growing local food movement, in which consumers seek out and purchase foods grown in closer proximity to them, is causing smaller regional producers to take market share from established producers who don’t qualify as locally sourced. This local food movement has evolved into a permanent mainstream trend, which is generating more opportunities for regional American growers, who traditionally had less market share than larger, more well-established national suppliers.

(Source: rabobank.com)

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT YOUR GUIDE TO THIS MONTH’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store Botanicare’s Slacker Tired of having to amend your own coco? Now you can be a slacker and experience the most cutting-edge coir-based soil ever developed. Slacker, available in moisture and aeration formulas, represents the latest innovation in hybrid grow media and was developed to meet the strictest demands of today’s growers. Slacker combines 100% high-pith coco fiber with carefully sourced organics, along with unique inputs such as Hydrolite and parboiled rice hulls. By combining a soilless coco coir base with a complete range of select organic inputs, Slacker allows you to achieve the highest possible yield without compromising quality. Slacker comes buffered, charged and pH balanced, so it's ready to use right out of the bag. Try Slacker today for increased growth rates and quality. For more information, stop by your local retail grow store.

MycoBlast by Supreme Growers

Agrotech Magnum Reflector 20-pack Agrotech Magnum Reflectors are now available in packs of 20.

These lightweight all-aluminum reflectors offer excellent reflectivity and diffusion with 95% reflective German aluminum. New and now fully assembled—just attach the socket assembly and you’re done!

The Agrotech Magnum Reflectors have the new industry-exclusive detachable 15-ft. lamp cord at the reflector and at the ballast.

Made in the United States, these products are ETL listed. The bulk 20 pack box offers plenty of economic savings. Visit a garden supply shop for more information.

MycoBlast Professional Series root inoculant is our 100% water-soluble, single-dose mycorrhizae inoculation. One application of MycoBlast permanently inoculates and protects young root systems. MycoBlast contains a powerful formulation of mycorrhizae species that builds a protective coating around roots as they grow.

MycoBlast grows a supplemental myco (fungal) root system capable of solubilizing locked up nutrition from the soil and delivering it directly to the plant as needed. MycoBlast provides a buffer to keep high-stress, heavy-feeding plants growing to their maximum potential.

Colorado-tested since 2009, MycoBlast has a new look, a new 50-State label and is now available nationwide. Ask for it at the garden supply store nearest you.

Colloidal Shield Using innovative technology, Silver Nutrient Solutions, LLC, manufactures the highest-grade ionic colloidal silver for hydroponic and agriculture use. Colloidal silver is a natural elemental antibiotic known to kill and prevent disease and pests and over 650 harmful pathogens. By adding Colloidal Shield to your nutrient solution or reservoir, nano particles of silver bind to—and suffocate—any pathogen present in your feeding solution, resulting in pathogen-free uptake into your plants! Besides being one of the purest elemental disinfectants on the market, Colloidal Shield works systemically when the silver is broken down by micro-organisms, in turn repairing damaged cell walls. For more information on Colloidal Shield, visit a retail shop near you.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

PurGro 1K4 Flip Ballast The 1K4 Flip Ballast is the product growers dream of and is now available at more and more retail stores. The 1K4 is like having eight ballasts all in one controller box, but for half the price. A deal like this is almost surreal. There is no other product like this on the market, so don’t hesitate to get this item.

Visit your local retailer for additional product details and specifications.

Liquid Ladybug by Eco Organics Liquid Ladybug™ is the only miticide safe to use on flowers. It suffocates— but does not poison—the mites and evaporates away, leaving no residue after treatment. It is 100% organic, safe to use from seedling to harvest, is lights-on safe and does not stress plants, thus allowing daily use, if desired. In addition, the Liquid Ladybug Mite Shield was invented to prevent reinfestation during and after treatment.

Wrapping a simple 0.5-in.-wide sponge strip soaked with Liquid Ladybug around the stem during treatment prevents mites and hatching eggs that fall out of plants into the growing medium from crawling up back into the plants.

Liquid Ladybug is a zero-environmental-impact pesticide safe for people, pets and plants. Ask about it at your local garden retailer today.

Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution We know it is extremely important to care for and store pH probes correctly. pH probes are sensitive glass instruments that age through normal use. The life and performance of pH probes is reduced heavily when they are stored dry. Remember, keep your pH probe wet—if it dries, it dies! Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution is made specifically for use with Bluelab pH products. Manufactured to high laboratory standards, it is designed to increase response time and maximize the life of Bluelab pH pens and probes. For best results, use the solution to store the pH probe after use, and hydrate monthly. Contact your local Bluelab retailer for more information.

The Roottrapper II The versatile and effective Roottrapper II is the only container that can grow with virtually any media and growing style. Unlike air pruning bags, the Roottrapper II uses a very different technique called roottrapping, which happens when the root tip grows into the fabric and gets stuck or trapped. Unable to continue to grow forward, the root is forced to branch.

This process is repeated over and over again as more roots meet the container wall, thus creating a fibrous, non-circling root system. Because these containers do not require the root tip to dry out, the Roottrapper II can be used effectively with continuous drip systems. Outdoors, the containers offer the additional benefit of keeping the root zone much cooler.

For more information, contact a garden supply store.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Sunleaves Garden Hoses now Available Every gardener needs a kink-resistant Sunleaves Heavy Duty Garden Hose.

This hose features a high burst pressure and standard brass couplings. The six-ply construction is reinforced with nylon for greater strength and durability.

The 6-ft. hose is the perfect length for watering indoor and square-foot gardens, while the 50-ft. version is suited to everyday lawn and garden projects.

The 10-year warranty on each means a Sunleaves Heavy Duty Garden Hose will be a long-term fixture in any garden. Locate a store near you to learn more.

Humbolt Wholesale Introduces the Indoor Gardening Guide Introducing the Indoor Gardening Guide, a comprehensive reference that covers all the topics needed to better understand the principles of gardening, both indoor and out. The Indoor Gardening Guide contains detailed information on subjects ranging from growing methods, hydroponic systems, nutrients and additives, lighting and lighting accessories, fans and filters, CO2, environment, pests and diseases, as well as all the different mediums available to gardeners today.

This book is a must-have for novice and advanced growers alike, so get your copy today.

For more information, visit a local garden supply store.

Natural Mistik Natural Mistik is an herb-based foliar spray intended for use on powdery mildew, molds and non-beneficial pests. Natural Mystik includes superfoods like noni and lavendar for fighting off pests like trichoderma and botrytis. Like all Dragonfly Earth Medicine products, Natural Mystik is organic and available through select garden retailers near you.

Sentinel Basic Line The Sentinel Basic line controllers are ready for the market. End-users and retailers alike spoke—and we listened! The new Basic line consists of analog interface temperature controls, humidity controls, timers and relays—just to name a few. Separate day and night settings, remote sensors for greater accuracy and robust construction are just some of many features setting Sentinel products apart from the competition. The Sentinel Basic line is ETL listed, RoHS-compliant for environmental sustainability and features the unmatched technical and product support that only Sentinel provides. For more information on these products, call or visit a grow store near you.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Sun Star Non Air Cooled and 6-in. A/C Reflector The Sun Star Non Air Cooled and 6-in. A/C Reflector is a small, compact hood that has an integrated socket and a 15-ft. lamp cord. The Sun Star Reflector is designed with a galvanized steel housing and a powder-coated finish for durability.

The Sun Star 6-in. A/C is completely sealed with double-gasketed glass for an airtight seal. Swing Stop retention cable keeps glass from abruptly swinging down. Both reflectors are made of 95% reflective European aluminum that offers excellent output and diffusion properties. Your plants will thank you! For more information, visit a local grow shop.

My Hydro Minerals by Eco Organics

X Nutrients

Eco Organics introduces My Hydro Minerals™, the worlds’ only magnetic vortex-activated mineral supplement for massive root growth, early maturity and higher yield for hydroponic growing. My Hydro Minerals is not a fertilizer; it makes all fertilizers work better. It is 62 ionic minerals extracted from ocean water that grow roots so fast and dense in six weeks that you can’t stick a finger through them. Tests have produced roots so massive and fast that treated plants are maturing two to four weeks earlier than untreated plants, thus shortening the time to harvest. This indicates that the number of crops per year can be increased for an additional crop-per-year yield even though the amount of fertilizer and energy in that time is unchanged. For more information, visit a hydronics supply store.

X Nutrients is leading the way in hydroponic nutrients for gardeners and greenhouse systems. X Nutrients’ goal is to help you grow stronger, bigger, healthier and higher yielding plants. Their various products will help you through all growth stages, from vegetative to flowering and fruiting stages, and maximize the full potential of your plants. X Nutrients products include: Amino Blast, which adds a blast of essential amino acids to your plants; Bloom FX, a bloom booster designed to give you larger, fuller and denser flowers; Bloom Nutrients, which is designed for the flowering or fruiting stages of a plant and is pH buffered; Micro Nutrients, which provides all the important secondary nutrients necessary for proper growth, is pH buffered and is used with Grow and Bloom Nutrients; and pH Up/Down, which regulates your pH and helps to make the most out of your nutrients. For more information, visit a garden retailer near you.

Quest Equipment Introduces the QUEST Dry 180 The QUEST Dry 180 is the ideal solution for most small growrooms. With capacity up to 180 pints (86ºF/80% RH), the 180 will pull approximately 90 pints (80ºF/60%RH) in a typical growroom. The QUEST Dry 180 was designed to be installed overhead, and can be placed on a small shelf or even set on the floor for immediate plug-and-play performance. When extra space is required, an optional duct kit is available which allows the unit to be placed outside of the growroom. The affordable QUEST Dry 180 is nearly 40% more energy efficient, 30% smaller and almost 50% lighter than other 180-pint units, and, like all QUEST dehumidifiers, comes with a five-year warranty. It also contains environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant, and a MERV-11 filter comes standard with each unit. For more information, stop by your nearest hydroponic retail store.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Pro Cal Thermoformed Round Pots Pro Cal is a leading manufacturer of nursery containers for the professional grower from coast to coast. The products are designed to maximize versatility in growing operations, promote plant growth and protect plants during transport. These heavyduty containers are made from durable polypropylene material, are designed to ensure your flowers stay upright, and feature strong rims and a wide base for easy handling and shipping.

Thermoformed Round pots contain your costs and help grow your bottom line! To learn more, visit a hydroponics retail store.

SuperCloset's SuperLocker 3.0 Tight spaces and places were the impetus for the design of the SuperLocker 3.0 by SuperCloset, Inc. The SuperLocker 3.0 is a 66- by 15- by 24-in. stealthy grow cabinet that features a dual-chamber configuration. The top chamber is a mini-veggie chamber powered by a T5 light and supported by a 10-plant site SuperCloner hydroponic system. A SuperLocker 3.0 operator utilizes this mini-veggie chamber to start seedlings and propagate smaller plants and clones. The bottom flowering chamber is powered by a 150-W lighting system (upgradeable to 250 W) and supported by the SuperPonic-8 hydroponic system, which features both a top-feed-drip and deep-water-culture hydroponic application that feeds eight healthy plants at a time. The SuperLocker 3.0 is the perfect hydroponic grow box cabinet small spaces.

Contact a local garden supply shop for more information.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

BudCharge

by Supreme Growers After years of research and development, Supreme Growers is proud to present a truly unique flowering formulation that is not your same old PK booster. BudCharge is a powerful concentrate of natural plant extracts with specific benefits for fruit-bearing and flowering plants. Our proprietary blend is a stabilized and isolated concentration proven to have huge benefits for indoor gardeners. Developed at the Growlab in Fort Collins, Colorado, BudCharge is now available nationwide. Ask for it at your nearest garden supply store.

TurboKlone's BioGuardian Introducing BioGuardian Trays by TurboKlone, the ultimate highperformance, low-maintenance grow trays. Our Clean Surface Technology makes algae and bacteria buildup a thing of the past.

Combine that with curved corners and rounded edges for easy and complete cleaning, and you have no more need for highpressure washers or relentless scrubbing. The innovative cyclone design drains from the center to the perimeter, eliminating water stagnation and promotes thorough drainage. Ultra-thick, durable UV protected ABS plastic creates superior-quality material for long-lasting professional performance. Made with recycled plastic in the United States, this product is patent pending. For more information, ask for BioGuardian at your local garden supply store.

The Versaponic Growth System The Versaponic Growth System combines all the ponics in a single system, and is designed for seed and clone propagation with aeroponics from start to finish. This product's features include a locking modular design, humidity dome with digital hygrometer and temp, and upper growth chamber (2 or 3 in. or custom sized). The lower growth chamber doubles as an ebband-flow table and a separate reservoir keeps your roots out of the water. The sprayer assembly and pump are inexpensive, and everything is easy to clean. Made in the United States from recycled ABS plastics and UV treated for years of use, this system easily modifies from injection-feed to drip, fog and DWC for true versatile hydroponics. We also feature LED and solar packages for the unplugged experience. For more information, visit a hydroponics supply store in your area.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Xtreme Gardening's Mykostart Mykostart All-purpose Plant Starter Paks are an efficient and easy method of feeding new transplants.

Add to plant holes, backfill and remember to water; it’s that simple. Slow-release organic and natural fertilizers are combined with root-boosting mycorrhizae in a unique biodegradable pack that keeps nutrients in the root zone—right where they need to be. More nutrients near the roots means more nutrients in the fruits. For more information, visit a local retailer.

The AquaBundance Modular Aquaponics System The AquaBundance Modular line of aquaponics systems are serious food producing systems for serious aquaponic gardeners. You select the sizes of the grow beds and fish tank, and how many grow beds you want given your available growing space and budget. We do the rest. You also have the option to start small and expand later. Every AquaBundance system comes complete with everything needed to get started on your aquaponics journey. Each system is designed and fully tested by Alan and Sylvia Bernstein of The Aquaponic Source.

AquaBundance systems, which are made in the United States with the highest-quality food-and-fish safe materials, also come with our outstanding, user-tested assembly instructions, and are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. For more information, visit your nearest hydroponics retailer.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

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Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

SuperCloset Deluxe 3.0 In response to customer feedback, SuperCloset, Inc., released the Deluxe 3.0 to replace the Deluxe 2.0. From its humble beginning over 10 years ago, the Deluxe has maintained its perennial status as the best-value grow box hydroponic cabinet on the indoor gardening market. Standing in at an impressive 72 by 36 by 24 in., the split-chamber, dual-lighted Deluxe 3.0 exhibits all the success of years of constant design improvement. The top flower chamber features a professionally air-cooled, closed-loop, 400-W (upgradeable to 600-W) lighting system and the SuperPonics-16 dual hydroponics system that features top-feed-drip and deep-water-culture hydroponic methodologies. The separate veggie chamber includes a T5 lighting system and the SuperCloner-50 hydroponics system, which is a bubbleponics hydroponics application. Together, these two chambers comprise one of the best grow cabinets available. Contact a local grow shop for more information.

Eco Organic’s PM Remover PM Remover® is the only one-shot cure for powdery mildew that kills mold and spores on contact. It’s like a sulfur burner without the sulfur burner. It’s an organic-based, fast-acting fungicide using a high-sulfur-content, organic, unscented garlic micro powder.

It mixes easily into water to be sprayed directly on powdery mildew infected plants. Once an area is sprayed with PM Remover, spores cannot penetrate the leaf to reestablish the colony. Any sprayed parts are not able to be reinoculated, ending the infection wherever sprayed. PM Remover is safe to use with your lights on and on flower tissue, making it perfect for all crops. For more information, ask your local retailer.

Manage Air and Water with Elemental Solutions The new Elemental Solutions line of air and water pumps, air diffusion devices and water chillers allows you to manage water movement, oxygenation and temperature control wherever it’s needed. These reliable products operate quietly and efficiently. The wide range of sizes and capacities available means there are models to suit any application, from hobbyist to commercial. Visit a store near you to learn more.

Saturn 3 Titan Controls is at it again, and they’d like to announce the newest addition to their product line: the Saturn 3—Day & Night Temperature, Humidity and CO2 controller with optional auxiliary heating and high-temperature shut-off modules. It features a wide range of controls, including: cooling/heating, dehumidify/humidify and CO2 enrichment via a CO2 regulator or generator.

This adds up to a whole bunch of features in a compact, total room controller. The plant-friendly green LEDs show your growroom conditions at a glance.

The Saturn 3 has been ETL listed for use in commercial applications.

It's easy to understand and easy to use—Titan Controls are built for simplicity. For more information, visit a grow shop near you.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

TurboKlone's TurboGrow Introducing TurboGrow by TurboKlone, an aeroponic fog growing system with amazing versatility. Utilize the speed and convenience of a fine mist or fog to grow from cutting to bloom. Fog nutrient transport allows cuttings to root faster and grow more robust, nourished and decay-free. Nutrient-enriched fog promotes a hair-like root system, which increases surface area and provides the plant with maximum consumption of water, nutrition and oxygen. The generator has a built-in timer, which provides ultimate fog interval control. Optional lids allow the user to customize the system based on what is being grown. This product comes with either a 15-site lid (used with 4-in. net pots) or an eight-site lid (used with 5-in. net pots). For more information, ask for TurboGrow at your local garden supply store.

Light Up with VitaLUME CFLs VitaLUME CFLs provide full-spectrum light for vigorous plant growth. These internally ballasted compact fluorescent lights generate very little heat and can be placed closer to plants to maximize light exposure. The 125-W VitaLUME Daylight’s color temperature of 6,400 K encourages strong vegetative growth, while the 125-W VitaLUME Warm has a color temperature of 2,700 K and is ideal for flowering. A VitaLUME CFL has a 10,000-hour life and carries a one-year warranty. To learn more, visit your favorite hydroponics shop.

Xtreme Gardening Presents Azos Start rooting and get growing naturally! Azos is a beneficial microbe that can enhance growth while boosting root development. Great for rooting new cuttings naturally and fueling abundant growth during your vegetative cycle. Now available in 8-lb. sizes. For more information, visit a local retailer.

SoilBlast by Supreme Growers SoilBlast introduces powerful beneficial bacteria and fungi starter colonies that foster strong, vigorous growth while providing organic protection from pathogens and disease. SoilBlast is an OMRI-listed organic soil supercharger, formulated specifically for high-performance indoor container gardens. Quality-minded gardeners use SoilBlast to maximize organic activity at the root zone. SoilBlast is designed to work with both synthetic and organic nutrient packages. Introduced to the Colorado markets in 2009, SoilBlast has a new look, a new 50-State label and is now available nationwide. Ask for it at the garden supply store nearest you.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Xtreme Gardening's Kryptomite Super Wash for Mites and Mildew Washing your plants with Kryptomite is fast and easy. Its ready-touse proprietary formula is food grade, non-toxic and acceptable for use in organic crop production. Wash off those pesky critters and crawlers, and let powdery mildew become a thing of the past. This product is natural and safe for use during all stages of a plant’s life cycle, as well as during and after harvest.

With Kryptomite, plant ailments and diseases can be prevented by practicing regular cleanings and timely attention to problems.

Kryptomite wash, available in a 16-oz. up-down sprayer, is the ultimate solution for natural gardening maintenance. For more information, visit a local retailer.

Exact Cap Nutrient Measuring Cup Kit The Exact Cap Nutrient Measuring Cup Kit comes complete with a detachable 2-oz. measuring cup, three nutrient bottle caps with tethered plugs, three cap seals, three O-rings and three trimmable pieces of 11-in. tubing. The Exact-Cap fits most quart and gallon bottles and ensures no nutrient spilling or cross contamination due to upward flow. Its easy, exact measurements of your nutrients saves both time and eliminates nutrient waste. The Exact Cap Nutrient Measuring Cup Kit is available at select garden shops near you.

Maverick Sun Seedling Tray and Dome Maverick Sun introduces its brand new line of seedling trays, inserts and domes for seedling propagation and early plant development. Our trays feature custom water canals for even water distribution, and can range in size from 24 to 72 sites. Our inserts, instead of having a combined sheet of sites, come in individual inserts with six sites each for custom mix-and-match seedling propagation. Our domes have a 7-in. clearance, two ventilation shafts with adjustable vents on the top and a top handle for convenient access to the interior of your dome and tray. For more information, visit your favorite grow shop.

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Tasty Tomatoes

Most people have tasted, or rather not tasted, hydroponically-grown tomatoes during the off-season.

Dampened by the cold of winter, consumers are looking for that taste of warmer times only to be rewarded with a shell of the summer tomato. Color, taste, firmness and selection are usually severally lacking. There is still much experimentation that is needed until we produce a great tomato in the winter, but research is truly a work in progress. While breeding programs have brought us closer to a better-flavored tomato, the scope of this article will focus on the cultural practices that should enhance the palate response. With that said, genetics should focus not only on storage qualities (shelf life, skin thickness, disease resistance for plants, etc.) but on promoting those factors associated with superior taste, which include but are not limited to soluble solids (measured by a refractometer in Brix %), pH and organic acids. Now let’s dive into the chemicals and the factors influencing tomato flavor.

Generally a good-flavored tomato possesses both a high amount of sugars and a high amount of acids.”

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With plant genetics aside, let’s focus on certain compounds that impact flavor. Tomatoes are roughly 90% water with the solids representing 5% to 7% of the dry weight. Tomato fruit flavor is generally created from the ratio of carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose) to organic acids (citric and malic acid). Generally a good-flavored tomato possesses both a high amount of sugars and a high amount of acids. Likewise, bland tomatoes contain a high amount of sugars to a low amount of acids. As the tomato matures, the amount of sucrose (imparts a sweet flavor) decreases as starch (not so sweet) increases. Starch consists of many linked units of glucose acting as an energy storage reserve. From this reserve, the readily metabolizable glucose units can be cleaved off for the plant’s use.

When a traditional red tomato is changing from the orange to red color, the acidity drops, which increases the fruit’s pH. This has important ramifications to harvesting as tomatoes that are fully vine ripened might have a reduced blend of acid to sugar. However, the ripening process is ethylene dependent. This plant hormone gives rise to lycopene (antioxidant/carotenoid) production, the causative agent in red color change.

Therefore, the implication of early harvest might slightly reduce the rising pH, but will impact the flavor attributed to lycopene that is maximized during the deep red stage of ripening. In the book Tomato Plant Culture, it is stated that the recent genetic breeding programs of tomatoes have favored increased yields, shelf life and skin thickness with the negative side effect of an increase in fruit pH. Further stating, this is why so many consumers are shifting back to the heirloom varieties as the pH is generally lower than the recent hybrid cousins and therefore generally regarded as better tasting.

So now you might be asking, “How can I produce tomatoes that are high in both sugar and acid?” While some of these

Tasty Tomatoes

subsequent points below are not directly tied to flavor, they do promote healthier, more productive plants, which when coupled with the right cultivar should produce better tasting tomatoes.

Maintain ideal temperature range of 77oF daytime to 65oF nighttime Ideal and constant temperatures will influence the biochemical reactions related to the water, carbohydrate and organic acid content of the ripened fruit. Proper growing temperatures will also improve yields by increasing pollination capability and decreasing fruit drop.

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Expose plant to high/full light Saturation of light by leaf receptors will maximize photosynthesis and subsequent carbohydrates that will be used for a myriad of biochemical reactions including fruit production.

Utilize a nutrient formula geared toward optimal tomato production The nitrogen ratio should be derived from nitrates more than ammonia. In addition, keeping the ratio of potassium to nitrogen high will promote thicker skin that should reduce skin cracking.

Fertilize with a slightly higher EC at 3.5 dS/m Ensuring a higher level of fertilizer is probably beneficial in a two-fold manner. In one regard, maintaining adequate levels of nutrients, like calcium, will not only improve plant vigor, but in the case of high cytosolic calcium, reduce the prevalence of blossom end rot. Secondly, the increased fertilizer (salt content) could contribute to the benefits of slight saline stress as detailed below.

Tasty Tomatoes

Experimentation by growers with new and emerging cultivars coupled with ideal cultural practices will continue to improve the tomato flavor closer to its summer relative.”

Avoid periods of drought stress followed by excess watering during cultivation Drought stress has been linked to fruit cracking and blossom end rot. Proper irrigation will go a long way in reducing both.

Store ripening tomatoes in warm temperatures

Add of sodium chloride at 35 ppm

Temperatures below 400F will cease enzymatic activity necessary for maturity.

Research studies have shown a correlation between slight salt stress and higher accumulation of soluble solids in particular sugars, organic acids and amino acids. At first one might be inclined to think this is merely a function of salt removing water from the fruit and thereby concentrating the sugar, organic acids, etc. However, one study showed that during initial fruit development, salt stress caused a doubling of starch in the fruit that subsequently increased the soluble sugars in the ripened fruit. It appears that slight saline stress at the time of initial fruit development could be advantageous, but constant saline stress likely would lead to decreased vigor of the plant and decreased yield and size of the fruit.

In conclusion, both genetics and cultural practices play a pivotal role in the overall taste of the tomato fruit. In general the smaller cherry and grape tomatoes have a higher total soluble solids (Brix %) relative to the larger ones like beefsteak.

Experimentation by growers with new and emerging cultivars coupled with ideal cultural practices will continue to improve the tomato flavor closer to its summer relative.

For more information on growing tomatoes in the greenhouse or field, refer to the book Tomato Plant Culture in the literature cited.

References Fraser, P.D., Enfissi, E. M.A., Halket, J. M., Trusdale, M.R., Yu, D., Gerrish, C., and P. M. Bramley. 2007. “Manipulation of Phytoene Levels in Tomato Fruit: Effects on Isoprenoids, Plastids, and Intermediary Metabolism.” The Plant Cell. 19:3194-3211.

Helyes, L., Dimeny, J., Pek, Z., and A. Lugasi. 2006. “Effect of Maturity Stage on Content, Color, and Quality of Tomato Fruit.” International Journal of Horticultural Science. 12(1): 41-44.

Helyes, L., and Z. Pek.2006. “Tomato fruit Quality and Content Depend on Stage of Maturity.”HortScience. 41(6):1400-1401 Jones Jr., J. B. Tomato Plant Culture: In the Field, Greenhouse, and Home Garden 2nd Edition. CRC Press, 2008; pg. 71,74, 77, 101, 103, 105-106, 109, 111, 114-117.

Morgan, L. 1997. “Organic Fertilizers for Hydroponics.” Growing Edge, 9(2):32-39.

Peet, M. M.(Ed.) Sustainable Practices for Vegetable Production in the South.

Focus Publishing, Newburyport, MA, 1996; pg. 149-157.

Yin, YG, Kobayashi, Y., Sanuki, A., Kondo, S., Fukuda., Ezura, H., Sugaya, S., and C. Matsukura. 2010. “Salinity Induces Carbohydrate Accumulation and sugar-regulated Starch Biosynthetic Genes in Tomato Fruits in an ABA-and osmotic stress-independent Manner.” Journal of Experimental Biology. 61:563-574.

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beginner's corner

w o r G r u o Y Own : d o Fo

The Top Five Easiest Crops for Beginning Gardeners

by Kristen McKenzie

Finding space isn’t the biggest issue when it comes to starting your own food garden. The biggest issue is knowing what the best starter crops are.

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No matter

Growing one’s own produce is a nutritious, affordable alternative to the chemical-laden harvests and costly organic fare offered at the local supermarket. No matter if you have got a large backyard or a tiny apartment balcony, it’s possible to reap your own tasty fruits and veggies with minimal fuss or effort. The trick, of course, is in knowing which crops to start with. Whether you are a newbie gardener still finding your green thumb or you are a seasoned pro seeking to grow the most low-maintenance produce possible, here are the top five hardy crops guaranteed to thrive with the least amount of exertion possible. Bonus: all of these plants can be grown in pots and they’re even able to survive a little neglect here and there.

if you have got a large backyard or a tiny apartment balcony, it’s possible to reap your own tasty fruits and veggies with minimal fuss or effort.”

Potatoes This sturdy crop can be grown in straw or soil, and is easy to store once harvested (just be sure to keep in a cool, dark place). Potatoes grow quickly and can be planted successively for the greatest yield possible. You can grow these tasty nuggets by either purchasing seed potatoes at your local nursery or by simply planting old potatoes that have sprouted in the cupboard. Cover your starting tuber under 9.75 in. of soil and be sure to regularly mound dirt and mulch around the plant as it grows. If you water regularly (potatoes require 1 to 2 in. of water per week) and provide adequate light, your spuds will be ready to harvest two to three months later.

Tip: Potatoes are vulnerable to frost, so be sure to plant following the last frosts of the winter season.

Strawberries Gardeners can easily achieve bountiful amounts of this sweet berry by exerting a little love and care. To begin your fruitful relationship with the strawberry, buy some certified disease-free starter plants from your local nursery or gardening center. If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, even a few plants can produce decent yields. Plant them in your desired garden bed or pot (autumn and winter months are best), sprinkle with a handful of fertilizer (tomato food is a good option), give plenty of access to sunshine, water regularly and you’ll be enjoying strawberry parfaits in no time.

Tip: Although the strawberry is considered a perennial by some, it provides its best results in the first year and should be replaced with new stock after three years.

Tomatoes

This wildly popular crop can grow nearly anywhere and in any kind of soil. Tomatoes can be nurtured from seeds, but the easier option is to get started with seedlings (select short, sturdy plants over tall, lanky ones, as these will last longer and produce better yields). As with the other crops on this list, tomatoes require two basic ingredients—water and sunshine—to thrive. Sprinkle here and there with sulfate of potash for an especially fertile crop, and place several stakes around the plant so that side shoots can sturdily continue growing upwards.

Tip: Throughout the winter months, cover your tomato plant with plastic to create a mini greenhouse effect and to protect from cold winds.

Chili peppers Not only are these fiery crops easy to grow, but they also add a nice dash of color to a garden and are a great way to spice up any dish. Chili peppers can falter in colder climates, so seedlings should be planted in their permanent location at least two weeks after the last frost. This crop does need a bit more time to mature, so be patient; peppers should become ready for picking six to eight weeks after the plant blooms.

Tip: Chili peppers can become hotter when left on the vine to ripen fully, so decide what level of heat you desire when choosing your harvest time.

Lettuce This leafy crop can essentially be grown year-round; however, it does prefer cooler weather, so ensure it gets plentiful water and shade during the hot summer months.

It’s also extremely inexpensive to produce and a variety of seed packages can be purchased at low cost from any garden center.

Tip: Cos lettuce (also known as romaine) is one of the fastest and easiest varieties to grow. It also works great for a Caesar salad.

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Super Starts: Healthier Transplants for Happier Harvests

by Erik Biksa

Professional athletes know that the best finishes come from a strong start. Same goes for experienced croppers and their plants.

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Super Starts Like all races, your road to victory in the garden is about going the distance. However, just like professional athletes, experienced croppers also know that the best finishes come from a strong start. If you get hung-up coming out of the gate, you might finish the race, but it there is little or no chance of it being the best performance possible.

So, let’s break it down into those important first steps. By better understanding each of these steps and, most importantly, how one lends more power to the next in the succession, you will be well-trained this season and stand an excellent chance of making this your best garden harvest ever (be it outdoors, in a greenhouse or even under grow lights).

It’s worth noting that there are selections of commercially propagated plants available at the grocery store, your local garden center or maybe even your local hydroponics shop

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to start your garden. These can be convenient and easy, especially if you aren’t growing for a living. Be warned, though; while you can take home some great starts, you can also take home problems (for example, insects and diseases). If you can’t talk to who grew your transplants, there can also be uncertainty as to whether or not they were sprayed with chemicals that could harm you or lessen the yield potential from your crop. This makes an even stronger case for growing your own, especially if you make your living from your crops and if you have a short season (meaning you can only bank on getting one crop planted and harvested). In other words, there’s a lot riding on the quality of your starts.

Prepare for success Fact is, the majority of the work that needs to be done when starting new plants typically has more to do with setting up to plant rather than the act of planting itself. Farmers know the importance of creating a proper seed bed: firm, but not hard, and of finer texture that still drains freely. If you are using a medium to start cuttings or seeds, that description still fits. Commercial peat or coco-based soilless mixes work great (especially if starting from seeds) and can be used to fill cell trays that fit into a standard 10- by 20-in. propagation dome/tray set-up.

There are specially made plugs available too, with rockwool being just one of the choices. Different mediums will have different pretreatment requirements in order to stabilize the pH or provide/remove nutrients.

Some mixes and plugs are ready to use right out of the package. Also, make sure your medium is sterile or else rots and other problems could occur easily in the warm, moist environment created.

Inoculating your seeds and cuttings and encouraging them to be extra healthy is easy with additions of B vitamins and beneficial soil fungus (for example, mycorrhizae and trichoderma). Bacillus strains of bacteria also promote bigger and healthier root systems that resist the bad guys, which can occur in the soil.

To get the best bang for your buck, you can soak your seeds for a short period in good-quality water mixed with ¼- to 1/8- strength beneficial inoculants and B vitamins. Once your seeds are planted and have emerged, you water with this solution until they need a regular fertilizer program, which could also include

super starts some of the beneficials you’re already using.

It’s also a good idea to start with new trays and domes every time you propagate (be sure to recycle them after you’re done). For the cost, relative to how many healthy transplants you can start in a single tray, it is worth the peace of mind. However, if you prefer, mild bleach solutions and lots of rinsing can be used to sterilize and reuse plastic materials. Ninety-nine percent pure isopropyl alcohol is also effective; just use in a well-ventilated area away from sparks or flames. Nonetheless, note that plastics can get porous; so, overtime, you could be leaving behind harmful pathogens that can quickly infect the next batch of new plants.

having the

right balance of oxygento-water around stems to root or germinating seeds is critical to having a fast and healthy trouble-free start.”

Mastering balance Learning what the correct moisture content is for your propagation medium can take a little practice; in fact, it can years to perfect. Newbies tend to over soak it (A.K.A. killing with love), while veterans might get lazy and give a light mist once in a while to even out moisture to the different cells in the tray. However, having the right balance of oxygen-to-water around stems to root or germinating seeds is critical to having a fast and healthy trouble-free start.

With peat and coir mixes, you can learn to watch the color of the medium. As it goes from dark to light, it is losing moisture. Of course, lifting the dome and touching with a

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Ready to plant; just add rooted cuttings or seedlings.

Super Starts clean finger is perfectly acceptable way to test for moisture.

While we’re on the topic of water, using RO filtered water that has been remineralized with nutrients, vitamins, humates, etc. helps ensure that the water is free of harmful contaminants (including disease-causing organisms) while removing chlorine, which would hurt the beneficial life you introduced into your propagating medium.

Knowing when to push and when to breathe Some seeds need light to germinate, although most will pop up in dark conditions when provided with the right temperature range and moisture. However, once a tiny seedling emerges, it will need light. It’s important to get this right—with cuttings, lighting is a critical factor. The right photoperiod (duration of light to dark) and the right intensity can make all of the difference between developing a strong healthy root system in a short time frame or having the cuttings lag during rooting, making them very weak and pale by the time they are ready to plant.

When plants absorb light wavelengths, they combine this light energy with the chemical energy from air and water (CO2 for leaves, O2 for roots) and nutrients to form glucose (C6H12O6). Then, when it’s dark, they grow by burning the sugars they made during the light cycle.

However, temperature is king. In fact, deciding the intensity of artificial light you give your seedlings and transplants will often have more to do with temperature, as they are sealed up tight underneath a humidity dome.

This is because seedlings or cuttings can get dehydrated in environments that are too warm since they can’t keep up with the water demand on a non-existent or newly developing root system. As a rule of thumb, light-loving plants like fluorescent lighting kept at a distance of 6 to 12 in. and HID lighting at least a couple feet away from their tops. For cuttings, this author finds between 800 and 1,200 lumens of T5 lighting provides the best results. Two 4-ft. long tubes roots two 1,020 trays nicely. Seedlings can start with similar lighting conditions.

Maintaining steady temperature of about 80°F in the humidity dome typically gives the best balance between fast development and less risk of problems. Usually maintaining a light cycle of 18 hours on proves optimal for most varieties, however, if it gets colder with the lights out, the lights can be left on 24/7. If it gets too warm under the covered dome, you’ll need to move the light source further away. Keep in mind though that venting warm air away with powerful vent fans is not advisable, even with a snug fitting dome.

When the time is right Once about 75% of the seedlings have emerged or cuttings are showing roots, it’s time for the young crop to gradually get acquainted with the outside world. If left under the dome for longer, they will stretch and grow soft and weak, thus wasting your earlier efforts to promote optimal health. Start by taking the dome off for an hour 72

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Super Starts or two and then recover by letting it sit covered for a few more hours. Then uncover for longer. If no signs of wilting appear, your plants are ready to stand uncovered.

At this point, if going outdoors right away, you might want to harden your plants off by putting them outside in cooler conditions and then bringing them back in, repeating the process until they get acclimated to outdoor weather. Watch out for strong breezes or intense light, as tender young transplants can get fried quickly. Insects and animals would love to eat your seedlings, so take care here too. Keep in mind that bigger plants stand a better chance outdoors.

If you are going to keep growing indoors, which is advisable, you will want to do what savvy indoor growers do. That’s to pre-veg your plants before introducing them to more intensive growing conditions. This way the young plants experience no

hiccups early on and end up producing maximized yields.

Pre-growth tactics

Instead of putting plants straight outside or even indoors into more intensive full-on vegetative growing conditions, it pays to provide them with a healthy adolescence before they become young adults. This way they will be revving to go for the big race ahead, and will have bulked up enough on the top and bottom to resist troubles and grow big.

One of the best and easiest methods to accomplish this is by planting into small pots (or beer cups with drain holes—beer cups are great because they are deeper than wide so you can still fit lots of plants under one light fixture). At this point, keep fluorescent lights just off the tops of the plants (if using

Some seeds

need light to germinate, although most will pop up in dark conditions when provided with the right temperature range and moisture.”

Large and healthy transplants stand a better chance of getting harvested outdoors. Smaller plants are damaged or killed easily in nature.

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Super Starts

Healthy root systems like this take time and preparation, but they lead to maximized yields later.

metal halide lighting, about 1,600 to 2,000 lumens is ideal).

Also, provide a gentle breeze with a small fan. At this point, bioactivity is good; so, step it up. Go light on nutes and heavier on things like vitamins, bacteria, fungi, humates, fulvates and amino acids. This will encourage strong healthy root development without making your plants stretch. Also, let them dry out a little between waterings (but don’t let them wilt) now that the plants have some roots to stand on. You will have hardier, studier plants that are better able to withstand stresses. However, while your plants are growing up and able to resist a bit more, do keep a watchful eye so that you don’t accidentally stress or dry out your valuable starts.

After ten to fourteen days in this pre-veg stage, your plants should be very well-established and ready to transplant into larger containers or well-prepared planting holes. However, if the leaves don’t look vibrant or healthy, or you see signs of troubles from insect or diseases on them, hold off on planting. Plants are much easier to treat and handle while they are smaller, so it’s much easier to nip the problem in the bud (so to speak) at this stage. In other words, don’t ignore a problem if you do see one!

They rarely go away on their own.

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After ten

to fourteen days in this pre-veg stage, your plants should be very well-established and ready to transplant.”

Super start tips •

Be careful with heat mats; they can get too warm and cause rots and other problems.

•

Lift the dome off for a few minutes every day and wipe the condensation off with a clean paper towel.

•

Humates and fulvates are completely natural ingredients and promote healthier and bigger root systems.

•

Foliar spray only if you have to; standing moisture on foliage is a gateway for pathogens and is best avoided if possible.

•

Set it up right and then leave it alone; your young plants want a stable and regular environment, so do it right the first time.

Super starts are the key to a successful crop; so, follow the advice above and you’ll be well on your way to a growing victory!

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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growing for health

Feeling Low: Problems

by Guy Sela

with Acidic Soil

Many growers have a problem of low pH in their soil or growing media. Some soils are acidic by nature and, in other cases, low pH is the result of prolonged and intensive fertilization and irrigation.

In growing media, pH changes are much more rapid than in soils. Although various growing media are available with different baseline/starting pH levels, the effect of fertilization and irrigation on their pH levels can be enormous.

Soil pH below 5.5 might result in reduced yields and damages to the crop. Under these pH conditions the availability of micronutrients such as Mn, Al and Fe increases, and toxicity problems of micronutrients might occur.

On the other hand, at low pH, availability of other essential nutrients, such as K, Ca and Mg is decreased and might result in deficiencies.

Common causes of low soil pH Prior to applying materials that increase pH, make sure that the low pH is not caused by an inappropriate fertilization regime. Often, an adjustment of such a regime could solve the acidity problem.

This is especially true for growing media (soilless media). The ammonium/nitrate ratio is a major factor that can determine the media pH, and it can be controlled by proper fertilizer application.

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In soils, intensive fertilization with ammoniumbased fertilizers or ammonium-forming fertilizers (urea) could lower soil pH. Other factors affecting soil pH include:

Parent material - type of rocks from which the soil developed.

Rainfall - soils under high rainfall conditions are more acidic than soils formed under dry conditions.

Soil organic matter - soil organisms are continuously decomposing organic matter. The net effect of their activity is that hydrogen ions are released and the soil becomes more acidic.

Native vegetation - the type of the native vegetation under which the soil was formed affects the pH of the soil. Soils formed under forest vegetation tend to be more acidic.

Raising soil pH using lime The most commonly used technique to elevate the soil pH is applying agricultural lime. Solubility of lime is relatively low, so if it is applied only to the soil surface, it usually affects only the top layer of the soil, not more than an inch or so deep.

In soilless media, lime should be incorporated into the media prior to planting and the process is usually logistically difficult. Waiting until after planting only makes it more complicated, because the lime should then be individually applied to each growing container or each plant. Again, due to its very low solubility, it’s impossible to apply it through irrigation.

Solubility of lime is relatively low, so if it is applied only to the soil surface, it usually affects only the top layer of the soil, not more than an inch or so deep.�

Raising soil pH using potassium carbonate Unlike lime, potassium carbonate is highly soluble and therefore can be applied by drip irrigation. Due to its high solubility, potassium carbonate can be easily distributed throughout the root zone together with irrigation water and reach deeper soil profile. In both soils and growing media, potassium carbonate can rapidly affect chemical reactions in the root zone, thus elevating root zone pH. Irrigation with water that has a low buffering capacity (low bicarbonate content) might drastically decrease pH levels in growing media. In this case, and especially when using inert media, pH drop can present a constant problem.

Applying potassium carbonate periodically, or even regularly as part of the fertilization program, can prevent the pH drop.

Potassium carbonate as a fertilizer Potassium carbonate also contributes potassium to the nutrient content of the irrigation water. Therefore, potassium carbonate can be regarded as a fertilizer and its K contribution should be considered. When applying potassium carbonate through the irrigation water, it is important to keep the pH below 7.0 in order to avoid emitter clogging. Sometimes growers need to increase the buffer capacity of the irrigation water, while keeping pH levels low enough. In this case, it is possible to add potassium carbonate to water, and at the same time to acidify the water. The acid will neutralize some of the carbonate ions, while the pH level will still be low enough to prevent emitter clogging.

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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Undergoing an

c i n a g r O Transformation

1,607 words Undergoing an Organic Transformation Eric Hopper

by Eric Hopper

3.5

Over th e have b past few yea ecome produc more e rs, many peo p t d at how ion technique ucated in or le g t s h the hor is educatio . Here’s a cl anic o n ticultur al indu has helped t ser look ra str y as a whol nsform e.

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Undergoing an organic transformation Many people are becoming more educated in organic production techniques and, in turn, realizing the multifaceted benefits of organic goods. In horticulture, consumer demand has sparked an increase in organically grown products. This trend can also be seen throughout the country as more and more grocery stores steadily increase their inventory of organic foods. The consumer’s reasons for supporting organic agriculture can vary greatly. Many consumers are taking a moral objection to the methods deemed acceptable by current conventional food producers. Consumers are concerned about the potential health hazards associated with the consumption of chemical pesticides and genetically modified foods that are all too common in conventional agriculture. The environmental impact has many customers turning away from conventional products and embracing organics as well. It is not just tree huggers on this bandwagon, though. The general public is gaining knowledge about the negative impacts that chemical pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and preserving agents can have, not only on our health, but also on the health of the environment. With this heightened knowledge consumers are determining that organic products are healthier, of a higher quality and worth the slightly higher price tag.

“ Many gardeners report better taste, aroma and overall quality when using organic gardening methods.”

Organics indoors

For many of the same reasons mentioned above, indoor horticulturalists are turning their gardens green. Aside from the environmental benefits, most indoor horticulturalists are attracted to organic gardening methods because of the potential increase in quality. For the average indoor horticulturalist, quality is of the utmost importance.

After all, most people take the plunge into indoor horticulture because they are unsatisfied consuming tasteless products. They have decided that they can grow their own food and have absolute control over the entire process. Many gardeners report better taste, aroma and overall quality when using organic gardening methods. This rise in quality is making organic gardening attractive to the indoor gardener. Whether it’s grown indoors or out, it’s true what they say: nothing tastes better than a homegrown tomato. If organic gardening methods increase quality then the old saying could need a slight modification: nothing tastes better than a homegrown organic tomato.

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Undergoing an organic transformation Growing organically isn’t just about quality and the health of the environment. The indoor gardener has his or her own safety to worry about as well. Many indoor horticulturalists have their gardens in their homes or, at least, in close proximity to their homes. This means any pesticide or chemical fertilizer that is used can find its way into the grower’s home. Unsuspecting gardeners might touch a wall or piece of equipment in their gardens, not realizing the residual insecticide they sprayed just a few days prior is still active. They could unknowingly spread trace amounts of this toxin throughout their entire home as they go about their daily activities. Although organic pesticides aren’t to be used without caution, they tend to break down faster and be less toxic in general making them a safer choice for the indoor garden hobbyist.

“ the micro-organism symbiotic relationship regulates nutrient uptake in a way that has a direct influence over the growth rate and the quality of the fruit or flowers.”

Organics and microbes

Organic fertilizers rely on the network of micro-organisms found in and around the plant’s roots to function.

These micro-organisms are as intricate to the growing process as any other variable. The plant’s symbiotic relationship with micro-organisms has developed over millions of years of evolution. Although scientists have not figured out exactly why, the micro-organism symbiotic relationship regulates nutrient uptake in a way that has a direct influence over the growth rate and the quality of the fruit or flowers. Conventional fertilizers bypass the network of micro-organisms in the root zone. Chemical fertilizers are broken down into a form that is readily available for nutrient absorption. They don’t require the complex chain of events unfolded by micro-organisms and the enzymes they produce to break down organic matter into a soluble form. It is the bypassing of these micro-organisms that gives conventional gardening techniques the increased speed of growth it proudly boasts. This increased speed of growth can sometimes lead to larger yields. In most cases, as the speed of growth increases, the quality of the product decreases. Flavor, aroma and, in some cases, nutrient value are degraded in order to boost production to the maximum level. In extreme cases this method of horticulture will quickly produce large yields of tasteless products void of nutrient value. It is this output of substandard products being supplied by large scale commercial growers that has indoor horticulturists growing their own and leaning toward organics.

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Undergoing an organic transformation

Organic certif ication

We’ve

cut the cost

of distribution ... and passed the savings on to you!

There are now various organic certification companies devoted solely to determining if the horticultural products submitted to them are, indeed, certifiable organic.

These companies will analyze the product’s ingredients and, in some cases, the method used to extract an ingredient. Then, based on standardized federal requirements, these companies will certify the product as organic. The reason for the growing number of organic certification companies is a direct result of supply and demand. There has been a continually increasing demand for organic products over the last 10 years and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. This demand from customers drives fertilizer and soil companies to produce more certifiable organic products, increasing the need for more certification companies.

“ The reason for the growing number of organic certification companies is a direct result of supply and demand.”

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Implementing organics

Some growers are interested in organic gardening but do not know how to make the transition.

Regardless of the style of gardening currently being used, growers can begin to convert their gardens by implementing organics. Some changes are easier than others and can be introduced immediately. Other transitions can take a longer period of time or might require slight modification to the growing system to function properly.

Undergoing an organic transformation

Soil

If you build your own soil, be sure that all of the individual ingredients are, in fact, organic. Look for organic certifications or contact the manufacturer directly to verify the ingredients. The same goes for purchasing a pre-made potting soil. Many soil companies are getting their soils certified organic just like the fertilizer companies, making it easier for the consumer to purchase organic potting soil.

Never assume a pre-made soil is organic just because it’s a soil. Unfortunately, most potting soils sold at home improvement centers or grocery stores are not organic potting soils. They can contain a variety of chemical additives. If the soil is not certified organic, the best thing to do is to closely examine the ingredients lists. If it contains ingredients that you cannot pronounce, assume it is not organic. Also, be aware of hidden ingredients. Some soil companies will hide the chemical additives in the ingredient list as a “starter nutrient charge” or something similar.

“If the soil is not certified organic, the best thing to do is to closely examine the ingredients.”

All organic nutrients are compatible with soil. This makes for an easy transition to organics for any soil gardener. Most large fertilizer companies will have all of their organic products certified by one of the various organic certification companies.

This is great for organic consumers, who can walk into their local indoor gardening center and instantly determine which products are organic. Some of the smaller fertilizer companies might opt out or not be able to afford the certification process but still produce a quality, organic product. In this case, a closer look at the ingredient list is the only way growers can determine if the product suits their desires. As with the soil ingredients, if you cannot pronounce it then it probably is not organic.

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Hydroponics

Converting a hydroponic garden to organics depends on many variables. Because organic nutrients tend to have more sediment, operating particular hydroponic systems may be troublesome. Aeroponics and top-feed hydroponic systems are most prone to problems caused by excessive sediment. Clogged emitters or feed lines can be a common occurrence in these systems if the system’s pump lacks the proper filtration device. Additional filters for the submersible pump are recommended for any hydroponic system utilizing organic nutrients but are absolutely necessary in aeroponic and top-feed systems.

“Additional filters for the submersible pump are recommended for any hydroponic system utilizing organic nutrients.”

Recirculating hydroponic systems can pose additional problems when using organic nutrients. As plants (more specifically the micro-organisms in the root zone) break down organic matter the pH will fluctuate and the nutrient concentration will change. It could be difficult to make adjustments to the nutrient concentration in the reservoir because electric conductivity cannot produce accurate readings with organic nutrients. This creates a sort of guessing game for the gardener regarding their nutrient strength.

In my experience, the best way to implement organic nutrients into an existing hydroponic system is to do so gradually. In other words, start with one organic additive and see how it affects the system. After you feel comfortable with one additive try another and so on and so forth. Eventually you can attempt to switch out your base fertilizers for organics. Many growers do not completely switch to organic but find a hybrid nutrient cocktail that gives them some of the benefits of both worlds.

“Beneficial insects can be an organic gardener’s greatest ally and act as an effective first line of defense.”

Pest control

Pest control is an area where any grower can immediately make the switch to organics, especially now when the technologies to extract the active compounds have accelerated the effectiveness of organic pesticides to the equivalent of their chemical counterparts. Beneficial insects can be an organic gardener’s greatest ally and act as an effective first line of defense. When the pest insect has built a tolerance to chemical insecticides, beneficial insects are the most effective control. A bug cannot build a resistance to being eaten.

Conclusion

As our knowledge increases even further regarding the complex, microscopic world that affects the quality and performance of our indoor gardens, the increasing desire to work in tune with these microbes is inevitable. Organic gardening techniques allow the horticulturist to work with these valuable, invisible assets that we are still trying to completely understand. Even without a full understanding, we know that by transforming even a portion of the garden to organics, a grower can help the environment, instill safety at home, increase quality and, all the while, allow nature’s incredibly designed symbiotic relationships to function in the way they were intended.

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89

Green thumb gardening

IPM

for Small-scale

Growers

by Raquel Neofit

The buzz word in the horticulture industry these days is IPM, or integrated pest management. But what exactly is IPM and is it a viable option for the hobby or home gardener?

Integrated pest management (IPM) steers away from the line of hard-core chemicals to kill detrimental bugs in favor of natural predators (biological controls), soft insecticides (preferably organic-, oil- or soap-based products) and baiting and trapping (like sticky tapes and pheromone traps) to control crop pests. According to Tony Bundock of the National Precision Growing Center, there is evidence of IPM from way back in 2,500 BC when Sumerians used sulfur compounds to control insects and mites. The modern form of IPM gained popularity in late 1960 and has been developed into a major crop management toll for commercial horticulture.

I like to call IPM the bug-eat-bug method, but you should also consider the other factors recommended by this method of pest control.

First, you need to identify which bugs are bugging your local area on a regular basis, then, determine the level of infestation that is likely to occur. Perhaps sticky traps combined with a soft insecticide will do the job for you.

But, if you do find the problems are slightly bigger, then maybe introducing a low level of beneficials will be a more cost- and time-effective solution.

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For large-scale growers, implementing an IPM program can be a complex and daunting project; however, for the small-scale grower, you might just see quicker and more economical results.

Here’s a quick looks at the pros and cons of IPM on a small scale:

Advantages • Reduced risk of chemical contamination to people, produce and the environment • Slows the development of resistance to pesticides • Pests do not develop resistance to beneficials • It’s a step closer to organic agriculture practices • It’s also a step closer to sustainable agriculture practices Disadvantages • There is a higher level of education and knowledge required. We need to understand the interactions between good and bad bugs and who is whose predator • In large-scale growing situations, the good bugs have a better chance of multiplying because there are many more of them to begin with than in a smaller area; therefore, they leverage greater control over a larger environment • Beneficial bugs really need to be introduced to your garden before the pests infiltrate • If you grow a whole range of crops, you might require a whole range of different beneficials, as different bugs are attracted to different crops. Thus, this can become expensive

COST FACTORS

IPM looks expensive from the out-set, but by the time you take into consideration the cost of harsh chemicals and the time and labor used to treat an infestation, the results can be very cost-effective. Tony Bundock believes we should look at the cost as an investment rather than an expense because the beneficial bugs work tirelessly for you day and night. He suggests finding a large-scale local grower who might sell you beneficials from their commercial supply.

A FEW CONSIDERATIONS

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to travel the IPM road:

• You need to be able to identify the bad from the good • You need to know what bugs are circulating your crop and which bugs are their natural predators • You need to introduce the beneficial bugs before major problems occur • You need to know the level of tolerance your crop has to any given bug • And you need to find a local biological control agent to assist you when you need predatory bugs or advice The principle of IPM is about taking control over the whole season rather than just a week or two. Remember that the true benefits of an effective IPM program lie in introducing the beneficials early and not waiting for an infestation.

“ The principle of IPM is about taking control over the whole season rather than just a week or two.”

As with every greenhouse endeavour, do your research.

Ask yourself, “Is IPM best suited to my area, my crops and the bugs that infiltrate my local area?” Seek out the advice of experts that can help you answer these questions; an informed decision is the best decision.

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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Simp y Si ica by

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Helene Isbell

SIMPLY SILICA

Since plants

lack the immune system that animals rely on to stay healthy, silica helps perform many of the same functions and can be thought of as a super vitamin and an immune support for plants.”

Silica plays an important role in just about everything. It is one of the main components of the Earth’s crust; it makes up the sandy beaches that border the oceans of the planet; it lies in the veins of quartz crystal that course through granite boulders; it is used to make the glass products that we use in our everyday lives on a regular basis.

Silica, often renowned for its rigid properties, is also an important component of the plant kingdom, a jack of all trades, if you will, in the horticulture hemisphere.

What is silica?

Silica is the common term for the compound silicon dioxide. It is formed when silicon comes into contact with oxygen. Silica is abundant in many soils and is a major component of plant tissue, sometimes in even higher concentrations than nitrogen and potassium.

Although vital to plant health, silica is not classified as one of the essential nutrients for plants in general, which can lead some growers to believe it is not necessary to add to a normal feeding regimen.

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What benefits does silica provide for plants?

The list of benefits that silica provides to plant health is lengthy. Any grower who is serious about growing strong beastly plants should consider adding silica to their normal fertilization schedule. Some of the most important benefits are:

Stronger cell walls Silica can be compared to the likes of a liquid bamboo, virtually fortifying cells from the inside out. Cells are the building blocks of the plant’s framework. Strengthening the cell walls helps the plant build strong hearty branches and stems that are reinforced enough to support the weight of the fruit that the plant will eventually produce.

Stronger cells mean bigger stems Thicker cell walls resulting from silica use create bigger stalks and stems that can uptake and transport more water, nutrients and plant secretions throughout the plant body, facilitating faster growth rates and bigger plants.

Increased resistance to environmental stress Since plants lack the immune system that animals rely on to stay healthy, silica helps perform many of the same functions and can be thought of as a super vitamin and an immune support for plants. It contributes to areas such as: Climate: The addition of silica helps plants withstand extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. This is especially helpful for outdoor growers that experience hot midday peaks or low temperatures at night.

Drought: Silica forms a protective coating on an intracellular level that decreases the amount of water loss through transpiration, making plants less likely to suffer as dramatically during drought conditions. It also enables them to continue functioning during high-temperature or lowmoisture conditions and reduces the amount of shock they experience in such extreme cases.

SIMPLY SILICA

Plants grown

Increased resistance to pathogens When a plant is fed a soluble form of silica, the plant accumulates the silica around the infected site forming selectively fortified areas that can fend off fungal infections such as rust, pithium and powdery mildew. As a resistance measure, the plant uses the silica to build up an additional mineral barrier, essentially lining the cells, making it more difficult for diseases and pathogens to make their way inside the plant.

Increased resistance to pests Silica accumulates in the epidermal cell walls of leaves, making it harder for biting and sucking bugs to damage the plant. Deposits of silicic acid within the cells act as an additional barrier to sap sucking insects. Foliar feeding is the best way to ensure the silica gets directly absorbed into the leaves where it can be immediately used to combat pests.

Enhanced metabolic functions Plants grown with the use of soluble silica are shown to have higher concentrations of chlorophyll in their leaf tissue compared to plants grown without it. It also enables them to make more efficient use of CO2, resulting in lush healthy green foliage with excellent leaf structure and reduced amount of leaf wilt.

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When should silica be used in the garden?

in soil are more likely to uptake trace amounts of silica that could be present in the soil, whereas plants grown hydroponically have no direct source of silica unless it is added as a supplement to the nutrient regimen.”

Studies show that silica should be used throughout the entire life cycle of the plant, from the seedling or clone stage up until harvest. In order to produce optimal results, silica needs to be continually made available to the plant via the nutrient solution. Once a plant has absorbed the available silica into its cellular structure, it can no longer be redistributed to other parts of the plant.

Plants grown in soil are more likely to uptake trace amounts of silica that could be present in the soil, whereas plants grown hydroponically have no direct source of silica unless it is added as a supplement to the nutrient regimen. Plants grown hydroponically without silica will most likely be sub par compared to those grown with it.

Cuttings and seedlings that have been fed silica tend to show less shock during root formation and transplanting. Introducing silica early on in the plant’s life is also said to reduce the chances of leaf curl. Cut flowers also benefit from silica, as it has been known to extend flower shelf life. Have you ever added a powder sachet into the vase of water when you buy a bouquet of flowers? That is a nutrient mixture combined with silica!

SIMPLY SILICA

When one

product has a seemingly endless list of positive attributes, it’s a no-brainer that it should be put to use by growers that are serious about producing results.”

How should silica be applied to plants?

It’s a good idea to follow the dosage rates of the particular product being used, but as a good rule of thumb, when plants are very young, introduce silica at about 20 to 30% of the general feeding rate and gradually increase the application as the plants grow in size and enter the bloom phase.

Most silica products on the market can be applied as a root feed or as a foliar spray. Plants can absorb much more

through foliar feeding than just absorption through the root zone. Silica is also known to prevent powdery mildew when used as a foliar spray. If using silica as both a foliar and a root feed, be careful not to overdose the plants.

Follow the feeding schedule according to the brand carefully before mixing the solution.

What else is there to know about silica?

Silica is alkaline by nature and therefore will naturally raise the pH level of your nutrient solution. It should be added after the other nutrients have been thoroughly mixed into the water. It is a good idea to dilute the silica in about one gallon of water before adding it to the reservoir to avoid nutrient lockout that can occur when it comes into direct contact with other elements in the solution. In many cases, silica could raise the pH level of the solution enough that the additional use of pH up will not be necessary.

What types of silica are the best?

Since there are so many brands of silica in the horticulture industry, it can be tough to decide which

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one to use. It is wise to choose one with a high concentration of silicon dioxide so that a little bit goes a lot further. There are brands that boast fancy labels and high-sticker prices but then only provide products that contain 3% or less concentration of silica. Look for brands that have at least 7 to 8% silicon dioxide. Liquid silica that is clear will be more soluble in the reservoir than those types that have a milky, chalky consistency. Remember to choose products that are free of dyes or colorants.

In the world of hydroponics and gardening, the sheer amount of products on the market can be daunting. There are many secret recipes, mysterious formulas, cryptic ingredients and vague labeling to contend with. Once in a while it’s nice to fall back on a basic product that is easy to understand, is even easier to use and produces great results. When one product has a seemingly endless list of positive attributes, it’s a no-brainer that it should be put to use by growers that are serious about producing results.

For robust crops and impressively healthy harvests, try silica as a super supplement in your next grow!

An Aquaponic Adventure

WOODS Although fresh wood by-products like sawdust and pinebark are suitable for use in soilless organic rooting media mixes, most types contain elements that are toxic to plants.

Therefore, composting wood by-products is essential. Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. explains...

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organic rooting medium Fresh wood by-products, such as pinebark, wood chips and course sawdust, are suitable for use in soilless organic rooting media mixes. Pinebark is a common ingredient in many peatmoss-based formulations. However, these wood by-products contain tannins that are toxic to plants. Therefore, composting is essential in order to remove this chemical, as well as other unwanted oxidizable substances.

The time and method of composting varies with the product and composting conditions.

For freshly gathered pinebark, wood chips or course sawdust, composting for at least a year under warm climatic conditions is required.

Composting is best done outdoors, with periodic turning for equal exposure of the material to the climatic elements. Heat gener-

ated in the composting process might require cooling by watering during low rainfall periods, thereby keeping the compost pile from catching fire.

Composting also stabilizes the physiochemical properties as the easily oxidizable components are eliminated, leaving a bio-stable organic structure. Following composting, the material will require milling and sieving in order to obtain a uniform, particlesized product, as well as removing the fines not decomposed during composting.

The useful particle size range is between 0.02 to

“ Pinebark is a common ingredient in many peatmoss-based formulations.”

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organic rooting medium

“ Composting is also a concentrating process for elements that could reach a toxic level.”

0.09 in., with the courser material used for long-term plant production mixes and the finer as an ingredient in seed germination and seedling formulations.

Composting is also a concentrating process for elements that could reach a toxic level.

Elemental accumulation will depend on what elements were in the initial composting materials. For example, manganese is present in pinebark at fairly high concentrations and, with a relative increase due to composting, can potentially reach a toxic level. Therefore, before use, the pinebark needs to be laboratory tested to determine its pH and elemental content. This test procedure is by water-equilibrium extraction, a test method not provided by all soil testing laboratories.

Adjusting the water pH of pinebark to between 5.6 to 5.8 using dolomitic limestone is recommended.

Since pinebark, wood chips and sawdust are natural plant products, they will contain some content level of all of the essential plant nutrient elements, some in sufficient quantity to provide that needed by a plant

rooted in it. Having the material assayed before use as described above, nutrient element supplementation can be done selectively by taking advantage of what elements already exist in sufficient plantavailable quantities.

I have used composted milled pinebark as a rooting medium in both greenhouse and field growing of tomato, lettuce and other garden vegetables with great success. One of the interesting observations is that crop performance seems to improve with continued use, suggesting that stabilization of its physio-chemical properties is a long-term composing-use process.

This method of growing works best using the subirrigation method. Before use, dolomitic limestone and 10-10-10 chemical fertilizer are mixed into the pinebark (Table 1). Similarly prepared pinebark as a rooting medium placed in pots for the growing of tomato and cucumber with delivery of water by drip irrigation has been used with excellent results.

If a nutrient solution formulation is delivered by

Table 1 Ingredients to make 1 cu. yd. of pinebark soilless mix for growing of tomato and other garden vegetables using the sub-irrigation method.

AMOUNT 9 bushels 1 lb.

1 lb.

INGREDIENT composted milled pinebark dolomitic limestone (agricultural grade) 10-10-10 commercial fertilizer

Note: It is not necessary to add any of the micronutrients as there should be a sufficient amount for one crop cycle. Thoroughly mix the pinebark and dolomitic limestone, adding sufficient water to make the mixture moist (not wet). Let stand for 30 days with occasional mixing. After 30 days, add 10-10-10 fertilizer, thoroughly mixing. The soilless mix is ready for use. Have the final mix tested using the water-equilibrium extraction method. If additional elements need to be added, follow the recommendation given. Nitrogen supplementation might be necessary in mid-season based on a leaf analysis just as tomato fruits are being set. From 15 plants, collect the end leaflet from a maturing leaf at the same position as a setting fruit cluster. Submit to a plant analysis laboratory and follow the assay recommendations given.

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organic rooting medium

“ An advantage to the use of these wood by-products is that they fit the designation as being natural organic substances that are biodegradable.” drip irrigation, the pinebark will require only the addition of dolomitic limestone (see Table 1). The waterequilibrium extraction test results will determine if any of the micronutrients should be included in the nutrient solution formulation.

An advantage to the use of these wood by-products is that they fit the designation as being natural organic substances that are biodegradable. In addition, they have properties that make them suitable for inclusion in soilless organic mixes for a wide range of growing applications. The essential requirement being that they are adequately composted and prepared for use by milling and sieving, and supplemented with the essential elements based on the water-equilibrium testing procedure.

References: Jones, Jr., J. Benton. 2001. Laboratory Guide for Conducting Soil Tests and Plant Analyses. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL. Jones, Jr., J. Benton. 2005. Hydroponics: A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower.

2nd Edition. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, FL. Jones, Jr., J. Benton. 2011. Hydroponic Handbook: How hydroponic growing systems work. GroSystems, Inc., Anderson, SC.

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by Jennifer Casey

SOF

R'S not that Hard!

Softened water is one of those “hate it or love it” things; however, regardless of which camp you’re in, knowing a little bit about water softener can help you better evaluate your water needs.

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soft water’s not that hard Softened water is a divisive issue. Like cilantro, two-stroke engines and Bon Iver, most people either love it or hate it.

Proponents love the clean bathroom fixtures, superior lather of soap and laundry detergent and streak-free windows. Haters primarily dislike “that slimy feeling” softened water leaves on the skin and the added salt, which requires a point-ofuse filter for drinking water and plants. Regardless of which camp you’re in, knowing a little bit about

“when people did their laundry by hand, they found that heavily mineralized water made it hard to wash clothes—hence, hard water.” water softeners can help you make an informed decision when evaluating your water needs.

Softeners look a little like an oxygen tank, are available in several sizes and can use either sodium chloride (salt) or potassium chloride as a medium.

They work by exchanging the hardness (that is, minerals) in water for either sodium or potassium using cationic exchange. Hardness is measured in “grains;” the more grains of hardness present in the water, the higher the salt or potassium content of the softened water. Gardeners who use a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to prevent nutrient lockout of their plants might want to add a softener before their system to reduce hardness and help extend the life of their RO system.

It all comes out in the wash

Soft water is so named because it isn’t hard. In researching this article, I came across the Water Quality Associations’ (WQA) reason for the designation of “hard” and “soft,” which is this: years ago, when people did their laundry by hand, they found that heavily mineralized water made it hard to wash clothes—hence, hard water. Apparently, their solution was to collect rainwater to wash with, which was referred to as soft. This might seem like a lot of trouble to go to for the sake of washing a few dirty clothes, but check this out: the WQA also cites a Purdue University study that found clothes washed in hard water wore out 15 times faster than those washed in softened water. This statistic is attributed to the way that suspended minerals simply rub on clothing fibers and wear them out, which seems somewhat obvious.

Apparently detergent is another factor. Laundry soap was originally highly alkaline, which helped to create a water environment in which dirt was easily released. As people got tired of saving rainwater for their laundry, their laundry soap wasn’t working very well to wash their clothes. Soapbased cleaners combine with hard water to create what is somewhat disgustingly called soap curd. This unappealing substance is a combination of soap and hard-water minerals, and is what ends up coating your shower door, bathroom fixtures, etc. It’s also hard on fabrics. Enter detergent.

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soft water’s not that hard

Detergent was developed as a petroleum product and dissolves nicely in hard water. This is helpful when doing laundry, but not so helpful for the planet. Many people are doing their best to avoid petroleum products whenever possible, and synthetic detergents are not nearly as biodegradable as their soapy predecessors.

If you cringe at the price of clothes these days, remember that wearing out those skinny jeans 15 times faster can really add up. As innocuous as doing laundry might seem, the effects of hard water can impede the process of cleaning your clothing, towels and linens, which costs money.

Although synthetic detergent mitigates some of the soap curd (gross) associated with laundering in hard water, the best solution is to simply use a water softener. Once used, a return to traditional laundry soap will help keep your clothes clean and the planet happy, or synthetic detergents can be used in much smaller amounts than before, saving more money. Hot water use will decrease, as the soap will do an excellent job in cool water, saving on energy costs. Additionally, using a water softener ensures that your skin will no longer be repository for soap curd residue.

Slippery = clean?

That’s right; soap curd is responsible for that squeaky clean feeling on skin and hair… maybe.

The lack of squeak, the feeling that maybe the soap hasn’t rinsed entirely off, is one of the most controversial effects of softeners. According to some, the slippery feeling skin gets in softened water is a result of the ionic exchange that occurs when mineral content is exchanged for sodium or potassium (depending on which media is used in the softener) and the resulting ions keep the soap from sticking to the water and getting rinsed off. Sounds pretty legit, but check out the internet for any water softening company and the explanation changes. These companies claim that the slippery feeling is actually the way that clean skin feels without the rubbery squeak of soap curd. Both sides acknowledge that since soap works much better in soft water, people sometimes use the levels they used in 114

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softeners... work by exchanging the hardness (minerals) for either sodium or potassium using cationic exchange.”

hard water—much more than is necessary in soft water. It’s a tough claim to parse, as rinsing a soapy sink in softened water leaves no hint of curdy ring, which points to superior rinsing ability and the claim of the makers of softeners. Then again, rinsing in naturally soft water like rainwater or water softened by other means like RO, both of which wouldn’t contain which added sodium or potassium, doesn’t seem to cause any sort of slimy skin-feel, regardless of soap.

I failed to find any third-party study which actually measured soap residue left after a softened water rinse verses a hard water rinse. Anecdotally, some users of softeners rave about the improved condition of skin and hair without soap or mineral residue when using a softener, while others bemoan the drying effects of softened water on their person.

When it comes to the skin/hair debate, it might just be a matter of preference. Personally, I hypothesize that it might very well be the way that the sodium/potassium ions feel on the skin, not necessarily that soap is being left behind.

soft water’s not that hard

But how does it taste?

The WQA, along with softener companies, claim that unless one is on a severely salt-restricted diet, the added salt in softened water isn’t a health risk, with an average of about 0.02 oz. of added sodium per gallon of water. While this amount is about one-fifth of the sodium in skim milk, I’d be more concerned with taste. In my humble opinion, the drinking water that tastes the best is water that has been filtered using RO to take 96 to 99% of all contaminants

“ Using a remineralizing post filter is an easy solution that adds minerals your body can use and allows RO to remove many other harmful contaminants.” out, and then treated with a remineralizing post filter to add back about 30 to 50 ppm of calcium carbonate for that clean, crisp taste. Drinking water that has been demineralized (whether by an ion exchange softener or RO) is another source of controversy, some claiming that it strips the body of its own minerals, and others pointing to the fact that many dissolved minerals on water are too large to be absorbed by the body. Using a remineralizing post filter is an easy solution that adds minerals your body can use and allows RO to remove many other harmful contaminants. An added benefit of using a softener is that it acts as excellent pre-filtration for a RO drinking water or plant water system, preserving expensive RO membranes and saving you money!

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soft water’s not that hard

What about the plants?

Let’s be clear—sodium-chloride softened water should never be given to your plants, especially in a hydroponic garden, as plants are very sensitive to levels of sodium. Some outdoor gardeners who have a whole-house softener might choose to use potassium chloride media, as the relatively low levels found in softened water are not generally harmful for lawns and other non-sensitive plants. However, hydroponic gardens can also be disrupted by excessive potassium.

A softener can, however, benefit your plants in much the same way it can benefit your drinking water—as a pre-filter for RO. Reverse osmosis has become the gold-standard of water treatment in hydroponics, removing blocky, unusable minerals, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds and a host of other toxic contaminants and preventing nutrient lockout. The most expensive parts of a RO filter are the membranes—and those with large gardens using lots of water know that replacing those membranes can add up. Incidentally, the very hardness that prompts many gardeners to purchase an RO system is the same hardness that can prematurely clog the RO membranes. Since softeners exchange that damaging hardness for sodium or potassium chloride, the membrane’s job is much easier. Both sodium chloride and potassium chloride are easily removed by RO membranes, which will remove 99% of sodium or potassium chloride.

“ sodium-chloride softened water should never be given to your plants, especially in a hydroponic garden, as plants are very sensitive to levels of sodium.”

Bottom line

The bottom line is that if you have hard water, you should probably get a softener. Whether or not you use the softened water for your whole house, for your shower or just to preserve your RO membranes in the greenhouse is a matter of preference. The money it can save you in the laundry room and the garden is undeniable. Don’t worry, you can still hate cilantro, but now you can spend less money growing it by using a softener to assist your RO system.

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Grindo: Q r u a o n o tity, d t u O By Jonathan Valdeman

, y t i ual

oo r Q

ind

Greenh

ouse G

While it is debatable that this is the best approach to cultivating high-quality plants, jonathan valdeman argues that grindo (greenhouse/indoor) growing—no matter the system used—offers the best of both indoor and outdoor growing.

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rown

gRINDO

TOSS aside

the notion, if you will, that there is not one single agricultural crop cultivated commercially that is grown solely using artificial lighting.”

For just a moment, forget about the immense amount of electricity that is used to grow plants strictly under lights. Forget about the fact that no bulb can replicate all the properties of the sun.

Remove the fact that the high cost of building an indoor growroom still leaves you dependent on either your local electric company or a fuel consumptive generator in order to run all the grow lights and fans. These costs become so high that you might as well consider your local meter reader as a very silent partner that receives 20 to 40% of your harvest. Toss aside the notion, if you will, that there is not one single agricultural crop cultivated commercially that is grown solely using artificial lighting. Don’t even consider for a moment the environmental impact from bulbs that are improperly, or even properly, disposed.

Now that we have stripped away some of the potential downsides to indoor cultivation, let’s consider some of the benefits. One benefit is security.

Not only is your crop protected from unwanted visitors by a solid wall and a door, but you have complete control over your grow zone in other ways too. This would include the control of the lighting schedule, which empowers the grower to determine the flowering schedules of their plants.

This allows for optimum efficiency of crop production throughout the year and allows the farmer the ability to bring product to market whenever they choose, often dictated by seasonal demands.

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gRINDO

Greenhouses offer

Most often when people think of greenhouses, they think of a wooden structure clad with old yellowing plastic or a mega gutter-connected greenhouse that covers acres of farmland with millions of dollars of investment glistening in the summer sun. These structures might leave you feeling a little disheartened or with a feeling that a greenhouse for your own yard is out of reach. However, there are greenhouse companies that specialize in customer service and making sure that you have the right fit for what you are looking for. Specifically, in our scenario, you need a greenhouse company that specializes in light deprivation.

Light deprivation techniques allow you the ability to step into the same game as an indoor grower while receiving all the benefits of greenhouse growing. Light deprivation is the ability to cut out sunlight from your greenhouse when you require extra hours of darkness to flower your plants while the outdoor light cycle is still in a period of vegetative growth.

Whether this is done with an automated light deprivation greenhouse or done manually by pulling tarps of a breathable blackout fabric, the end goal is the same: a consistent amount of required hours of light and of darkness, making your plants think it is fall and the end of their life cycle is approaching (therefore causing them to flower so as to continue the reign of their species).

A greenhouse company that specializes in light deprivation will have the knowledge of how to work most efficiently and effectively throughout the different seasons within your greenhouse. As I mentioned earlier, greenhouses have traditionally been used to extend your growing season early in the spring and

up the control that indoor growrooms provide, as well as giving the plants the full spectrum of the sun that will increase the plants’ nutritional aspects and will dramatically increase your yield.”

Humidity and wind velocity are also all easily controlled by fans that are monitored by an automated environmental control panel. Temperature is controlled as well, so the outside climate has little to no effect (in the heat of the summer, the room is often cooled by air conditioning units, and winter-time lows sometimes see the need for heating units to keep the ambient room temperature up).

Though all these benefits do lend a sense of bling to crops grown indoors, it does leave open the conversation of what might be missing in a photosynthesizing plant that is using a bulb and not the sun for its main source of life force. Enter greenhouses.

Greenhouses offer up the control that indoor growrooms provide, as well as giving the plants the full spectrum of the sun that will increase the plants’ nutritional aspects and will dramatically increase your yield. Traditionally used to extend your growing season through the cold of the off-season, greenhouses are now also being utilized with remarkable benefits during the rest of the year. Indeed, greenhouses can be used efficiently with ease and security by anyone with a green thumb and attention to plants.

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gRINDO

A properly

ventilated greenhouse will not exceed the temperature outside and will therefore not have much, if any, solar gain.”

late into fall and even potentially through the winter months. This, however, does not address the harshest climate to deal with a greenhouse.

The summer heat can become unbearable in a greenhouse that hasn’t been properly set up. Solar gain is the term used for the increase of heat in a greenhouse from the inability to properly ventilate the space. A properly ventilated greenhouse will not exceed the temperature outside and will therefore not have much, if any, solar gain. Proper ventilation can be achieved through exhaust fans or with passive cooling. When using fans, make sure to calculate the cubic foot dimensions of your structure and match it with fans that can exchange that air about every one to three minutes in the hotter parts of the year and two to four minutes for the rest of the year (cubic feet per minute [cfm] is the term the fan will use in determining how many cubic feet the fan can exhaust in one minute). I prefer to use a dual fan/ dual intake louver system so that the temperature and humidity can be controlled in stages. Also, take note that exhaust fans only work properly in a sealed environment; so, while leaving a door open or rolling up a sidewall might intuitively sound like a good idea, it isn’t always. The fan will exhaust air from its closest location, so if there is an opening in the structure close to the fan, the fan will take the air from that point and not pull the air across the whole structure.

A greenhouse grower also has the ability to supplement the desired hours of light and warmth for the plant during the colder, darker months

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gRINDo

In a greenhouse,

you have the ability to cultivate plants efficiently with indoor quality and outdoor quantity while greatly reducing your overhead and environmental impact to do so.” of the year. This can be done at a drastically reduced cost when compared to indoor growing because of their ability to use the sun.

Though the amount natural lighting might not be sufficient, you’ll only need a few hours of supplemental lighting in the beginning or end of the day in order to meet your daily quota of light and darkness. On cloudy days, lights can also be used to increase the intensity of the light allowing plants to stay in optimal conditions.

As an added bonus, the winter sunlight also adds heat to your structure, thus reducing the need for a complete heating source. Many people heat their structures with overhead forced heat, although the more efficient and effective heat comes from the bottom up. By heating the root zone, the most important part of the plant to stay warm, the heat will passively rise up through the canopy and start heating the rest of the empty structure (instead of starting in the empty zone of the structure that has a high level of heat loss). This methodology can save thousands of dollars in heating costs. This bottom heat is usually done with water-based radiant heat. A solar collector, a passive method of heating water from the sun, can be installed in the loop to heat the water before the

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boiler needs to expend energy heating the water on a cold but sunny day, saving you even more on utility expenses.

When looking at the methods of light deprivation, consider a high-quality polyweave, not film, covering that has the correct amounts of UV stabilization and the ability to diffuse light. These qualities in a fabric do a couple of things, most obviously is in the appearance of your finished product.

These fabrics were designed for the flower industry and the filtration causes plant resins to pop and wind up resembling plants that were grown strictly under lights. Also, the UV stabilization filters out the harmful intense spectrums of the sun that heat up your structure and your plants.

As such, this material lowers the temperature of your soil, causing less need for water and giving more optimal conditions to your soil microbes. It also reduces the temperature of the surface of the leaf, which is one of the biggest benefits. The advantage to this is on hot summer days when plants outdoors are putting a lot of energy into transpiration, staying cool and survival, while the plants inside your greenhouse are putting their energy into photosynthesis, growth and flourishing.

Another bonus of greenhouse gardening is that you can use any system of growing that you would indoors—hydro, in bags, on tables, in beds, on a trellis system or vertical the greenhouse structure is going to allow you to take what you’ve mastered and step it up to the next level in efficiency and production.

So, in a greenhouse, you can grow your plants like you would indoors, but at a fraction of the cost. Greenhouses excel in efficiency and offer a more complex finished product. In a greenhouse, you have the ability to cultivate plants efficiently with indoor quality and outdoor quantity while greatly reducing your overhead and environmental impact to do so. So, go green and go outside while still being indoors—go into a greenhouse!

high-teCh OPA AT I ON

PR

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

The basic principles of plant propagation have been used for centuries, but these days, we have a whole host of

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G

new technology and knowledge to make the process faster and more reliable, and it’s only getting even more high-tech…

HIGH-TECH PROPAGATION

Ever since the dawn of agriculture, plant propagation techniques have been under intensive study. Without reliable methods of plant multiplication we would have no crops to harvest and no way of creating future generations of improved genetic stock. While the basic principles of plant propagation have been understood and used for centuries, these days we have a whole host of new technology, equipment, products and knowledge that have made vast improvements in the reliability and speed of this process. Furthermore, researchers are still delving into many aspects of plant multiplication and uncovering new information to further improve the process of propagation of a wide range of species.

As indoor gardeners we have a major advantage when it comes to propagation. With precise control over the environment, heat, humidity, light, oxygenation, CO2 and other factors, propagation becomes a more reliable process. Couple this with advances in hydroponic equipment and products specifically designed for the nurturing of new plants, seed production and treatment technology, and knowledge of root formation compounds, hydroponic growers have all the tools required for successful propagation.

While the

basic principles of plant propagation have been understood and used for centuries, these days we have a whole host of new technology, equipment, products and knowledge that have made vast improvements in the reliability and speed of this process.”

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HIGH-TECH PROPAGATION Growers would sow seeds or take cuttings and extensive research into root promotion clones from compounds, rooting gels now contain not plants, poke them into just IBA or NAA, which are auxin plant the soil growth regulators, but also other stimulants someplace and bioactive compounds shown to be warm and hope for the beneficial for this process.” best.Often the results were not great and a certain failure While high-tech equipment prorate was to be expected. Nowadays, vides some valuable assistance with we have come to expect a high sucpropagation, growers still need cess rate with propagation due to some basic knowledge about the advances in technology, the indoor best methods to use for different gardening environment and a great species. Ideally, even beginner growdeal more information. ers should be able to multiply plants via seeds and cuttings and clones as well as know which method is best Clones or seedlings? for each crop. In the early days of The two main methods of propagagardening this was relatively simple. tion used by indoor gardeners are via seed and via cuttings and clones.

There is actually a large number of techniques used on different species for propagation, such as bulbs, rhizomes, corms, air layering, root layering, division, offsets and plantlets

Based on

produced on stolons and others. However, the majority of vegetable and herb species we grow hydroponically are produced via seeds and cuttings.

The advantage of cuttings is that the resulting new plant will be genetically identical to the motherplant the material was taken from. This means all the good characteristics of the plant are retained and we know exactly what to expect in terms of growth and yields from the propagated plantlets. The disadvantage is that pests, diseases and viruses carried on the motherplant can be transferred to the daughter plants. Cuttings also require a motherplant to be maintained in a healthy state for cuttings to be taken from, so genetic material can’t be stored for extended periods of time in the way that seeds can. Cutting material, depending on species, can take anywhere from a few days to many months to form new roots, although most of the species grown indoors are relatively quick to do so. Cuttings are often a preferred way of multiplying plants that are very slow or unreliable from seed. For example, a stem cutting of mint will form roots in water in a few days, whereas the tiny seeds take many weeks to produce a seedling large enough to plant out.

Seeds have the advantage of being small, portable and easy to store for a relatively long period of time. Most vegetable and herb seed germinates quickly, within a few days for most, and commercially produced seed usually has a very high percentage germination rate. Hybrid seed will have uniform genetics and have been bred for adventurous characteristics. However, open pollinated seed will not produce new plants identical to the parents. As you can see, genetics can be fairly random when hybrid seed is not used.

Cuttings or clones?

The technology Some softwood species will easily root quickly, often in a jar of water; however, most species we want to clone benefit from some assistance, care and attention.

After carefully selecting and preparing the cutting material from a healthy stock plant, a root promotion product should be applied. Back in the old days, there were just basic powders or solutions of an auxin

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HIGH-TECH PROPAGATION

It’s well proven

that use of a product containing an auxin such as IBA increases the percentage of rooted cuttings, the number of roots and the speed of root formation.” hormone used by commercial propagators, these days we have a wide range of highly advanced and effective rooting compounds and bio stimulants formulated into easy to use gels, powders and solutions. Based on extensive research into root promotion compounds, rooting gels now contain not just IBA or NAA, which are auxin plant growth regulators, but also other stimulants and bioactive compounds shown to be beneficial for this process.

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Auxin (IBA and NAA) are plant growth regulators that stimulate root development by inducing root initials that differentiate from cells of the young secondary phloem, cambium and pith tissue of the cutting material.

IBA is most commonly used in these products as it is relatively stable and doesn’t break down due to enzymes within the plant. It’s well proven that use of a product containing an auxin such as IBA increases the percentage

of rooted cuttings, the number of roots and the speed of root formation. However, advances in plant research over the last few decades and even quite recently have also discovered other root formation substances which are synergistic with IBA. Since the 1950s, it’s been known that boron is essential for the development of adventitious roots on stem cuttings.

Many researchers have found that whereas roots are initiated in response

HIGH-TECH PROPAGATION

Sterile,

highly aerated propagation media such as oasis, rockwool, foam substrates, coconut fiber, vermiculite and many new types of starter cubes are a vast improvement on trays of sand and peat historically used for propagation.” to auxin, boron was essential for the subsequent growth of roots. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is another root promotion substance in cuttings of many species. Studies have shown thiamine assists with promotion of rooting in terms of speed and number of roots formed. Many highly effective hydroponic rooting gels and other products contain boron, thiamine, humic or fulvic acids and a host of other vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that might be beneficial to root formation on cuttings.

More recently we have seen a range of microbial products being developed specifically to help promote root formation on cuttings and young seedlings. These microbial products are not new—the beneficial effect of mycorrhizal fungi on rooting of woody plant cuttings was reported in the 1970s; however, its only more recently that shelf-life stable and effective products have been available for smaller growers to purchase.

These plant growth promoting rhizobacteria are thought to enhance root development either directly by producing phytohormones, or indirectly by inhibiting disease pathogens.

Along with increasingly effective rooting promotion gel products and bio stimulates, advances in propagation substrates and systems have seen sometimes miraculous improvements in percentage germination and cutting take rates. Root formation and germination are highly reliant on the correct environment, as well as freedom from certain pathogens such as pythium and other root rot diseases. Sterile, highly aerated propagation media such as oasis, rockwool, foam substrates, coconut fiber, vermiculite and many new types of starter cubes are a vast improvement on trays of sand and peat historically used for propagation. Many of these new mediums have been created with specific air-to-water ratios to boost oxygen around the newly forming root initials or germinating seed.

Other new propagation products are highly specific to hydroponics and include a wide range of

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HIGH-TECH PROPAGATION

different sized propagation systems– often termed cloning machines–that mist highly aerated water and nutrients inside a chamber, maintaining the optimum environment for root formation. These types of systems are particularly useful for harder wood cuttings and difficult on root species as they speed up the rate of root formation.

Seeds: the technology Just as with cuttings, seed germination has also seen some advances in technology and specialized materials. Most hydroponic gardeners these days raise seedlings in specially designed propagation mediums. These can be sterile foams, rockwool, oasis or any of wide range of synthetic materials or more organically based mixes of coconut fiber, composts and propagation cubes made from a bound matrix of these materials.

As with cuttings, there are a range of bio stimulant products for seed germination and seedlings, including those based on humic and fulvic acids, vitamin and minerals and microbial inoculants.

Along with a suitable germination medium, growers can utilize a range of propagation equipment from the easy to use heating pad to an enclosed germination chamber, which maintains the right degree of heat, humidity and light once the seedlings emerge.

Seed technology itself has also improved in modern times. Many small and difficult to handle seeds, such as lettuce, can be purchased in pelleted form. For species such as lettuce, thermo pelleting assists the seed to germinate in a wider range of temperature conditions, while other seeds can be coated in growth promotants or fungicides to help control pre- and post-germination rot pathogens.

Other seeds might be primed to promote rapid germination and most are viability tested before they are sold.

Tissue culture: small-scale technology A newer technology as far as home gardeners goes has been the introduction of home tissue culture kits and equipment. Tissue culture is a

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Along with

way of rapidly bulking up huge numbers of plants a suitable germination medium, from a small amount of material and has growers can utilize a range of largely been in the propagation equipment from the easy realm of commerto use heating pad to an enclosed cial propagators for decades due germination chamber, which maintains to the requirement the right degree of heat, humidity and for aseptic conditions light once the seedlings emerge.” under which to carry this process out. Recent technology has seen the use of scaled down tissue culture equipment being used by small growers and indoor gardeners, although a certain degree of skill is still required to carry this process out correctly.

There are a number of different tissue culture methods; however, the most commonly used is called adventitious shoot formation, where a small piece of plant to leave the protected environis taken (like a ment of the flask, be potted up root, leaf, bulb, and grown on as normal plantlets. scale or similar) This procedure can be used for a then induced to wide range of plants; however, beginproduce many small shoots through application of plant growth hormone con- ners often start learning tissue culture tained in the tissue culture gel medium. methods using an easy species such as African violet.

Normally, such plant parts would not produce new shoots, let alone masses Current technologies used to increase of them, but the conditions inside the the speed and reliability of plant tissue culture flask and the application propagation are a major boost for keen of the plant growth regulator causes indoor gardeners. From simple seed this growth to occur. These shoots, once germination to advanced tissue culture, sufficiently developed, are divided up we have access to specific equipment into individual clumps and grown on in and products to make this a fun and another flask where they are induced productive process. No doubt in the to form tiny roots by application of future we will see further advancements another plant growth hormone in the in propagation technology and tools as agar gel substrate. Then the plantlets research into these plant processes is are grown until they are large enough continually ongoing.

References R G Linderman and C A Call, (1977). “Enhanced rooting of woody plant cuttings by Mycorrhizal fungi”. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci 102(5): 629-632.

E Benizri, E Baudoin and A Guckert, (2001). “Root Colonization by inoculated plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria.” Biocontrol Science and technology Vol 11(5): 557-754.

W Middleton, B C Jarvis and A Booth, (1978). “The boron requirement for root development in stem cuttings of Phaseolus Aureus Roxb.” New Phytologist Vol 81(2): 287-297.

tips and tricks

Cheap ‘n’ Easy Starts:

How to Germinate Seeds at Home

by Heather Rhoades

Buying plants is expensive, but if you learn how to germinate seeds, you’ll never have to worry about spending too much for plant starts again.

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Many people will tell you that one of the most expensive parts of gardening is buying the plants. The best way to avoid this problem is to simply grow your own plants from seeds. Once you learn how to germinate seeds, you will always be able to have cheap plants. It is easy to get started with cheap seed starting.

How to germinate seeds Start with seeds that are less than two years old, a soilless seed starting medium of some kind and a container that can help hold moisture in. A soilless seed starting medium will insure that the seeds and seedlings are not killed by too much salt or salinity (frequently found in soil or even regular soilless mixes). The soilless seed starting medium can be an actual soilless seed starting mix from your local nursery, or a folded paper towel. If you choose to use a paper towel, you will need to move the germinated seeds to soil or another growing medium after they have sprouted.

This container you select should hold in moisture. A plastic container is ideal for this. Some people might use a Tupperware container while others might use a Ziploc bag. The next step is to dampen (but do not soak) the soilless seed starting medium and place it in the container. This will ensure that the seeds continuously receive the appropriate amount of moisture.

Now, find a warm place to put your seeds.

Warmth is another important factor that affects seed germination. Many people find that the top of their refrigerator is ideal, but you can use a

“The most commons

factors that affect seed germination are moisture, salinity and heat.”

heating pad set very low or even the top of your TV. Anywhere that has a very low, steady heat. You should always keep your seed germination container out of direct sunlight, even if the package specifies they need sun to germinate. If you need the sunlight, place in indirect light.

Check your seeds often to see if they have sprouted. Germination time for seeds varies and should be marked on the seed packet. Once they have sprouted, vent the container by opening it a little bit. If using a paper towel, move the seedlings to proper soil, otherwise transplant seedlings when they have two true leaves.

Factors that affect seed germination The factors that affect seed germination vary from plant species to species, but there are a few that are standard. The most commons factors that affect seed germination are moisture, salinity and heat. If the seeds you are growing are not germinated in what is considered a standard way, the seed packet will state this in the directions.

Contrary to popular belief on how to germinate seeds, sunlight is not a standard factor that influences seed germination (unless otherwise stated on the seed packet). In fact, sunlight can do more harm than good as it might overheat the seeds and seedlings and kill them.

Now that you know how to germinate seeds and you can do cheap seed starting, you can grow your own cheap plants!

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Lights

: & CO2 Pros & Cons

by Matt LeBannister

CO2 enrichment can dramatically improve your overall grow, but did you know that your choice of lighting can affect this process?

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Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a hugely important component in the process of photosynthesis and therefore, overall plant health. This is especially so with rapid growing plants. There is roughly 300 to 400 ppm of CO2 in the air we breathe and these rapid growing plants can use that up very quickly. Grow can dramatically slow when the CO2 levels drop below 200 ppm. Enriching your growroom to 1,200 to1,500 ppm of CO2 is the logical next step to improve plant development.

At this range plant growth is accelerated as much as two to three times and crop yields can be increased by 20 to 30%. For CO2 enrichment to be effective one must have all other aspects of your indoor garden running perfectly.

One main factor that I have been asked about recently is lights and which style of lights are the best for gardens utilizing CO2 enrichment. Here I offer some pros and cons regarding the most popular types of garden lights. Just keep in mind much of this is based on personal opinion. Each of the following varieties will do the job, some just better than others.

Fluorescent Fluorescent light bulbs come in a number a varieties. The most popular for gardens are the newer T5 high output bulbs. They usually come in banks of two or more and are generally 2- to 4-ft. long.

Pros There are benefits to gardening with fluorescent light bulbs. The create very even lighting and can be positioned all around the garden, even vertically. And can be placed very close to the leave canopy. They are low wattage and will save you some money on your electricity bill and are low heat.

Cons The fact that they are low heat can be a bad thing when enriching your growroom with CO2.

Plants benefiting from CO2 enrichment can tolerate higher temperatures and actually prefer it.

A room temperature of 85ºF will boost the metabolic rates of the plants and speed up growth.

Rapid growing plants, especially those be boosted

by CO2, need as much light as possible. Fluorescent lights, even T5s, are not intense enough to really maximize the benefits of the extra CO2.

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Lights and CO2

HIDs

need annual replacement to maintain high lumen levels and spectrum.”

Replacing fluorescent bulbs and changing them for different stages of growth, i.e., bloom and vegetative, can be costly. After a year of use the lumen output of these bulbs will have dropped dramatically.

In my opinion, fluorescent bulbs are not ideal when enriching your garden with CO2.

LEDs LED stands for “light emitting diode.” They are relatively new to the market and are no doubt the future of indoor gardening.

Pros LEDs use an extremely low amount of electricity. They also give off next to no heat and can safely touch the leaf canopy without the risk of burning. LEDs can also last upwards of 10 years without requiring replacement.

Cons There are downsides to using LEDs in CO2enriched gardens. LED light fixtures are not really available in larger sizes yet and most CO2enhanced gardens are at least 10 by 10 ft. It is really hard to regulate the amount of CO2 in a space any smaller than that and most LEDs on the market today are really only suited for 4 by 4 ft. spaces.

The spectrum on most LEDs are neutral and not interchangeable for the bloom and vegetative stages of plant growth. LEDs are also very low heat which, as mentioned with the fluorescent, can hinder plant growth.

There is no doubt in my mind that LEDs are the future of indoor gardening and will

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Lights and CO2

someday replace all types of gardening lights, but right now I feel like they are still unproven.

That, coupled with their lack of heat and intensity mean they are not ideal for CO2-enriched indoor gardens unless they are set up in large arrays.

HIDs High intensity discharge (HID) is a broad term for metal halide (MH), high pressure sodium (HPS) and mercury lamps. They come in a variety of strengths and spectrums.

Pros One-thousand-watt HID bulbs can cover an area as large as 8 by 8 ft. or higher.

You can interchange MH bulbs for the vegetative stage of plant development and HPS for the bloom stage of plant development, thus maximizing the PAR watts within each spectrum. This is also cost effective by comparison versus fluorescent bulbs especially when you consider the digital ballasts available that can fire both MH and HPS bulbs.

HID bulbs do give off considerable heat, but this can be beneficial for plants being enriched with CO2 as they do best around 85ºF.

Cons High levels of heat can be detrimental if it causes evaporation of the nutrient solution in your reservoir. This can cause the nutrient levels to become too concentrated leading to nutrient toxicities and leaf burn. One must be vigilant and constantly check and maintain the ideal nutrient to water ratios.

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HIDs do need annual replacement to maintain high lumen levels and spectrum. In addition, they are high-wattage lights so you will spend more on electricity than the previously mentioned alternatives.

In my opinion, HIDs are still the go-to light when enriching your garden with CO2. They are tried and tested, have the heat the plants will crave and are intense enough to efficiently cover larger areas.

All of these lights will work fine when adding CO2 to your garden. My choice of HIDs over fluorescents and LEDs is largely based on personal opinion and anecdotal evidence. Don’t be afraid to try things out for yourself or consult your local hydroponic retailer for their expert opinion.

avant gardening

by Tristan Shaw

Considering

Organo-chemical Culture

If you cherish the principles of organic agriculture, or are someone who has long considered switching to a more organic form of growing but do not want to sacrifice any yield because of it, perhaps the method of organo-chemical culture will spark your interest…

Chemical fertilizers, as the green revolution so pointedly revealed, have a greater capacity to maximize yields in a given amount of space. Some studies have suggested the difference in commercial agriculture—specifically with vegetables requiring high concentrations of nitrogen— can be as much as 34%.

However, in attempting to achieve a high-output system by utilizing only chemical fertilizers can (and, in most cases, does) bring with it an array of potentially damaging consequences: lockout, acidic soil, loss in microbial activity and decreased resilience to disease and mildew, to name a few. Furthermore, providing a nitrogen-heavy plant with the all required N-P-K through chemical means will ensure no deficiencies in heavy compounds, but might create other deficiencies in trace elements, reducing quality and potential yield.

In contrast, it is proven that citrus grown organically has more secondary plant compounds and vitamin C than citrus produced with chemical food, while organic corn has more protein and organic kiwi has more antioxidants.

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So, with all this in mind, is it possible to utilize the short-term benefits of chemical fertilizers while avoiding their negative effects? Or, worded differently, is it possible to use both chemical and organic feed to create some sort of reciprocal balance?

This is exactly the logic behind organochemical culture. And the results have proven exceedingly positive.

The easiest way to employ the principles of organo-chemical culture is to equip your growing medium with a few basic necessities of organics. For instance, adding worm castings (or bat guano) to your soil will provide a healthy amount of trace minerals, natural N-P-K and humic acid to increase the nutrient availability in the soil. This also enhances the organic matter (bio-humus) necessary for better water retention and pH buffering. To buffer the pH even further, lime can also be added. Ancient glacial rock dust will ensure no lack in trace elements, and bone meal is another cheap addition.

Modify your soil however you see fit, but note that organo-chemical culture requires less perlite than most indoor chemical growers use, as the use of lime and worm castings offsetting the harmful effects of soil acidity. Besides, it is much more beneficial for microbial life to have more natural matter in the medium. Once your soil is loaded with organic goodies, beneficial bacteria will enjoy a much more suitable environment.

It is also necessary to feed these microbes all along the way by adding natural carbohydrates like molasses in every feed. Molasses is cheap, especially when made from the by-product of sugar beets, and also contain many trace elements. Fish enzymes, seaweed and humic acid are also great additions to most, if not all, waterings.

So, we have set the basic groundwork for any successful organic crop. Usually, if you throw in a few other foods, this is the limit of organics. This is restricting for, say, nitrate availability. The N-P-K of organics is released slowly or is limited based on innate natural ratios. (Just as a simple disclaimer, organics can yield great results, but the process is more difficult to achieve and subject to uncertainties, which are not problems calculated chemical formulas have.) This is where chemicals are introduced into the system.

A chemical three-part formula is applied to each watering, although more pure waterings will be required and perhaps a longer flush. With the advent of organic soil, the regular chemical formula can be adjusted to suit the situation (like reducing or completely eliminating nitrogen towards the end of the cycle). Now, you will have much more room to play around with feed ratios because your plants will still have access to a healthy amount of N-P-K in your medium. You also have the chemical arsenal at your disposal if you run into any problems like bug infestations. And the plants will be much more resilient, not just to sprayings, but also to disease and mildew.

Organo-chemical growing applies the best of both worlds. Too much sodium nitrate will slowly nullify humus particles (responsible for the uptake of vital nutrients and trace minerals) in the soil. Having a foundation of organic matter in your soil directly combats these effects, including the gradual change in acidity, hostile to beneficial microbial life. This also means that reusing the soil is now a viable option.

Organo-chemical culture increases nutrient uptake by equalizing natural ratios in the soil, increases plant vigor, harbors beneficial bacteria, decreases acidity, allows for better water retention and makes available all the required micronutrients and trace elements that could be lacking in a polar chemical method. All in all, it’s an easy way to add that extra edge to your system.

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up

T N E R E F F I D A KIND of

FERTILIZER: s d i l o s o i B o t n o i t c u d o r t n I n a

Although biosolids are banned for agricultural use in many areas of the United States, the subject deserves a closer look…

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Greenwa y N

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N

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A different kind of fertilizer

“Biosolid” is a public relations term for treated municipal sewage sludge, which is sometimes sold or given to consumers and farms to be used as a nutrient source for gardens and crops. Biosolids contain about 4% nitrogen, and several micronutrients. An estimated 3.5 to 5.4 million dry tons of biosolids are used annually as nutrients for farms and landscapes, and by homeowners.

Biosolids are a product of sewage treatment. Waste products enter the sewage system through toilets, drains and other venues, and are collected at sewage facilities known as wastewater treatment plants. Untreated sewage contains everything that has entered the system, not only human waste products, but anything else that gets dumped into the sewer system.

Untreated sewage is considered to be a biohazard as it can contain human susceptible pathogens or medical waste. It can also be a chemical hazard depending on the amount of drain cleaners, solvents or other potentially toxic chemicals present.

Sewage sludge is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a solid, semi-solid or liquid residue generated from the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works. “Sewage sludge includes scum or solids removed in primary, secondary or advanced wastewater treatment processes and any material derived from sewage sludge,” according to the EPA’s publication “The Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge–Part 503.” It also specifically mentions that material comprised of 99% industrial waste and 1% domestic

waste can still be considered “biosolids” after treatment since it contains some domestic wastewater product.

The details of treatment vary, but it generally starts with the removal of large objects that could damage the processing equipment with the use of a bar screen.

The waste is then allowed to settle. The portion of the material that sinks to the bottom and is the sewage sludge, and the portion that floats is called scum. The scum is sometimes collected and reintroduced to the

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collected sewage sludge after the water between the layers has been removed. Much of the water is removed and after filtration and treatment is often released into rivers and oceans. The majority of studies involving sewage treatment effectiveness has centered around this wastewater effluent, and not the leftover sewage sludge. After the sewer sludge has been collected, it is further treated before it can be labeled as biosolids (or, in some instances, the term “compost” is used).

“An estimated 3.5 to 5.4 million dry tons of biosolids are used annually as nutrients for farms and landscapes.”

Treatment to convert biosolids into Class A biosolids can be accomplished by aerobic composting, anerobic composting, heat drying or pasteurization. These methods reduce the amount of live pathogens present in the material. Class B biosolids have less stringent requirements, and use is restricted to areas where public access is limited, such as food crop production and grazing lands.

Biosolids can be spread on forest sites or placed on agricultural fields as “surface disposal sites.”

Cattle and other animals meant for human consumption are allowed to graze on surface disposal sites as long as there is documentation that they will “ensure protection of public health and the environment from any reasonably anticipated adverse effects of certain pollutants that can be present in biosolids,” the EPA says. Class B biosolids can be applied to food crops or grazing land as long as the edible portions do not touch the surface of the soil, and harvest is at least 30 days

after the last application. If the edible portions touch the soil, the last application must have been over 14 months before harvest. Grazing animals cannot be allowed back onto the pasture for 30 days after application. People are also restricted from the site for 30 days on a farm, or one year for general public access. Class A biosoilds are those that have undergone additional composting or drying treatments.

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A different kind of fertilizer

EQ biosolids show lower levels of heavy metals and pathogens, and are exempt from these restrictions. These biosolids can be sold or given away in bulk, mixed with soil amendments and sold to consumers, or bagged for direct consumer use.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) purchased nine offthe-shelf samples of biosolids available to consumers for study. The samples were tested for 87 different pollutant chemicals selected for their ability to pass though current treatments essentially intact.

Out of the 87 chemicals tested, 55 were present in at least one of the samples. Every sample had 25 chemicals in common, with one sample having measurable levels of 45. Some of the organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) they all had in common include an antimicrobial disinfectant, an antihistamine, an antiepileptic drug and steroids.

“The study concluded that biosolids have high concentrations of these emerging contaminants compared to treated liquid wastewater effluent.”

These contaminates were found to comprise up to 1,811 ppm in the biosolids tested. The study concluded that biosolids have high concentrations of these emerging contaminants compared to treated liquid wastewater effluent. “What is not known at present is the transport, fate and potential ecological effects of these contaminants once biosolids are applied to agricultural fields, garden plots, and landscaped plants and shrubs,” states the USGS document “Household Chemicals and Drugs Found in Biosolids from Wastewater Treatment Plants.”

Another study from the Environmental Science and Technology department of Colorado State University of Pueblo found elevated levels of these types of chemicals found in earthworms taken from areas of repeated biosolid use.

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A different kind of fertilizer

“The thought is that the more bacteria is exposed to antibiotics from sewage products, the more likely a random mutation will result in a resistant form.”

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One concern of introducing contaminants such as antibiotics into the environment is that they might encourage the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The thought is that the more bacteria is exposed to antibiotics from sewage products, the more likely a random mutation will result in a resistant form.

Although the information on long term effects of the use of biosolids is inconclusive at this time, the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program, a of long term intensive land disposal of treated sewage in Cape Cod, has shown the damage caused to nearby an aquifer will take at least decades to return to precontamination conditions.

While the question of how best to cope with accumulated sewage sludge is becoming increasingly more important as overpopulation continues, there are ways to deal with it that might prove safer than to store it in our lawns, gardens, and food sources. Alternative uses include using it as a fuel source, in bioreactors or to help restore already damaged landscapes like those left from mining or as a cover material for landfills.

One possible cause for concern in the use of treated sewage sludge is the intentional misrepresentation of the product to the consumer. Amendment products that contain biosolids might or might not be labeled clearly as such, and the meaning of the organic-sounding word “biosolid” is not commonly understood by the public. Foods grown under conditions where they are exposed to biosolids, even under direct contact, are not required to bear any indication to allow the consumer to make an informed choice in making purchasing selections.

For more information on sewage sludge and biosolids, visit usgs.gov and epa.gov

You Tell tell Us us

The Botanicare team at the 2012 San Francisco Indoor Garden Expo. Left to Right: Victor, Kailey, Amanda, Alex, Aaron, Renee, Doug, Danny, Scott and Adam.

Maximum Yield recently spoke with Botanicare’s communications manager, Aaron Milldrum, about the company’s origins in the back of an Arizona hydroponics store, the importance of sharing education and how to set up a great growroom.

Tell us a little about how Botanicare started.

Seventeen years ago, the idea of Botanicare was developed by a small business owner in the back of an Arizona hydroponics store. In 1996, we began selling our first product, Pure Blend Original Organic Compost solution. Pure Blend Original was created to complement existing nutrient lines as a flavor and aroma enhancer. Over years, we have expanded our line to include hydroponic systems, base nutrients, supplements and grow mediums. This expansion and growth would not have been possible had we not stayed true to our values and company philosophy.

What are Botanicare’s philosophy and values?

As a company, we promote a culture of productivity and creativity, which encourages forward thinking ideas that lead to innovative results and products. We also believe in maintaining close contact with retailers and consumers of our products, which has allowed us to better understand the needs of the industry. This has allowed us to consistently bring the hydroponic industry innovative products.

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Botanicare continues to be a leader in the North American hydroponic industry, and we are committed to our core values that emphasize relationships, innovation, integrity and environmental and social responsibility. These core values embody our philosophy and have helped the company build a strong foundation to support its continued success while staying true to our roots.

Which was the first product you created?

Pure Blend Original is where it all started. Customers were looking for a way to increase flavors, aromas and overall quality. Pure Blend Original was developed to provide growers with a tool to consistently harvest the best-quality fruits and flowers. Pure Blend Original was the genesis of the well-known, “Botanicare quality.” In fact, staying true to our core value of innovation, this premier organic flavor and aroma enhancer just got better than ever. Pure Blend Tea (formerly Pure Blend Original) combines the key elements of both Pure Blend Original Grow and Bloom into one highly effective formula. Pure Blend Tea has the perfect balance of premium natural and organic ingredients fortified with ultra-soluble humates, organic plant acids, trace minerals, vitamins and select amino acids. Pure Blend Tea is still brewed in small batches, maintaining strict quality control, and still contains all of the major components that are essential to a significant increase in end quality.

What is your most popular selling product today?

Why do you think that is?

Cal-Mag Plus is the number one selling bottle for many retailers. It’s a great example of how maintaining a close relationship with our end-users enabled us to develop this popular product. As plant genetics improved, and the use of RO water and coco-based media increased, Botanicare recognized that growers were lacking a calcium and magnesium supplement. Some companies have tried to duplicate the Cal-Mag formula, but it remains the leader because growers trust the proven quality and consistency of Botanicare’s products.

“ we promote a culture of productivity and creativity, which encourages forward thinking ideas that lead to innovative results and products.”

You offer a lot of information on your website: Hydro 101, growroom layouts and nutrient calculators. Why do you think providing education to your customers is important?

Hydroponic gardening is often a challenging hobby or profession, especially when deciding where to start. We believe providing our customers with a strong foundation is critical to their success and the success of the industry. These tools help inspire and empower growers with the information they need to have a healthy and lucrative harvest.

system using Botanicare® Low Tide Trays. Coco coir is an ideal grow media because it is ecologically sustainable, easy to work with and increases growth rates. Although many people attempt to build their own drain trays using a variety of materials, the time saved using a plastic tray with an optimized drainage pattern has many advantages. The drainage grid helps remove excess water quickly, which combats humidity and decreases the chance of algae, mold and other pathogens from taking hold in standing water. Grow trays are also easy to clean, reconfigure and move from one growroom to the next. All Botanicare Trays are made of premium ABS plastic and are designed to last a lifetime.

How important do you think sustainability is to the indoor gardening industry as a whole? How do you incorporate environmental practices into your company?

Botanicare integrates sustainable and environmentally responsible measures into all facets of its business. Botanicare’s new thermoforming facility is one of Arizona’s largest private sector solar projects. Our facility currently has over 24,000 sq. ft. of solar paneling. Over the next 25 years, the use of these solar panels will prevent over 7 tn. of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the earth’s atmosphere. This equates to 170,000 trees being planted or eliminating the emissions of over 1,200 cars. Another way we stay environmentally responsible is by only selling coco-coir-based products. We are proud to offer a Cocogro plugs, a new cloning plug that is completely peat free! Why? Peat harvesting is not sustainable.

The microbial life contained in peat bogs is complex and stores mass amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

Also, if I was a beginner looking to set up a growroom, which layout and products would you suggest for me?

The first thing I always tell people is to set up a growroom that is manageable in both size and required resources.

Growers often make the mistake of taking on more garden than they have the resources for. A fully optimized 2,000-W set-up can outperform a 4,000-W garden that is constantly battling temperature fluctuations, humidity issues and poor air circulation. For the new gardener (and even the experienced), I always recommend a run-to-waste coco-coir-based Aaron Milldrum, communications manager>

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talking shop

AT A GLANCE Company: Maximum Grow Gardening Owner: Justin St. John Location: 6117 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: 1-317-359-GROW (4769) Web: maximumgrow.com Motto: “ Today’s Solution for Tomorrow’s Necessity.”

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Maximum Grow Gardening is the most interactive and informative hydroponics store in Indiana in the United States and it all started with a kid gardener who adored all things green.

Even as a youngster, Justin St. John loved digging in the dirt and turning tiny seedlings into full grown plants. Throughout his adventurous life, he continued to cultivate his hobby. In fact, as a United States Marine who often served in warmer climates, Justin noticed a longer growing season meant bigger and better yields, and he quickly fell in love with indoor gardening. “I realized winter didn’t have to hold me back,” Justin says. “I could garden through every season and maximize my yield.”

After 10 years of perfecting his indoor horticultural skills, Justin launched Maximum Grow Gardening in August 2011 with the goal of being more than the average hydroponics store. Walk into Maximum Grow, and you’ll be greeted by the most affable and approachable staff you could imagine, which usually includes Justin and his friend Daniel Haze, also an avid gardener. With Justin as a hydroponics expert and Daniel an organic and soil specialist, the duo offers a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their primary focus is to provide constant customer interaction and top-notch customer service. “I won’t be happy unless we’re the best,” Justin says. “I want our store to be completely interactive for our customers.”

Both Justin and Daniel have a passion for gardening, which allows them to go above and beyond simply answering questions and selling products.

Instead, they listen and problem solve, educate and teach, encourage and inspire. Throughout the operation, they interact with every shopper, ensuring all patrons develop a true understanding of the products they buy, as well as the task in front of them. “Our goal is to help first-time customers make educated decisions on the purchases they make,” Justin explains.

“ the Maximum Grow team breaks it down into the basics for beginners, offers insightful tips to experts and finds areas of growth for every level of gardener.”

In essence, Maximum Grow provides clients with the maximum experience. While some might find it intimidating to try their hand at hydro, the Maximum Grow team breaks it down into the basics for beginners, offers insightful tips to experts and finds areas of growth for every level of gardener. Their message to the client goes beyond one directed singularly to the hobbyist. These guys relish in the process, the science and the art of growing. “Formulating a superb, individual nutrient solution is a huge point of pride for hydroponic growers,” says Justin.

A quick look on the company’s advanced website shows Maximum Grow means business. Their selection of lighting and nutrient packages is abundant, and the store offers specialty items that give shoppers the opportunity to maximize their results. Gardeners of every skill level will find what they need to achieve success. As a further service, Justin designs and builds custom hydroponic systems based on the individual needs of the client. Amid the 4,000-sq.ft. facility is an interactive grow room showcasing several of his custom-built units. There is no better way to discover and explore the world of hydroponics. “There’s a lot of love in this room,” Daniel says. “It’s a handson way for customers to see how and why our products work.”

The growroom is a big draw not only for beginners, but experienced gardeners as well.

Whatever the crop of choice—from peppers to orchids and everything in between— Maximum Grow can design and build the perfect hydro system.

While his first days in business were hard, Justin prevailed by hitting the streets, volunteering at local community gardens and schools and sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone he met. “My ultimate goal is to inspire the younger generation to understand the importance of gardening,” he says.

It didn’t take long for word of mouth to kick in, and the rest is history. “It’s not work,” Justin says. “I get to enjoy my passion everyday and share it with my clients.”

With a pristine operation, infectious enthusiasm and insistence on the best, Justin will no doubt achieve his many goals through Maximum Grow. The company is currently expanding its current location by 2,000 sq.ft. and plans to open a second location in fall 2013.

Justin St. John (L) and Daniel Haze (R) showing off their collection of Maximum Yield magazines.

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

163

DO YOU KNOW?

1.

2.

Light deprivation is a technique that cuts out sunlight from your greenhouse when you require extra hours of darkness to flower your plants. It gives a gardener the ability to step into the same game as an indoor grower while receiving all the benefits of greenhouse growing.

The most commons factors that affect seed germination are moisture, salinity and heat.

Contrary to popular belief, sunlight is not a standard factor that influences seed germination.

In fact, sunlight can do more harm than good as it can overheat the seeds and seedlings and kill them.

Always double check the package instructions.

Cuttings and seedlings that have been fed silica tend to show less shock during root formation and transplanting. Introducing silica early on in the plant’s life is also said to reduce the chances of leaf curl.

4.

5.

Toxins from pesticides and chemical fertilizers can find their way into the grower’s living space.

Unsuspecting gardeners might touch a wall or piece of equipment in their gardens not realizing the residual insecticide they sprayed just a few days prior is still active. Always use caution!

Some woods contain tannins, which are toxic to plants, and therefore need to be composted for lengthier periods of time if they are to be used in your garden. For freshly gathered pinebark, wood chips or course sawdust, composting for at least a year under warm climatic conditions is recommended.

When a traditional red tomato is changing from the orange to red color, the acidity drops, which increases the fruit’s pH. This has important ramifications to harvesting as tomatoes that are fully vine ripened can have a reduced blend of acid to sugar.

7.

8.

6.

Foods grown under conditions where they are exposed to biosolids (treated sewage waste) are not required to bear any indication to allow the consumer to make an informed choice in making purchasing selections.

Sodium-chloride softened water should never be given to your plants, especially in a hydroponic garden, as plants are very sensitive to levels of sodium.

Deciding the intensity of artificial light you give your seedlings and transplants will often have more to do with temperature, as they are sealed up tight underneath a humidity dome. This is because seedlings or cuttings can get dehydrated in environments that are too warm.

164

3.

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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10 facts on... iron

by Philip mcintosh

Iron, atomic symbol Fe and atomic number 26, is a brittle, silvery gray metal of great biological and economic importance.

Like many other transition metals, it has a number of different oxidation states but the +2 and +3 ions are of greatest biological importance.

Most plants will be okay if the iron concentration in their dried matter is about 50 ppm; however, some plants accumulate concentrations of many times that without ill effect.

Chlorophyll is green. This explains why plants that are deficient in iron lose their green color, since they can’t make enough chlorophyll.

Iron deficiency symptoms are not always so clear-cut though, and can be mistaken for deficiencies of sulfur, manganese or zinc.

Why does it have the symbol Fe? It is one of the oldest known metals and was called ferrum by the ancient Romans.

Iron plays a role in many energy transfer reactions in plants because it can readily be made to switch back and forth between the +2 and +3 oxidations states by adding or removing an electron.

Iron is required for the synthesis of the complex molecule chlorophyll, which is critical in the process of photosynthesis.

Iron is not very soluble at neutral pH, which is why it is almost always provided chelated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or other chelating agents.

Chelators wrap around the iron to keep it protected from other ions so it stays dissolved and does not precipitate out of the nutrient.

The concentration of iron in nutrient solutions is sufficient at about 2 to 3 ppm. Since the concentration of iron in water supplies varies, it is a good idea to test for it before designing a nutrient formulation for a particular application.

166

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors ALABAMA Alabama Organics 3348 Bethel Rd., Hammondville, AL 35989 256-635-0802 Hydro-Ponics Inc. (of Birmingham)

2969 Pelham Pkwy. Suite. 3 Pelham AL 35124 205-358-3009

ALASKA Far North Garden Supply 2834 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99504 907-333-3141 Southside Garden Supply AK 12870 Old Seward Hwy., Unit 114, Anchorage, AK 99515 907-339-9997 Holmtown Nursery Inc. 1301 - 30th Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-451-8733 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204 East Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-7643 Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234 480-633-2100 Ground Control Hydroponic & Garden Supplies 1392 Ocean Dr. Homer, AK 99603 907-235-1521 Northern Lights Greenhouse & Garden Supply Suite 105-9737 Mud Bay Rd., Ketchikan, AK 9901 907-225-GROW (4769) Mesa Hydroponics 1720 W. Southern Ave, Ste. C7 Mesa, AZ 85202 480-969-4769 Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics and Garden Supply 1150 S. Colony Way, Ste.9, Palmer, AK 99645 907-746-4774 Peninsula Garden Supply AK 44224 Sterling Highway, Suite 4, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-420-0401 Alaska Jack's Hydroponics and Garden Supply 244 S Sylvan Way Unit 25 Wasilla AK 99654 907-373-4757 Far North Garden Supply 300 Centaur Street, Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-7586 ARIZONA Arizona Hydroponics 3900 E Western Dr #D Cottonwood AZ 86326 928-649-1138 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204-C E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-SOGF (7643) Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert AZ 85234 480-633-2100 The Hydro Closet 5826 West Olive Ave. #106, Glendale, AZ 85302 602-361-2049

Sea of Green West 2340 W. Bell Rd., Suite 116, Phoenix, AZ 602-504-8842 Show Low Hydroponics 1400 E. Deuce of Clubs #2 Show Low, AZ 85901 928-537-4606 ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137 Home Grown Hydroponics 1845 East Broadway Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096 Sea of Green Hydroponics 1301 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ, 85281 800-266-4136 _________________________ Gonzo Grow 10297 W Van Buren St., Suite 8 Tolleson, AZ 85353 623-780-GROW (4769) _________________________ Sea of Green Hydroponics 402 North 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-6344 Sea of Green Tuscon East 7955 E. Broadway Blvd., #151., Tucson, AZ 85710 520-751-7745 _________________________

Tucson Hydroponics & Organics 4235 W. Ina Rd., Ste. 131 Tucson, AZ 85741 520-395-2052 _________________________ ARKANSAS Mickey’s Mercantile 1303 Hwy., 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031 501-412-0214 Old Soul Organics and More 1771 Crossover Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-444-6955 Growfresh Organics & More 2900 Zero St., Ste 106, Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-648-8885 Fermentables 3915 Crutcher St., N. Little Rock, AR 72118 501-758-6261 Anuway Hydroponics 2711 W. Walnut St., Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-0099 CALIFORNIA Greenleaf Hydroponics 1839 W Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801 714-254-0005 Grow It Yourself Gardens 401 Sunset Dr., Suite F, Antioch, CA 94509 925-755-GROW High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Rd., #7, Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 _________________________

American Hydroponics 286 South G St., Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543 Let it Grow 160 Westwood Center, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-8733 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 639 6th St., Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998 _________________________ Sweet Harvest Hydroponics & Organics

1041 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 805-473-0004 Auburn Organic 4035 Grass Valley Hwy., Auburn, CA 95602 530-823-8900

Quail Mountain Ranch 230 Palm Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-2390 Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Dr., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171 Bakersfield Hydroponics Bakersfield , CA 661-808-4640 _________________________

Stop N Grow 5455 Rosedale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-859-1988 _________________________ Green with Envy

3903 Patton Way #103 Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-245-2616 Kern Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333 _________________________

The Hydro Shop 3980 Saco Rd., Bakersfield, CA 661-399-3336 _________________________ Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009 Berkeley Indoor Garden 844 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-2918 Berkeley’s Secret Garden 921 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-486-0117 The Hydroponic Connection Berkeley

2816 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley CA 94702 510-704-9376

The Grow Shop LLC

1733 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix AZ 85006 602-340-7591 Home Grown Hydroponics 1838 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-368-4005

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

A Fertile World 5565 W End Rd Arcata, CA 95521 707-825-0255 _________________________

Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics

560 Valdry Ct #85, Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704

Good To Grow & Global Garden Supply 1350 Rollins Rd., Burlingame, CA, 94010 650-733-4420 Advanced Garden Supply 3113 Alhambra Dr., Unit F, Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-2100 Sky High Garden Supply 3081 Alhambra Dr. Suite 105 Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-4009 Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176 Elite Horticulture Supply 22330 Sherman Way, C13, Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-347-5172 Hydro International 7935 Alabama Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304 Advanced Hydroponics 17808 Sierra Hwy., Canyon Country, CA 91351 Myron L Company 2450 Impala Dr., Carlsband, CA 9210-7226 760-438-2021; 661-299-1603 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Carlsbad CA, 92011 760-420-8934 _________________________

The Greenhouse Garden Supply 7619 Fair Oak Blvd.

Carmichael, CA 95608 916-515-9130 thegreenhousegardensupply.com _________________________ NorCal Creations PO Box 28, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 Garden Connection, The 629 Entler Ave. #32 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-7762 Hydro King 2540 South Whitman Place, Chico, CA 959282 530-893-GROW (4769) Grow4Less Garden Supply & Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Dr., Suite L Chula Visa, CA 91910 619-425-GROW _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North 645 Marsat Court #101 Chula Vista, CA 91911 619-737-9272 _________________________

Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264 Under The Sun 13361 East Highway 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA USA 95423 707-998-GROW G & G Organics and Hydroponics

901 W. Victoria Street Unit D, Compton, CA 90220 310-632-0122 Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520 Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Ave., Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615 123 Grow 2175 Sampson Ave. #123, Corona, CA 92879 951-280-9232 Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics 1307 W. Sixth St., #211, Corona, CA 92882 951-479-8069 The Hydro Spot 21785 Temescal Cyn Rd., Corona, CA 92883 A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776 The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 Let it Grow 1228 2nd St., Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-9086 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1070 Highway 101, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-1200 _________________________ Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354 Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies 566 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville, CA 94526 925-314-9376 Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D St., Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774 Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Dr., Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710 Appleseed Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190

Citrus Heights Hydrogarden 8043 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-728-4769

Victory Garden Supply 1900 N Lincoln St., #100 Dixon, CA 95620 707-678-5800

Green Thumb Hydroponics 6412 Tupelo Drive Citrus Heights CA 95621 916-721-6969

Watch it Grow Hydro

9453 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA USA 562-861-1928

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

171

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca St., El Cajon, CA 93612 619-749-6777 Indoor Garden Solution Inc. 12424 Exline St., El Monte, CA 91732, 626-453-0443 Go Green Hydroponics 15721 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436 818-990-1198 _________________________

A Fertile World (Eureka) 6th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200 _________________________ Bayside Garden Supply 4061 Highway 101 Ste 6 Eureka, CA 95503 707-826-7435 ________________________

Humboldt Hydroponics 1302 Union St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-4304 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 60 West 4th St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 _________________________ Happy Green Lawn Care

3890 Walnut Drive Eureka, CA USA 95534 Tel: 707-497-6186 Fax: 707-832-2255 Constantly Growing 4301 Hazel Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043 Fallbrook Hydro 208 E Mission Rd., Ste B Fallbrook, CA 92028 760-728-4769 _________________________

Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Ave., Unit A, Farmersville, CA 93223 559-732-8247 _________________________ Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9000 _________________________

Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply 164 Dinsmore Dr., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-726-0395 _________________________ The Shop 6542 Front Str., Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2280 Dirt Cheap Hydroponics 17975 H Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4211

172

Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 _________________________

A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 357 Main St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550 _________________________ Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply 41451 Albrae St., Fremont, CA 94577 510-623-8393 _________________________ Gro More Garden Supply & Hydroponics Gro More Garden Supply 2686 Clovis Ave., Ste.109 Fresno, CA 93727 559-348-1055 _________________________

Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 _________________________ Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery 403 W. Olive Ave., Fresno, CA 93728 559-495-1140 Valley Hydroponics 207 E. Sierra Ave. Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 714-253-Grow (4769) SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788 Golden Gecko Garden Center 4665 Marshall Rd., Garden Valley, CA 95633 530-333-2394 Probiotic Solutions 20889 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA 95441 707-354-4342 South Valley Hydroponics

320 Kishimura Dr., #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 866-848-GROW _________________________

Zen Hydroponics 1801 Victory Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91201 877 ZEN Grow; 818-806-4500 _________________________

Stop N Grow 340 Pine Ave., Goleta, CA 93003 805-685-3000 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

_________________________

Grass Valley Hydrogarden 12506 Loma Rica Drive Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-477-2996 grassvalleyhydrogarden.com _________________________ Dirt Cheap Hydroponic 151 N 7th St. #4 Grover Beach CA 93433 805-473-3478 _________________________

Hydro Life Hydroponics

18109 E Valley Blvd La Puente CA 91744 626 581 8800 La Habra Hydroponics 1301 S Beach Blvd., Suite O. La Habra, CA 90631 562-947-8383 _________________________

Grass Roots Hydroponics 31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 951-245-2390 _________________________ South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan St., Suite E Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252 Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply

All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388 _________________________

AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990 _________________________

Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187 _________________________ West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Hwy., Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769 Joy's Green Garden Supply 340-A Elm Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927 831-674-1416 M.G.S. 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94541; 510-582-0900

43 Soda Bay Rd., Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-4000 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics East County 11649 Riverside Dr., Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-3276 _________________________

Total Hydroponics Center Inc 4820 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712 562-984-GROW (4769) _________________________ Weather Top Nursery 44901 Harmon Dr., Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385 CNG Garden Supplies

22 Ricknbacker Circle, Livermore, CA 94551 925-454-9376 DL Wholesale 6764 Preston Ave. Suite D Livermore CA 94551 510-550-0018 _________________________

American Ave Hydroponics

1208 W. Winton Ave., Hayward CA 94545 510 785 4376 Thrive Hydroponics 30-A Mill Street Healdsburg CA USA 95448 707-433-4068 Bear Valley Hydroponics & Homebrewing 17455 Bear Valley Rd., Hesperia CA 92345 760-949-3400 Emerald Garden 13325 South Hwy. 101, Hopland, CA 95482 707-744-8300 Surf City Hydroponics 7391 Warner Ave. Ste B Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-847-7900 Hydroluv Hydroponics

16582 Gothard St Huntington Beach CA 92647 714-916-0428 Dutch Garden Supplies Park Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614 949-748-8777 West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 6485 Brisa Street, Livermore, CA 94550 888-570-4678 (Southern CA) _________________________ Garden Depot, The 203 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Lodi, CA 95240 209-339-9950 Valley Rock Landscape Supply 2222 N H Street; Lompoc CA 93436 805-736-0841; 805-735-5921 562 Hydro Shop 717 East Artesia Blvd.

Long Beach Ca,90805 562-726-1101 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 2405 Mira Mar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636 _________________________ Grow Light Express 5318 East Second St. Suite 164, Long Beach, CA 90803 888-318-GROW

_________________________

Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics 1772 Clark Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525 _________________________ Atwater Hydroponics 3350 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-663-8881 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 16705 Roscoe Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91406 818-672-8880 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 3865 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-398-0700 _________________________ Green Door Hydro and Solar 830 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013 212-625-1323 Hardman Hydroponics 3511 Youree Dr., Shreveport Los Angeles 71105 318-865-0317 Hollywood Hydroponics & Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908 Hydroasis 2643 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90232 888-355-4769 LAX Hydro 10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90304 310-337-6995 Nirvana Hydroponics 340 South San Pedro Los Angeles, CA 90013 310-795-2914 _________________________

Sunland Hydroponics 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90065 323-254-2800 _________________________

Superior Hydroponic Supply 5651 Hollywood Blvd., 90028 Los Angeles,CA 323 465-grow (4769) _________________________ Green Giant Hydroponics 7183 Hwy. 49 Unit B Lotus, CA 95651; 530-622-4465 Big Momma’s 11455 Clayton Creek Rd., Lower Lake, CA 95457 707-994-1788 California Green Hydroponics 16491 Rd., 26, Suite 101 Madera, California 93638 559-674-1400

Grow 22333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 101 Malibu, CA 90265; 310-456-2910 Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-376-0567 B & S Gardening Supplies 592 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648 Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply

218 Reindollar Ave., Suite 7A, Marina, CA 93933 831-38-HYDRO Two Chix Garden Supply 1230 Yuba St., Marysville, CA 95901 530-923-2536 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way McKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998 _________________________ Mendocino Garden Shop PO Box 1301, 44720 Maint St. (at Hwy. 1), Mendocino, CA 95460 707-937-3459 Hooked Up Hydroponics 1004 W. 15th St. Suite B & C, Merced, Ca 95340 209-723-1300 Indoor/Outdoor Garden Supply 1501 W. Main St., Merced, CA 95340 209-580-4425 The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840 Mission Viejo Hydroponics 24002 Via Fabricante Suite 502 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-380-1894 Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics 116 West Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, CA 95350 209-567-0590 Year Round Garden Supply 11000 Carver Rd. #20 Modesto, CA 95350 209-522-2727 _________________________

Green Light Hydroponics 2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 818-640-2623 _________________________ 247 Garden

1101 Monterey Pass Rd. Unit B Monterey Park CA 91754 323-318-2600 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070 Murphys Hydroponics & Organics 785 Murphys Creek Road Suite C2 Murphys, CA 95247 209-728-8058 Redwood Garden Supply 55 Myers Ave., Myers Flat, CA 95554 707-943-1515

_________________________

Endless Green Hydroponics 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558 707-254-0200 _________________________ Wyatt Supply 4407 Solano Ave., Napa, CA 94558 707-251-3747 _________________________

Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Rd., #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596 _________________________ Big Momma’s 2581 Stokes Ave., Nice, CA 95464 707-274-8369 _________________________

Stop N Grow 640 S. Frontage Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444 805-619-5125 _________________________

Foothill Hydroponics 10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-760-0688 _________________________ One Stop Hydroponics 12822 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606 818-980-5855 Lumatek Digital Ballasts 33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite B Novato, CA 94949 415-233-4273 Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael CA 94901 415-482-8802 Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Ave., Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr. Oakhurst CA 93644 559-683-6622 3rd Street Hydroponics 692 4th Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521 Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Hydrobrew 1319 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084

Cultivate Ontario 2000 Grove Ave. #a110 Ontario, CA 91761 909-781-6142 Flairform 1751 S Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 213-596-8820 GreenCoast Ontario Unit 102-103 1920 S. Rochester Ave., Ontario, CA 909-605-5777 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 _________________________ Palm Tree Hydroponics 2235 E 4th St, Suite G Ontario, CA 91764 909-941-9017 _________________________

RH Distribution 1751 S. Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-545-8112 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 496 Meats Ave., Orange, CA 92865 714-974-4769 _________________________ Greenback Garden Supply 9341 Greenback Ln., Ste C Orangevale, CA 95662 530-391-4329 _________________________

Advanced Soil & Garden Supply 350 Oro Dam Boulevard, Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-2747 _________________________ Igro Hydro 2280 Veatch St., Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4476 Orville Organic Gardens 5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1 Oroville, CA 95966 530-589-9950 US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Ave.,, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086 Pacifica Hydroponics 90 Eureka Square Pacifica, CA 94044 650-355-5100 _________________________

America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit D Palmdale, CA 93551 661-266-3906 _________________________

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Hillside Hydro & Garden 4570 Pleasant Valley Rd., Placerville CA 95662 530-644-1401

Hydroponics Unlimited 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D” Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906 _________________________

All Elements Hydroponics & Gardening Supply 5623 Motherlode Drive Placerville, CA 95667 530-642-4215 Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Ave., Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505 Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099 Emerald Garden 8249 Archibald Ave., Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730 909-466-3796 Radiant Roots Gardening & Hydroponics 1394 S Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 310-540-2005 Shadow Valley Aquatics 75 Kimick Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-526-0479 Bear Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215 Dazey’s Supply 3082 Redwood Dr., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3002 Humboldt Hydroponics 2010 Tunnel Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-1402 Redway Feed Garden & Pet Supply 290 Briceland Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-2765 Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606 Hydro King 105 Hartnell Ave., Suite C and D, Redding, CA 96002 888-822-8941 Orsa Organix 111 Willow St., Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269 _________________________

DNA Hydroponics Inc 19345 North Indian Canyon Dr., North Palm Springs, Suite 2-F CA 92258 760-671-5872 _________________________

Green Bros Hydroponics 14072 Osborne St., Panorama City, CA 91402 818-891-0200 _________________________ Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099 New Leaf Hydro 34150 123rd St., Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226 Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO 365 Hydroponics 2062 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 626-345-9015 Garden All Year Inc. 3850 Ramada Dr.,Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Supersonic Hydroponic & Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Dr., Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Foothills Hydrogarden 3133 Penryn Rd., Penryn, CA 95663 916-270-2413 _________________________

Funny Farms Hydroponics 963 Transport Way, #12 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-775-3111 _________________________ House of Hydro 224 Weller St., #B, Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-4769 Wyatt Supply 1016 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-3747 Deep Roots Hydroponics 830 Perry Lane Petaluma CA 94954-5320 707-776-2800 JNJ Hydroponics 4774 Phelan Rd. Suite 2 Phelan, CA 92371 760-868-0002 Turbo Grow 1889 San Pablo Ave., Pinole, CA 94564 510-724-1291

Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply 960 East School Way, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668 _________________________ EZ Green Hydroponics 7017 Reseda Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335 818-776-9076 Hydro Hills Hydroponics 19320 Vanowen St., Reseda, CA 91335 Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi St., #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710 The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin St., Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

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Discount Hydroponics 4745 Hiers Ave., Riverside, CA 92505 877-476-9487 _________________________

Xtreme Gardening 1341 Dayton St. Annex B Salinas CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier St., San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657 _________________________ Direct Hydroponics Wholesale 1034 W. Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Liquid Gardens 1034 West Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Hydro Depot 2090 Cesar Chavez Street San Francisco, CA 94124 415-282-5200 Plant It Earth 661 Divisadero San Francisco, CA 94117 415-626-5082 Plant It Earth Warehouse 1 Dorman Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-970-2465 _________________________

All Ways Hydro 2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507.

888-HYDRO98 _________________________

Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Ave., Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 _________________________ Hydro Depot 5665 Redwood Dr., #B, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-584-2384 Murphy's Hydropincs & Organics

799 w. Stocktan St, Sanora, CA 95370 209-532-2022 Constantly Growing 1918 16th Street Sacramento CA USA 95811 916-448-1882 Green Acres Hydroponics 1215 Striker Ave., Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834 916-419-4394 Greenfire Sacramento 3230 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 916-485-8023 Green Thumb Hydroponics 1537 Fulton Ave. Sacramento CA 95825 916-934-2476 Green Thumb Hydroponics 35 Quinta Court, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95823 916-689-6464 _________________________

KY Wholesale 8671 Elder Creek Rd. #600 Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366 _________________________ Mystic Gardens 8484 Florin Rd., #110, Sacramento, CA 95828 916-381-2464 Sac Hydroponics 9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95827 916-369-7968 Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369 Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies 1235 Striker Ave. #180, Sacramento, CA 95834 888-557-8896 Green Joint Ventures 61 Tarp Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 831-998-8628 _________________________

Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton St., Unit G Salinas, CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

174

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 1900 Bendixsen St. , Bldg. 1, Samoa, CA 95564 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) _________________________ Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply 1480 South E. Street, Suite D, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-885-5919 Pure Food Gardening/ Microclone 830 H Bransten Rd. San Carlos,CA 94070-3338 Green Gopher Garden Supply 679 Redwood Ave., Suite A, Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-0203 Modern Gardens 26620 Valley Center Dr Unit #104 Santa Clarita CA 91351 661 513 4733 Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Ave. Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876 City Farmer’s Nursery 4832 Home Ave., San Diego, CA 92105 619-284-6358 Home Brews & Gardens 3176 Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92104 619-630-2739 Indoor Garden Depot 1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113 619-255-3552 Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS) 5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.D San Diego, CA 92109 858-578-4477 _________________________

Mighty Garden Supply 4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1, San Diego, CA 92120 619-287-3238 _________________________ Miramar Hydroponics & Organics

8952 Empire St., San Diego CA 92126 858-549-8649 _________________________

Oracle Garden Supply 5755 Oberlin Dr., Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

Grow Your Own 3401 Traval St., San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 _________________________ Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The 1995 Evans Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376 The Hydroponic Connection San Francisco 1549 Custer Ave. San Francisco CA 94124 415-864-9376 Nor Cal Hydroponics 4837 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262 Plant It Earth 2279 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94114 415-626-5082 _________________________ UrbanGardens advanced hydroponics and gardening

704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Urban Gardens Unlimited 704 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769 _________________________ San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth St., San Francisco, CA 94103 The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente St., San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204 US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd., San Gabriel, CA 91776 626 285-5009 Inland Empire Hydrogarden 1301-C South State St., San Jancinto, CA 92853 Hahn’s Lighting 260 E. VA Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95112 408-295-1755 Rasa Hydroponics

5725 Winfield Blvd. Suite 8 San Jose, CA 95123 408-227-7272

Plant Life

32 Race St., San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191 Hydrofarm, Inc. 2249 South McDowell Extension Petaluma, CA 94954 800-634-9990 Hydrofarm Southwest 12991 Leffingwell Road Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 800-634-9990 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040 D&S Garden Supplies 17-130 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-430-8589 Hydrogarden Delight 13762 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-903-1808 Central Coast Hydrogarden

1951 Santa Barbara St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-GROW Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics 2958 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-596-0430 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North County Inland 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444 _________________________ Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael, CA 94901 415-482-8802 San Rafael Hydroponics 1417 Fourth St. San Rafael, CA 94901 415-455-9655 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 135 Nogal Drive.

Santa Barbara, CA 93110 805-898-9922 _________________________ Nutes Int’l 204 N Quarantina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699 Planet Earth Hydroponics 102 East Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-899-0033 _________________________

Urban Grow Systems 204 N Quarantine St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-637-6699 _________________________

Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics 25835 Railroad Ave. #26 Santa Clarita CA 91350 661 255 3700 661 255 3701 _________________________

California Hydroponics 310 Coral St., Suite C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4769 Hydro-Logic Purification Systems 370 Encinal St., Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 888-H2O-LOGIC Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Ave., Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000 _________________________

Glow Hydroponics

124-H Blossom Hill Rd San Jose, CA 95123 408-455-7720 _________________________ Gottagrow Garden Supply 769 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-544-7782 _________________________

Green Logic Garden Supply 860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-843-3156 _________________________ Hydro Depot 13 West 3rd Street Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-542-3866 Organic Bountea 1919 Dennis Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 800-798-0765 Wyatt Supply 747 Yolanda Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-578-3747 Deep Roots Hydroponics 3715 Santa Rosa Ave. Suite A2 Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-540-0773 Next Generation Hydroponics 10658 Prospect Ave., Ste.A Santee, CA 92071 619-438 2415 _________________________

Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4880 Sonoma Hwy Santa Rosa, CA 707-595-1340 Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4130 S Moorland Ave Santa Rosa, CA 707-584-9370 _________________________ Santee Hydroponics 7949 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649 Gardening Unlimited 60 Old El Pueblo Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-457-1236 Deep Roots Hydroponics 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S #E Sebastopol CA 95472-8200 707-829-7668 Hydro Depot 6731 Sebastopol Ave. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-1510

Bloom Brothers Garden Supply, Inc.

3293 Industry Dr. Signal Hill, CA 90755 562-494-0060 ________________________

We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566 ________________________

Advanced Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-4769 ________________________ Farm Hydroponics, The 1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-3276 Valley Hydro and Organics 19230 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, CA 95476 707-396-8734 Motherlode Hydroponics and Organics 799 W Stockton St. Sonora, CA 95370 209-532-2022 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900 ________________________

Orange County Hydroponics 12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493 ________________________

HomeGrown Indoor Garden Supply

681 A Grider Way, Stockton, CA 95210 209-477-4447 ________________________

Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply 8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48, Stockton, CA 95210 209-951-3550 M&M Garden Supply 2509 West Lane, Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0664 Pacific Ave Indoor Garden Supply 4633 pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209-955-0945 Hydroponics Depot 8712 Sunland Blvd Sun Valley, CA 91352 818-771-0600

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Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300 ________________________ Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200 The Otherside Hydroponics 19425 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356 818-881-HYDRO (4937) ________________________

Grass Roots Hydroponics 27250 Madison Ave. Suite C Temecula, CA 92590 951-296-1090 ________________________ Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO Inland Empire Hydrogarden 28822 Old Town Front St. #206 Temecula, CA 92590 886-74-HYDRO ________________________

805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785 ________________________

Art of Hydro 2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-230-2227 ________________________ Green Thumb Lighting & Garden 1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5, Torrance, CA 90501 888-326-GROW Los Angeles Hydroponics & Organics 3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90504 310-323-4937 Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479 Garden Depot Hydroponics 1460 Freitas Park Turlock, CA 95380 209-250-0101 Hooked Up Hydroponics 339 S. Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380 209-668-1300 Emerald Garden 307 East Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-2510 ________________________

HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400 ________________________

Northcoast Hydrogardens 3450 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7214 Wyatt Supply 2200 N. State St. Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7473 TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 ________________________

Flower Hut Nursery 603 4th Street Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526 ________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201 ________________________ GreenWay Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90601

North Bay Hydroponics 1650 Lewis Brown Dr. Vallejo, CA 94589 707-647-0774 ________________________ Hydroponics Market 15816 Arminta St Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-305-6261 886-72-HYDRO ________________________

Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More 14626 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90605 562-945-0909 Garden Spout, The 260 Margie Dr Willits, CA 95490 707-456-0196 Jolly Rancher 399 Business Park Ctr. Suite 205 Windsor CA 95492 707-838-0842 Green Acres 20946 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA91367

Stop N Grow 4160 Market Street, Unit 11 Ventura, CA 93003 805-639-9489 ________________________

BWGS-CA 7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 888-316-1306 ________________________ The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200 Kaweah Grower Supply 1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93293 559-625-4937 Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit D Vista, CA 92081 760-598-7551 Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150 Specialty Garden Supply 7 Hangar Way Ste B Watsonville Ca 95075 831-768-0420 Evergreen Farm Feed and Garden 1131 Main Street Weaverville, CA 96093 530-623-2884 California Hydro Garden 1043 S. Glendora Avenue, Suite A West Covina, CA 91790 626-813-0868 No Stress Hydroponics 7543 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046 323-845-9874 Hydronation 2491 Boatman Drive, Suite B West Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-4444

Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Avenue, Willits, CA 95490-4006 Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222 ________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________ Garden Highway Garden Supply 598 Garden Highway #22 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-755-2877 Golden Valley Hydroponics 870 W. Onsott Rd. Ste F Yuba City, CA 95993 530-763-2151 Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies

31653 Outer Highway 10 Yacaipa, CA 92373 909-794-6888

Yucca Valley Hydroponics 56825 Twentynine Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley, CA 92284 760-369-0300 COLORADO South Park Hydroponics 42 E Buckskin Rd. Alma CO 80420 719-836-1533 Green Spot Garden Center & Antiques

711 State Avenue Alamosa CO 81101 719-589-6362 ________________________

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Nick’s Garden Center 2001 S. Chambers, Aurora, CO 80014 303-696-6657 ________________________

The Big Tomato Indoor Garden Supply 14440 E. 6th Ave. Aurora, CO 80011 303-364-4769 ________________________ Aurora Hydroponic LLC 4250 S Chambers Rd. Aurora CO 80014 303-400-6941 Boulder Hydroponics 1630 N 63rd St. Unit #5 Boulder CO 80301 313-415-0045 Candy Shop Hydroponics LLC 2740 Canyon Blvd Boulder, CO 80302 303-444-3355 One Love Garden Supply 3620 Walnut street Boulder, CO 80301 303-586-1715 Polar Ray 5171 Eldorado Springs Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 303-494-5773 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 2125 32 Street Boulder, CO 80301 303-996-6100 Way To Grow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769 Deep Roots Garden Supply 1790 Airport Road, Unit 1 Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-1440 Mile High Hydroponics 37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-637-0069 ________________________

ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720-524-7306 ________________________ Hydrofarm Mountain 400 Burbank St Broomfield, CO 80020 800-634-9990 J&D Organic Growing Solutions 217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723 970-310-5408 CT. Home Grown

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011 866-877-4188 (Northeast) _________________________

45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury CT 06331 BIG BloomZ 1011 Caprice Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-688-0599

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

175

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors ________________________

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Gardener

Indoor

The

Indoor Gardener. The 3225 I-70 Business Loop Unit A10 Clifton, Colorado 81520 970-434-9999 ________________________

Indoor Garden Warehouse 8100 S Akron St., Suite 322, Centennial, CO 80112 720-496-2110 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777 Grotools

2408 East Platte Ave. Colorado Springs CO 80909 719-475-7699 Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600 Purple Mountain Hydroponics LLC 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859 Room To Grow LLC 422 South 8th Street Colorado Springs CO 80905 719-633-8682 Roots and Rocks Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 1014 S. 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-634-1024 ________________________

TS

C

N-BR Y-

EN

ROC K

High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St. Commerce City, CO 80022 720-222-0772 _________________________

ON

I F E R, C

O

Grofax 25797 Conifer Rd #a-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520 ____________________________ Grow Your Own

27051 Barkley Road Conifer, CO 80433 303-816-GROW (4769) Happy Grow Lucky

11873 Springs Rd. Conifer, CO 80433 1-303-838-8700 _________________________

Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply 25797 Conifer Rd #A-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520 _________________________ Whetstone Garden Supply

300 Belleview Ave. Crested Butte CO 81224 970-349-9666

176

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Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Global Organics & Hydroponics 11 N Broadway Cortez CO 81321 970-564-8100 _________________________ Joy of Growing 1410 Valley View Dr. Delta CO 81416 970-874-2550 _________________________

BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 970-385-4769 _________________________ Blue Sky Hydroponics 1301 Florida Road Unit C Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 DHL Garden Supply 178 Bodo Dr.Unit B Durango, Co 81303 970-247-1090 _________________________

The Grow Store South 5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37, Englewood, CO 80110 303-738-0202 _________________________

Chlorophyll 3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 _________________________ Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 666 S. Buchtel Blvd Denver, CO 80210 303-954-9919 Greenlight Garden Supply 7741 E Colfax Ave Denver CO 80220 720-389-8320 _________________________

Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 439 Edwards Access Rd Unit B101 Edwards, CO 81632 970-926-2100 Bath Nursery & Garden Center 2000 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-484-5022 Gold Coast Hydroponics West 8101 S.W. Frontage Road Suite 300 Fort Collins, Colorado 80528 970-232-3220

Grow Your Own

1711 S. College Avenue Fort Collins CO 80525 970-484-1042 Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751 Way To Grow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769 _________________________

2118 S Bellaire St. Denver CO 80222 303-990-1929 _________________________ HyGrow Indoor Gardening Supplies

6271 Beach Street, Unit F Denver, CO 80221 303-396-1420 Indoor Paradise Denver 7100 N Broadway, Ste. 3D, E Denver, CO 80221 303-428-5020 NoDo Urban Garden Supply 1330 27th Street Denver, CO 80205 303-296-3424 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 1717 39th Ave Denver, CO 80205 800-58-HYDRO The Grofax 7540 East Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80220 720-328-2127 The Grofax 755 South Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219 720-328-5164 The Grow Outlet 4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Ultimate Hydroponics & Organics 2380 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210 303-282-0034 Way To Grow 301 East 57th Ave. Denver, CO 80216 303-296-7900

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

The Grow Shop LLC

Hydro Shack, The 753 10 Mile Drive Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359 _________________________ Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 7800 Colorado 82 #203 Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 970-947-9551 _________________________

Desert Bloom Hydroponics 445 Pitkin Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-6427 _________________________ Green Head Hydroponics

809 E. Jasper Court Granby, CO 80446 970-557-3031 Greeley Nutrients 700 11th Street Unit 101 Greeley CO 80631 970-673-8302

The Grow Shop LLC

1701 Greeley Mall Rd. Greeley CO 80631 970-352-5447 Green Thumb Garden Supply Co. 2830 W 27th St Greeley CO 80634 970-506-1711 Your Grow Bud 6801 South Emporia St. Suite 106 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 303-790-2211 Green Gardens

133 E. Tomichi Ave. Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-1161 Grow in Peace

1241 Mine Road Idaho Springs CO 80452 303-567-GROW GroWize 3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227 303-986-2706 Way to Grow 11989 West Colfax Ave Lakewood CO 80215 303-546-3600 _________________________

MileHydro 355 S. Harlan St. Lakewood CO 80226 303-935-4769 _________________________

The Grow Store 8644 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 888-510-0350 _________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

Victory Hydro Gardening 1387 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville, CO, 80027 303-664-9376 _________________________ WarHammer Supply 1112 Munroe Ave. Loveland CO 80537 970-635-2602 Colorado Hydroponics & Organics 2740 Commercial Way Unit 1 Montrose CO, 81401 970-252-7450 Greener Mountain Indoor Gardening 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 210 Nederland CO 80466 303-258-7573 Grow in Peace 176 Hwy. 119 South Nederland CO 80466 303-258-3520 Grow Depot 1434 W. 104th Ave. Northglenn, CO 80234 303-459-7878 Four Corners Organics & Hydroponics LLC 68 Bastille Unit #3 PO Box 627 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 970-731-1685 Pueblo Hydroponicss and Organics - Downtown 113 W 4th St, Pueblo CO 81003 719-542-6798

Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics- South 2704 S Prarie Ave Suite C Pueblo CO 81005 719-564-2660 Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics 609 E Enterprise Dr Pueblo West CO 81007 709-647-0907 Salida Hydroponic Supply 1242 C Street Salida, CO 81201 719-539-4000 Little Shop of Growers 2560 Copper Ridge Drive Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 970-879-8577 Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7615 W.38th Ave. Suite B111 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897 Hydro Planet 5022 Kippling St. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 303-279-6090 CONNECTICUT _________________________

CT Home Grown 45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury, CT 06331 860-546-6161 _________________________ Grow Crazy 11 Berlin Rd. Unit 2 Cromwell CT 06416 203-660-8486 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 775 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118 860-568-4067 LiquidSun® CT 10C South Main Street, East Windsor, CT 06088 860-254-5757 _________________________

Rogue Hydroponics 160 Broadway Hamden, CT 06518 866-277-4432 _________________________ Organix Hydroponics 749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza) Middletown, CT 06457 860-343-1923 _________________________

Good To Grow 335 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203-956-5600 www.goodtogrowct.com _________________________ Delaware Sunny Day Organics 1867 Coastal Hwy. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware MD 19917 302-703-2538 FLORIDA _________________________

Urban Sunshine 1420 E. Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 407-830-4769 _________________________

Full Bloom Hydroponics 1489 W. Palmetto Boca Raton FL 33486 888-725-4769 Best Hydro 4920 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211 941-756-1928 Palm Coast Hydroponics 4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108 Bunnell FL 32110 386-246-4119 _________________________

East Coast Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105 Coca, FL 32922 321-243-6800 _________________________ GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815

Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc 336 North Boundary Ave. Deland, FL 32720 386-734-0696 Organic Grow Hut 2 780 Deltona Blvd. #107 Deltona, Florida 32725 1-888-574-GROW; 386-259-5777 Gold Coast Hydroponics 1539 SW 21st Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 1-800-780-7371 _________________________

Biofloral 6250 NW 27th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877-735-6725 _________________________ Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769 Gator Hydroponics 4460 SW 35th Terrace Suite 310 Gainesville, FL 32608 352-301-5383 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215 _________________________ Hydro Terra Corp.

924 North Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020 954-920-0889 Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North) 3642 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa, FL 34448 352-628-2655 Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554 _________________________

Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics 11855 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-683-4517 _________________________ Urban Organics & Hydroponics 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012

Simply Hydroponics & Organics 7949 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33773 727-531-5355 GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers 14587 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-429-3527 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West 14703 Southern Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-296-8555 Atlantic Hydroponics 430 Count Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-1535 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2975 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-0853 ________________________ Advanced Hydro Gardens 4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4, Miami, FL 33014 305-474-4376 All Star Hydroponics Inc 8901 SW 129th Street Miami FL 33176 800-842-8582 Blossoms Experience, The 7207 NW 54th Street, Miami, FL 33166 866-452-4769 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215 _________________________ Future Farms Inc., The 14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33186 305-382-2757 Gold Coast Hydroponics 4241 SW 71st Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 1-800-780-6805 Growing Garden Inc., The 12811 SW 42nd Street, Miami, FL 33175 305-559-0309 VitaOrganix 7921 NW 67th St Miami, FL 33166 786-845-8633 3D Hydroponics and Organics 7139 US Highway #19, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-847-3491 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 _________________________

Green Winters Inc. 147 Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-235-8730; 800-931-5215 The Healthy Harvest Ste. 126 21113 Johnson St. Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029 954-538-1511 Eden Garden Supply 5044 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 850-439-1299 Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc. 196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F, Pensacola, FL 32534 850-912-4545 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 877-649-3567 (Southeast) _________________________ Hydroponic Depot II 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 Port Charlotte FL 33952 941-255-3999 EZ Grow Green 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983 772-807-7755 Urban Sunshine Organic & Hydroponic Gardening 2841 South Nove Rd., Ste. 5 South Daytona, FL 32119 386-236-9989; 386-492-6978 Mr. Nice Guy Hydroponics 1800 NW. Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994 772-934-6785 Esposito Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-386-2114 Evershine Hydroponics

1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35 Tallahassee FL 32308 850-765-0040 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376 Grace's Hydro-Organic Garden Center

8707 Temple Terrace Highway Tampa FL 33637 813-514-9376 Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828 Schiro's Barn-N-Garden Supplies Inc. 7812 Causeway Blvd Tampa FL 33619 813-626-0902 Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s Barn n Garden Supplies 7812 Causeway Blvd Tampa, FL 33619 813-626-0902 _________________________

Urban Sunshine 6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 50 Orlando, FL 32807 407-647-4769 ________________________

Urban Sunshine 6142 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728

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Happy Planet Hydroponics 1179 E. Alfred St., Tavares FL 32778 352-253-1001 _________________________ 365 Hydroponics 13054 W Colonial Drive Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-GROW(4769) Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies 946 18th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-564-8880 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road,Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411 800-931-5215 _________________________ Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East 968 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561-296-6161 GEORGIA _________________________

Atlantis Hydroponics 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-367-0052 _________________________ Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 1239 Fowler St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318 Flora Hydroponics Inc. 2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600 Athens, GA 30607 866-404-0551 Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 195 Paradise Blvd.

Athens, GA 30607 _________________________

Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337 678-510-0032 _________________________ Alpha Hydroponics and Garden Supply Inc. 3904 N Druid Hills Rd. Suite 247 Decatur GA 30033 404-590-4769 _________________________

Worm’s Way Florida 4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 800-283-9676; 813-621-1792 _________________________ Monkey Hydroponics

940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 407-574-8495

Savannah Hydroponics & Organics 4107 Eighth Street, Suite C Garden City, GA 31408 912-349-4030 _________________________ Atlantis Hydroponics 5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, GA 30071 770-558-1346

HAWAII Eco-Island Supply 810 Haiku Road, #394 Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9171 Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics 4224 Wailae, Suite 1A, Honolulu, HI 96816 808-735-8665 Green Hands of Aloha 1713 Mary Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 808-847-4263 Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 300 Hukilike Street, #2M, Kahalui, HI 96732 808-871-6393 Aiyah’s Garden 4558 Kukui Street.

Kapa’a, HI. 96746 Aiyah’s Garden 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2 Lihue, HI. 96766 808-245-2627 Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 15-2754 Old Government Road, Pahoa, HI 96778 808-965-9955 IDAHO Boise Hydroponics 614 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706 208-344-3053 Four Seasons Garden Supply 6218 W Overland Rd Boise ID 83709 208-377-3030 Greenthumb Greenhouses 5895 Ensign Avenue, Boise, ID 83714 ILLINOIS Aerostar Global 824 South Kay Avenue, Addison, IL 60101 Brew and Grow 181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Let it Grow - Carbondale West Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Versaponics.COM Box 166 West Main St. Carbondale, IL62901 573-450-5401 Alternative Garden Supply 615 Industrial Drive, Unit A Cary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Brew and Grow 3625 N. Kedzi Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-7430 Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Brew and Grow- Crystal Lake 176 W. Terra Cotta Ave. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-301-4950 _________________________

Midwest Hydroganics 20647 Renwick Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403 815-838-0100 _________________________

Inc.

Goldman’s Grow Shop 910 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL 60025 847-657-7250 _________________________

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Grow Masters 4641 Old Grand Ave. Gurnee, Il. 60031 224-399-9877 Big Grow Hydroponics

9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Grow Big Hydroponics 7817 B North 2nd Street, Manchesney Park, IL 61115 815-637-4769 _________________________

Gardinside 618 S. Rt. 59 suite 104 Naperville, IL 60540 630-276-9885 _________________________ Green Fields 8137 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714 847-965-5056 _________________________

Autumn Bloom Alternative Indoor Gardening 1020 Derby Street Pekin, Illinois 61554 309-642-6943 _________________________ Grow Shop of Peoria 2621 N University Peoria, IL 61604 (309)-299-0953 GroUp Gardening 221 N. 5TH St. Pekin, IL 61554 309-349-4407 Aerogro 502 N Prospect suite 18 Bloomington, IL, 61704 Prairie House Garden Center

15151 South Harlem Avenue, Orland, IL 60462 708-687-3131 Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Brew and Grow 359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E, Roselle, IL 60172 630-894-4885 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL 60077 847-675-2722 _________________________

Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road, Springfield, IL 62704 217-341-0821 Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 2110 North Grand Ave Springfield , IL, 62702 217-341-0821 _________________________ Kentuckiana Hydroponic Garden Supply 632 Eastern Blvd, Unit B Clarksville, IN 47129 812-725-8005

178

Water Works Indoor Gardening 1900 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703 217-553-6929 INDIANA _________________________

BWGS-IN 1400 Hancel Pkwy., Mooresville, IN 46158 800-316-1306 _________________________ Sunleaves Garden Products 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 888-464-9676 _________________________

Worm’s Way Indiana 7850 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-598-8158 _________________________

Worm’s Way Mail Order 7850 North State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47404 800-274-9676 _________________________ Kentuckiana Hydroponic Garden Supply

632 Eastern BLVD, Unit B

Clarksville, IN 47129 812-725-8005

Frogs Lilly Pad, The 706 Citation Road, Carmel, IN 46032 317-846-4610 Hops & Harvest

4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-918-3035 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1336 East Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 317-780-8020 Magic Bulb Garden Center 6229 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-202-2852 _________________________

Maximum Grow Gardening 6117 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-359-GROW (4769) _________________________ Next Generation Gardening & Hydroponics 6805 Madison Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-786-0066 Five Point Gardens 56555 Oak Road, South Bend, IN 46619 574-287-9232 KANSAS Kan-Grow Hydro Farm LLC 5555 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217 316-214-3022

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

KENTUCKY Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 _________________________

Worm’s Way Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088 _________________________ Grow Shop, The of Lexington 2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40509 859-268-0779 Louisville Hydroponics 3471 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40215 502-366-4000 New Earth Garden Center 9810 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299 800-462-5953 The Wine-N-Vine Inc. 1524 East McGalliard RD. Muncie IN. 47303 765-282-3300 Bluegrass Organic Grow Shop 125 Quinn Dr., Nicholasville, KY 40356 859-887-0677 LOUISIANA Laughing Buddha Nursery 4516 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70006 504-887-4336 Urban Organics 285 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117 504-352-4709 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics 201 Angus Drive, Yungsville, LA 70592 337-303-6146 MAINE The Urban Garden Center 600 Wilson St. Brewer, ME 04412 207-989-2020 LiquidSun of Maine 51West Gray Rd. Gray, ME 04039 207-657-8033 Natures Palate Indoor Garden Store

1321 Mercer Rd ( rte2) Mercer, ME 04957 877-587-4150; 207-587-4150 Newfield Farms

122 Water Street Newfield, ME 04095 207-956-3334 _________________________

Evergreen Garden Center 301 Forest Ave Portland, ME 04101 207-761-2800 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply Maine178 Rand Rd. Portland, ME 04102 Phone: 207-899-4387 _________________________ The Urban Garden Center 659 Warren Ave Portland, ME 04103 1-207-347-2350

Here We Grow 30 Parsons St. Presque Isle, ME 04769 207-SOY-BEAN (769-2326) Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 New England Horticulture Supply 125 John Roberts Road Suite 1 South Portland, ME 04106 207-899-0510

Urban Garden Center 235 Lewiston Road, Topsham, ME 04086 207-373-0990 Greenlife Garden Supply 611 US Rt. 1 York, ME 03909 207-363-0844 MARYLAND East Coast Organics 2800 Sisson Street, Baltimore, MD 21211 Healthy Gardens and Supply 5001-F Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 443-708-5144 Eco Greenworks 7814 Parston Dr. Forestville, MD 20747 301-278-7541 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723 301-490-9236 Meadowview Feed & Garden Center

1202 Meadowview Road, Pasadena, MD 21122 443-817-0018 Purple Mountain Organics 100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 877-538-9901 _________________________

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INDOOR GARDEN CENTER

Rootdown Hydroponics Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford MA 01255 781-874-1693 _________________________ Green Path Garden Supply 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-4181 LiquidSun® RI 1179 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, MA 02861 401-722-2724 _________________________

Evergreen Garden Center 216 Newbury St. Peabody MA 01960 _________________________ Hydroponics N More Garden Center

331 Centre Ave., Rockland, MA 02370 781-421-3356 Mass Hydro

679 Washington St. S.Attlevoro MA 02703 508-761-4937 _________________________

Tru Bloomz Hydroponics

1201 Fall River Ave. Seekonk, MA 02771 508-336-4443 _________________________ Montgomery Hydroponics 8950 Brookville Rd. Silver Springs, MD 20910 301-588-1935 _________________________ MASSACHUSETTS Grow it Green 122 Pulaski Boulevard Bellingham MA 02019 508-883-GROW Greenlife Garden Supply 481 Boston Road, Unit 4, Billerica, MA 01821 978-262-9966 Mass Hydro

1753 Main St. Brockton MA 02301 GYOstuff – Grow Your Own 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-945-1654

High Tech Garden Supply 560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9) Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-4477 _________________________

New England Hydroponics 15 D College Hwy. (Rt. 10), Southampton, MA 01073 888-529-9025 _________________________

Mass Hydro

390 Rhode Island Ave. Fall River MA 02721 704-GO-HYDRO Harvest Moon Hydroponics 29 Washington Street, Route 1 Foxboro, MA 02035 800-660-6977 Here We Grow 123 Russell St. (Rt. 9) Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-FARM (3276) LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875

Worm’s Way Massachusetts 121 Worc-Providence Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590 800-284-9676 _________________________ MICHIGAN Get Growing Urban Garden Centre 142 S. Main St Adrian MI 49221 U Can Grow Hydro 2247 W. Liberty Ann Arbor MI 4810 734-369-3387

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Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 313-383-1766 _________________________ Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies 270 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-913-2750 Grow Show, The 4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 734-677-0009; 734-677-0509 HotHydro® 5245 Jackson Road, Suite F Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-5040; 877-893-0716 BIG Green Tomato

1775 E. Columbia Ave Battle Creek MI 49014 269 282 1593 Homelight Gardens 3471 S. Huron Road, Bay City, MI 48706 989-922-0088 J&L Growco

206 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-1528 Hydro Vision 11820 Belleville Belleville, MI 48111 734-325-6210 Growers Outlet 7720 Clyde Park SW Byron Center, MI 49513 616-878-4444 A Plus Hydroponics of Michigan LLC

9750 Cherry Valley Ave SE Caledonia MI 49316 616-891-0706 Greenway Gardens 916 W 13th St Cadillac, Mi,49601 231-775-7075 ________________________

Cultivation Station 3 Inc. 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI 48051 586-949-7453

_________________________ The Great Lakes Hydroponics Co.

5998 US.31 South Charlevoix MI 49720 231-237-9153 HydroMaster 36345 Groesbeck Hwy Clinton Twp, MI 48035 586-792-0277 H2O Grow Supply

3364 Arent Ct Coloma, MI 49038 269-468-3890 Van Hydro 7480 N State, Davison, MI 48423 810-653-8267 _________________________

The Grow Station 5670 Telegraph Rd. Dearborn, MI 48127 313-406-5147; 800-797-4769 (GROW) __________________________

Hydro Giant 14455 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI _________________________

________________________

Cultivation Station – Eastern Market, The 2518 Market Street, Detroit, MI 48207 313-394-0441 _________________________

Hydro Giant 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI (8Mile & Lahser) 313-387-7700; 313-216-8888 _________________________ Hydro Heaven 73647 W 8th Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235 313-861-0333; 877-823-2076 _________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

Urban Gardening Center, The 2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216 313-898-0200 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663 _________________________

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________________________

Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900

HGR Garden Supply 15231 N. Holly Rd. Holly MI 48442 248-369-8333 ________________________

NEW 2nd LOCATION!

4640 West River Dr Comstock Park, Mi. 49321 _________________________

Home Grown Hydroponix 5333 Plainfield Suite C, Grand Rapids MI 49525, 616-361-2924 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 1614 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 866-791-1664 _________________________ Grand Rapids Hydroponics Inc. 524 Leonard St., Grand Rapids MI 49504

Hydroharrys- HP 24047 Dequindre Road Hazel Park, MI 48030 248-541-0099 _________________________ Garden Doctor

Hydro Vision 495 Fenway Dr. Fenton, MI 810-714-1719

3255 Highland Rd. Highland MI 48357 248-714-6558 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423 616-298-7395 _________________________

OÊFÊÊÊGÊAÊRÊDÊEÊNÊÊÊCÊIÊTÊY

The Grow Shop of Garden City 28505 Ford Road Garden City, MI 48135 734-956-5400 _________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989-731-8800 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 2731 East Grand River Howell, MI 48843 517-376-6843 _________________________

Garden Doctor

2974 28th St. SW Grandville MI 49418 616 530 2500 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 604 N. Beacon Blvd Grand Haven MI 49423 616-847-1277 It is Green Ville Gardens 11500 Morgan Mills Road NE Green Ville, MI 48838 616-745-0500 _________________________

2974 28th St. SW Grandville MI 49418 616-530-2500 Absolute Wholesale Garden Supply

Flower Factory, The 2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356 248-714-9292 _________________________ Hydro Grow Room 15201 N. Holly Road, Unit B Holly, MI 48442 248-369-8333 Hydro Grow Room 15201 N Holly Rd Unit B Holly MI, 48430 248-369-8333 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 1220 Phoenix Rd. South Haven MI 49090 269-637-5941

Superior Growers Supply Inc. 3928 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-327-1900 _________________________ Hills Hydro 700 Main St. Ste III Lapeer, MI 48446 810-245-8687 _________________________

_________________________

Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843 517-552-4965 _________________________

616-454-2500

Sunnyside Hydroponics 24930 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpoint, MI 48021 586-777-2528

Granny Green Thumbs 103 W. Grand River Flowerville MI 48836 517-223-1302 _________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 705 S., Loxley Houghton Lake, MI 48629 989-422-2800

_________________________

Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC. 2555 N. State(M-66) Rd. Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 1745 West Main St. Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-978-8697 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 4646 W. Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-567-3333 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply 292200 Seven Mile West Livonia, MI 48152 248-473-0450 _________________________ Northern Lights Hydroponic & Garden Supply 29090 Campbell rd.

Madison Heights, MI 48071 248-439-6269.

BIg Creek Hydroponics 555 Old Little Lake Road, Marquette, MI 49855 906-249-5297 Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford, MA 02155 781-874-1693 Stealth Hydro 14630 King Dr. Milan, MI 48160 734-961-4333 Big Blue Hydroponics 590 Ottawa St. Muskegon, MI 49441 231-571-9400 Growing Consultant Hydroponics & Things 2260 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-5600 Green Lantern H2O 1383 E. Laketon Ave Muskegon, Mi 49442 231-722-0420 Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-775-3700 _________________________

Kalamazoo Indoor Garden 450 W. Maple, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-2550 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2815 East Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 517-580-0555 _________________________ Hills Hydro 1290 S. Lapeer Rd., Lake Onion, MI 48360 248-693-5747 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 5425 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-323-ROOT _________________________

Third Coast Horticulture Supply 2357 Holton Rd. Suite B Muskegon, MI 49445 231-288-1762 _________________________

Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics Co. 214 North 2nd Street Niles, MI 49120 (269) 683-1877 www.FNGhydro.com _________________________

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 611 Main st.

Norway, Michigan 49870 (906)563-1518 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors _________________________

_________________________ ________________________

HGR Garden Supply 200 E. Main St, Owosso MI 48867 989-472-4999 _________________________ Owlyn Solutions for Growers 2398 Jolly Rd. Ste 300 Okemos MI 48864 517 203 5070

Hydro Giant 19363 Eureka Rd, Southgate, MI 734-281-8888 _______________________

Hydro Grow Source

10609 East Lovejoy Perry MI 48872 517 376 8583 Super Grow 288 W. MONTCALM PONTIAC, MI 48342 248-24SUPER (78737) Green Earth Hydroponics 8127 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002 269-342-4190 _________________________

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 23529 Little Mack Avenue, St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 7889 Telegraph Road.

Taylor, MI 48180 313-908-7554 _________________________

Hydroponics Highway Inc. 2708 14th Ave. Port Huron MI, 48060 810-982-4769 _________________________ Ultra Green Hydroponics 9300 Telegraph Rd. Redford MI 48239 313-534-9377 Hydro Vision 66783 Gratiot Ave. Richmond, MI 48062 586-430-1956 _________________________

Growers Edge 175 Marcell Dr Rockford MI 49341 _________________________ Hills Hydro 896 S. Rochester Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48307 248-650-4937 _________________________

Green Thumb Hydroponics & Organic Indoor Supply 8460 Algoma Suite G Rockford MI 49341 616-884-5500 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 28000 Groesbeck Highway Roseville, Michigan 48066 586-435-2335 _________________________ Home Grown Hydroponics 4880 Gratiot Rd., Ste # 2 Saginaw MI 48638 989-781-1930 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 5716 South Pennsylvania Avenue South Lansing, MI 48911 517-393-1600 _________________________

180

Hydro Grow, The 8210 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180 313-633-0641 Cultivation Innovations

6652 Lewis Ave. Suite 7 Temperance MI 48182 419-725-4769 Great Lakes Green Horticultural Supply 757 S. U.S. Highway 131 Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-278-130 Grow Store, The 90 N U.S. Highway 31 South , Traverse City, MI 49685-7923 231-421-5191 _________________________

Cultivation Station

1990 US-31 N. Ste. C., Traverse City, MI 49686 231 421 8118 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 720 South Garfield Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686 231-668-6913 _________________________ Wild Child 7740 M 72 East Traverse City, MI 49690 866-711-GROW Hydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183 734-301-3745 _________________________

Hydroharrys – WL 1138 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-896-0099 _________________________ Beste's Indoor/Outdoor Garden Supply 21410 Schoenherr Warren, MI 48089 586-776-1794 Hydro King Indoor Garden Supply 32000 Van Dyke Ave Warren MI 48093 586-939-0518'

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Greco's Nursery & Garden Supplies

12219 E. 11 Mile Road Warren MI 48093 586-759-1335 Indoor Garden Superstore 2570 Dixie Highway, Waterford Twp., MI 48328 248-673-2200; 877-22-HYDRO Light Green Water 3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329 248-681-0001 Bubonic Hydroponics 38540 Michigan Ave Wayne MI, 48184 734-331-2316 _________________________

Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 _________________________ B&B Hydro Supply 28974 Warren Rd Westland MI 48185 734-469-280 Ultra Green Hydroponics 8067 N. Wayne Rd. Westland MI 48185 734-425-1000 G.C. II 1006 E. Colby St. Suite A Whitehall, MI 49417 231-893-2400 _________________________

Indoor Eden 9281 East-M 36 Whitmore MI 48189 810-355-1465 _________________________ AAA Hydroponics LLC 22 50th Street Wyoming, MI 49504 616-249-8338 Urban Garden Supply 4516 Pasadena Ave. Flint, MI 48504 810-733-0420 Urban Garden Supply 3410 S. Dort Hwy Flint, MI 48507 810-875-9580 _________________________

MINNESOTA Duluth Hydroponics 26 W 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218-341-7253 The Interior Tomato, LLC 519 N. Central Ave. Duluth, MN 55087 218-260-5167 _________________________

Indoor Gardening 10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-209-1546 _________________________ Brew and Grow 8302 Highway 65 NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432 763-780-8191 Interior Gardens 115 -1620 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077 _________________________

Midwest Hydroponics 5825 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park,MN 55416 888-449-2739 _________________________ Eden Indoor Organic Gardens 831 Highway 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-EDEN (333 _________________________

Grower’s Edge 175 Marcell Drive Rockford, MI, 49341 _________________________ U-Grow 1724 North, 13th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106 314-452-6368 _________________________

Worm’s Way Missouri 1225 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132 800-285-9676 _________________________

Green Thumb Organics 249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW) _________________________ MONTANA Heightened Harvests 3103 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-494-4222 One World – Life Products 906 Broadwater Billings MT 59101 406 839 9969 Heightened Harvest

American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North, Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543Q _________________________ Still-H2O Inc. 14375 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-351-2822 Eco Garden Supply 800 Transfer Door 25 in rear St. Paul, MN 55114 651-647-1896 MISSISSIPPI _________________________

Cultivation Station – Grand Rapids, The 4907 S. Division Ave., Wyoming, MI 49548 616-855-4440 _________________________

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Sunrise Garden Center

5173 W 4th St. Hattiesburg, MS USA Tel: 601 264 9300 matthew@sunrisegc.com www.sunrisegc.com _________________________

Stealth Hydro 15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 866-998-1916 _________________________

MISSOURI Versaponics LTD 879 South Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703 573-450-5401 _________________________

The Grow Stop 7380 Highland Road Waterford, MI 48327 248-599-9231 _________________________

Heartland Hydrogardens 705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-4769 _________________________ Grow Your Own Hydroponics 3617 Saint John Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-241-2122

HYDROGARDENS

1415 S 32nd St. West Billings MT 59102 406-656-1156 Alpengrow Nursery Supplies 238 Highway 93 S., Eureka, MT 59917 406-882-4496 _________________________

Butteopia 127 Main Street, Butte, Montana 59701 1-406-782-8476 _________________________ Big Sky Garden Supply 528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465 Box of Rain INC 860 North Meridian Rd. Suite B #19&20 Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-RAIN (7246) Cornucopia Grow Your Own 127 Stoner Creek Road Lakeside, MT 59922 406-709-1076 Dr. Green Thumbs 1106 West Park, Livingston, MO 59047 406-222-7440 Bizzy Beez LLP 5875 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9937 NEBRASKA Bodhi Organic Garden Supply 1438 S1 St. Ste 6 Lincoln, NE 68502 402-438-6785 Patio-Ponics 3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-466-9218

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Advanced Hydro-Ponics 10711 Mockingbird Drive, Omaha, NE 68127 (108th and L-Q) 402-991-6630 _________________________ ________________________

Paradigm Gardens 8949 J Street, Suite 5, Omaha, NE 68127 402-339-4949 _________________________ NEVADA Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769 Lorraine Indoor Gardens 290 Spear Court, Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-7757 Hydro Store, The 1014 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014 702-434-7365 AAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter 2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21, Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-450-4769 Advanced Gardens Hydroponics 7850 Dean Martin Dr. Suite 506 Las Vegas,NV 89139 702-247-4769 All American Hydroponics 2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120 702-894-9888 Best Hydroponic Supply 6818 W Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-750-9300 Grow Hydro Gardens 5870 s Decatur Suite 11 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-997-7053; Toll Free 866-568-4769 Hydro Store, The 7145 W. Ann Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130 702-434-9376 Nevada Hydroponics 4700 B Maryland, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-798-2852 Anything Grows 190 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 775-828-1460 Everything Green Hydroponics Box 34869 Reno, Nevada 89533 The Hydro Store 121 Woodland Ave #160

Reno NV 89523 775-787-2760

NEW HAMPSHIRE Greenlife Garden Supply 885 Second Street Manchester, NH 03102 603-782-8259 The Beez Kneez Garden Supply 180 Emerald St., Keene, NH 03431 603-903-1488 _________________________

Hydro101 545 Hooksett Rd. #24 Manchester, NH 03104 603-782-8894 _________________________

Natural Roots Hydroponics 24 Crown St. Nashua NH 03060 603-204-5528 Four Seasons Horticulture Supply 2076 White Mountain Hwy. North Conway, NH 03860 603-733-5444

New Mexico Hydroponics

NEW JERSEY Garden State Hydroponics 511 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 888-300-8711 Boyer Indoor Gardening 57 Crescent Blvd.

Gloucester City, NJ 08030 856-456-5000 Bergen County Hydroponics 70 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 201-342-2001 _________________________

NEW YORK Organica: Garden Supply & Hydroponics 296 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209 518-618-7666 The Grow Room 32-32 49th Street Astoria, NY 11103 718-218-GROW (4769) Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 19 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 The Grape Vine 4020 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage,NY,11714 516-731-1100 Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 Bklyn Hydro & Garden 316 McGuiness Blvd Brooklyn NY 11222 718-383-0095 Brooklyn Farms 51 Hicks Street St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 347-725-3491 Indoor Outdoor Gardener 8223 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-836-2402 Hydroponics of Buffalo 1497 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 716-838-3545 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 340 West at 59, Central Nyack, NY 10960 California Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-9387 Upstate Hydroponics 2026 Lake Rd unit B Elmira, NY 14903 607-483-9199 _________________________

greentouch2 HYDROP ONICS

INC.

Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc. 888 Route 33, Unit 1, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-570-8829 _________________________ Garden Indoors of New Jersey 600 Meadowlands Pkwy. Suite 25 Secaucus NJ 07094 201-865-1616 East Coast Horticultural Supply 1652 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080 856-228-5290 77HYDRO 37 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 877-774-9376 Claraqua 4 Redwood Court, West Windsor, NJ 08550 NEW MEXICO _________________________

AHL Year Round Garden Supply 1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-255-3677 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 3600 Osuna Road, Suite 406 Alburquerque, NM 87109 505-508-4292 _________________________ Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW _________________________ Santa Fe Hydroponics 851 W. San Mateo Road, Suite 4 Santa Fe NM 87505 505-467-8454

923 W. Almeada Santa Fe NM 87501 505-316-5855 Taos Gardening Supply 120 Bertha Taos, NM 87571 575-758-9131

FutureGarden Inc. 59 Central Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-420-0884 _________________________ Sunflower Supplies, LLC 176-18 Central Ave Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-651-8281 East Coast Hydroponics 14649 Horace Harding Exp, Flushing, NY 11367 718-762-8880 Healthy Harvest Organics & Hydro 163 Broadway, Fort Edwart, NY 12828 518-480-4698 Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 10 Saratoga Ave S. Glen Falls, NY 12803 518-798-820 Hydroponic Shops of America 2568 Western Ave. Guilderland NY 12009 518-355-1503 Hydroponic Shops of America 720 Willow Ave. Ithaca NY 14850 607-697-0199

Greentree Garden Supply 606 Elmira Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-3666 Mike’s Nursery & Grower Supplies 199 E. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750 716-763-1612 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 217 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-3633 _________________________

The Green Box 495 9th Avenue NY NY 10018 212 967 4777 thegreenboxhydro.com _________________________ Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics 2045 Niagara Falls Blvd, Suite 13 Niagara Falls, NY 14304 888-GROWBOX Crossroads Hydroponics and Organics 181 South Plank Road (Route 52) Newburgh, NY 12550 845-561-4769 KG Garden Supply 4575 Commercial Drive New Hartford, NY 13413 877-KG-HYDRO

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Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 Green Zone Hydroponics 2928 Southwestern Blvd Orchard Park NY 14127 716-677-9663 _________________________ Harvest Moon Hydroponics 147 Fourth Street, Troy, NY 10960 Follow The Sun 1185 B Yonkers Ave Yonkers, N.Y 10704 914-237-2760 NORTH CAROLINA Advanced Hydroponic Garden 55 Shiloh Road #6 Asheville, NC 28803 1-828-277-3488 Fifth Season Gardening Company 21 B Westside Dr. Asheville NC 28806 828-225-5007 Fifth Season Gardening Company 45 Banks Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-4112 Fifth Season Gardening Company 106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510 919-932-7600 ________________________

The Grow Room 8 Bridge Street,

Nyack, NY 10960 800-449-9630 Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St. Olean NY 14760 716-373-GROW (4769) Mor Gro Hydroponics 5680 State Route 104 E Oswego , NY 13126 315-877-8725 Environmental Gardens 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310 Peekskills, NY 10566 800-254-0507; 914-736-6676 Harvest Moon Hydroponics Henrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 716-865-7353 ________________________

Hydro Garden Center 1069B Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606 1-800-277-1322 ________________________ Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing 1590 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615 866-395-9204 Hydroponic Garden Centers Inc 146 49 Horace Harding Exp Rushing NY 11367 718 762 8880 LiquidSun of New York 1702 Fiero ave Rotterdam, NY 12150 518-952-4654 Hydroponics Shops of America 2606 Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13224 315-251-2516

BWGS-NC 4045 Perimeter West Drive,Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2712 B Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 704-697-0911 ________________________ Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center 4521 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 910-423-FLOW (3569) Fifth Season Gardening Company 1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-271-3373 Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville NC 28115 704-658-9136 Fifth Season Gardening Company 5619-A Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-852-4747 New Age Gardens 2236A US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-299-9989 Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-395-1156 OHIO Akron Garden Center 434 W Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314 330-724-2700

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Summit Hydroponics 1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114 330-753-5222 _________________________

Purely Hydroponic, LLC 1507 Lear Industrial Pkwy.

Avon, OH 44011 866-787-5060 _________________________ Campbells Indoor Gardening Supplies 1721 Greenville Road Bristolville, OH 44402 330-889-0049 Magic Home Gardens 209 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-2440 ________________________

CincyPonics 3314 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 513-661-3886 ________________________

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Hydro Gardens Wholesale 1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 855-210-5599 _________________________ Carefree Garden Center 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203

Eastside Hydroponics 834 Ohio Pike #318 Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 513-528-4769 Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic 10740 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-769-0159 Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 727 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-7868 Grow Wizard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500 Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001 Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868 Magic Home Garden 4538 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 614-263-2440 Miami Valley Hydro 8220 N. Dixie Dr. Dayton OH 45414 937-280-4468 Garden Connections 3341 Centerpoint Dr. Grove City OH 43123 614-871-0707 Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center 5204 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH 44236 234-380-1287 Sweet Greens 5540 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 44131 800-421-7084

182

Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 877-893-0716 _________________________

Plant Lighting Hydroponics 2201-A Pinnacle Parkway Twinsburg, OH 44087 888-258-0670 _________________________

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B.I.G.S. 35 NW Bond Bend, OR 97701 541-385-5222 _________________________ Northern Light & Garden 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-297-7331 Westcoast Organic & Hydroponic Supply 12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit C Boring, OR 97009 503-512-7710

CropKing 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203

Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039

USA Hydrogarden 7450 Industrial Pkwy, Ste. A Lorain, Ohio 44053 440-282-4880

Dayton Hydroponics 3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449 937-859-3999

The Good Earth Organics

The Grow Shop 165 Davids St. Marion OH 43302 740-223-7467 _________________________

Gardening-Indoor 9215 Market St. Youngstown (North Lima) OH 44452 330-758-0272

Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply 93779 B Troy Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-8822

Indoor Garden Worx 304 West Monroe Street.

Zanesville, OH 43701 866-900-9679

Dumont Seed Co. 619 30th ST. N.W. Canton, ohio 44709 330-492-0204 Dayton Hydroponics 4920 Provident Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 513-942-7111

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

30088 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 541-592-4496

Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics 5490 SW Philomath Boulevard, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-738-2820 _________________________

OKLAHOMA Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800 _________________________ Top Garden Products 8600 East Avenue Suite C. Mentor, OH 44060 440-290-8773 Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234 Gardening-Indoor 5851 Youngstown-Warren Rd. Niles, OH 44446 USA 330-932-1023 Pet Finatics LLC 3150 Navarre Ave Suite A Oregon, OH 43616 Indoor Gardens 1222 Hill Road, North, Pickerington, OH 43147 614-866-6065 _________________________

Trinity Hydro Organics 465 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW _________________________ 4 Ever Green Grow Shop 5228 Detroit Rd. Sheffield, Ohio 44035 440-934-2664 Hot Hydro ® 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. #2 Toledo, Ohio 43615 419-866-1266 Organic Garden Center 5215 Monroe St. Toledo OH 43623 419-517-8110

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

Tulsa County Hydro-Organics 1928 W. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-259-HYDRO AAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74, Oakhurst, OK 74050 Organics OKC Garden Supply 2800 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 405-528-GROW The OKC Urban Gardener 3711 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-521-9300 Urban Garden 3141 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104 918-289-0018 OREGON _________________________

Aqua Serene 465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-7600 _________________________

Aqua Serene 2836 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 541-302-9073 _________________________

Aurora Innovations PO Box 22041, Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578 _________________________ Vital Organics Northwest 457 River Ave. Eugene, OR 97404 541-688-0028 Oregon's Constant Gardener

2385 West 11th Eugene OR 97402 541-636-4220 Advanced Indoor Gardens 17831 se 82nd drive Gladstone, OR 97027 503-305-6341 Northern Light & Garden 1203 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-474-1700

Astoria Indoor Garden Supply 1343 Duane St. Unit C Astoria OR 97103 503-468-0606

Paradise Supply LLC 560 NE. “F” Street, Unit C, Grand Pass, OR 97526 541-955-7293

Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21, Azalea, OR 97410 541-837-8590

Redwood Nursery 1303 Redwood Ave. Grants Pass OR 97527 541-474-2642

American Agriculture

Vital Organix 932-B SE “M” Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-226-9283

9966 SW. Arctic Dr. Beaverton OR 97005 503-641-3500

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Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street, Gresham, OR 97233 503-465-9909 _________________________

Healthy Harvest Indoor Garden Suite #1, 1635 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy., Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-640-0995 _________________________ Gorge Garden Center 1203 12th St Ste. H Hood River OR 97031 541 386 4769 _________________________

In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 South Junctin City OR 97448 541-234-2342 _________________________

Basin Indoor Gardening 417 N. Spring St. Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-273-2023 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3 Lincoln, OR 97367 541-994-7070 Green Thumb Hydrogarden & Organic Supply 2021 West Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-779-8600 Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics) 817 W. 2nd Street, Medford, OR 97501 _______________________ In & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 _________________________ Ladybug Indoor Gardens 3960 W. Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-618-4459 Advanced Organics & Garden Supply 290- B Merlin Avenue Merlin, Oregon 97532 541-659-1466 _________________________

Wizard’s Garden, LLC 621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458 541-572-2333 _________________________

Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA 541-265-8252 _________________________

Garden Supplies

Gorilla Garden Supply 2011 Union Ave, North Bend, OR 97459 541-756-5005 _________________________ Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234 Indoor Garden Depot

3260 SE Oak Grove Blvd., Oak Grove, OR 97267-1421 503-786-2445 All About Hydroponics 633 Claude Rd. Ontario, OR 98914 208-731-9823 American Agriculture 9220 SE Stark St. Portland OR 97216 800-433-6805 Bloom Garden Supply 518 NE 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 971-255-1336 _________________________

DC Hydroponics & Organics 7275 Green Siding Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471 541-679-3700 Roseburg Hydroponics 853 SE Stephens Street, Roseburg, OR 97470 541-229-1420 Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888

Cascade Horticulture 19959 E. Burnside Portland OR 97233 503-661-1700

The Companion Plant 363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676 _________________________ Flairform PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-395-6353 _________________________

Northern Light & Garden Salem 1915 Lancester Drive, Salem, OR 97305 503-364-4769 Moonshine Park Farm 135 South East 62nd, Unit F South Beach, OR 97366 541-444-2298 Oregon's Constant Gardener 2053 Laura St. Springfield OR 97477 541-747-8170 J-N-B Hydro 2 Go 155 West Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479 541-459-9211 Samurai Greenhouse Supply 32067 Old Hwy. 34 Tanget, OR 97389 541-928-3431 Grow America Garden Supply LLC

BWGS-OR 18201 NE Portal Way, Ste. 104 Portland, OR 97230 888-316-1306 _________________________

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11511 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-841-6868 Pharmer Hydroponics 11135 SW Industrial Way Bldg 10-4 Tualatin, OR 97062 503-486-5751 PENNSYLVANIA

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 9 North Main St. Washington, PA 15301 724-222-0200 Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening 1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103 Valencia, PA 16059 724-903-0800 Organic Garden Center 800 Washington Blvd.

Williamsport, PA 17701 570-322-3120 _________________________

RH Distribution PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 888-545-8112 _________________________ Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007 Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 877-684-3808 Always Green Garden Supply 4400 Old William Penn Hwy Ste. 106 Monroeville PA 15146 412-646-1243 New Stanton Hydro 150 Post Ave. New Stanton, PA. 15672 724-635-0297 Hydrofarm East 270 Canal Road Fairless Hills, PA 19030 888-780-4567

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406 877-779-7111(Northeast) _________________________ PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175 RHODE ISLAND Oakworld Garden Center 39 West Street, Barrington, RI 02806 401-245-5705 Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc. 2406 Putman Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010 Organically Grown 768 Atwood Ave Cranston, RI 02920 401-944-0549

The Companion Plant

Garden Spout, The 4532 South East 63rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 503-788-4769

Green Solutions Hydroponics 1700 Orange Street Berwick, PA 18603 570-752-1530

Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007

Jantzen Beach Hydroponics 909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217 503-546-3185

Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania 208 Route 13, Bristol, PA 19007 800-227-4567

Full Bloom Hydroponics 84 South 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 888-872-3602

Hydro-Earth 1243 Mineral Springs Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 401-305-5520

Lights Distributing 9843 SW 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219

422 GROW 1775 North Main Street Extension Butler, PA 16001-1327 724-561-3777 ________________________

Gardening-Indoor 20550 Rt. #19 Cranberry Twp. Pitsburgh PA 16066 724-591-8086

The Organic Grow Hut 375 Putnam Pike- Ste 13 Smithfield, RI 02828 401-349-4141

Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981 Roots Garden Supply 5426 North Gay Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503-285-4768 Urban Flora 2865 South East, Portland, OR 97214 503-236-3344 BIGS Warehouse 2606 SW 4th Street, Unit B Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-8886 Indoor Garden Supply 536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-7750

High Tech Garden Supply 20232 Route 19, Unit 6, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-473-1113 ________________________ Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 830 Route 119, Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-1118 Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC 509 Orchard Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-388-0100

Good To Grow 34 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 401-392-3100 _________________________ Growin’ Crazy 93 Kingston Road Wyoming, Rhode Island 02898 401-284-0810 SOUTH CAROLINA

Pocono Hydroponic Solutions 25 Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 570-730-4544

Everybody’s Garden Center 2701 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 800-669-5483

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363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 2008 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-232-7030 Healthy Gardens and Supply 1012 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076 866-32-HYDRO Northeast Hydroponics & Homebrewing 221 Scranton Carbondale Hwy. Scranton PA 18508 570-209-7924 Full Time Garden Supply

1011 Ritner Highway Shippensburg PA.17257 717-477-0350

GrowRI

184 Admiral Kalbfus Road Newport, RI 02840 401-619-0776

South County Hydroponics

GreenSpirit Hydrogarden 1864 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29405 843-225-1GRO Skyes the Limit 455 B Fleming Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 843-566-2121 247 Garden Supply 535 D Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229 803-788-4445 The Urban Garden Hydroponics 9557 Two Notch Rd. Ste. E Columbia, SC 29223 803-788-9313 _________________________

All Seasons Indoor & Outdoor Supplies 1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4 Conway, SC 29526 843-347-9266 _________________________ Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More 1230 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609 864-271-8830 SOUTH DAKOTA _________________________

Green Earth Products Inc. 5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-342-1307 _________________________

51 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 401-783-1733

TENNESSEE

Grow With Us 709 Warwick Ave. Warwick RI 02888 401-270-6998

Innovative Hydroponic Supply Inc. 3286 North Park Blvd. Unit G Alcoa TN 37701 865-984-0280

Mother Nature Hydroponics 1268 Post Rd. Warwick RI 02888 401-780-0600

Atlantis Hydroponics 1800 Rossville Avenue, #3, Chattanooga, TN 37408 423-752-5400

GrowRI 105 Franklin street Unit # 38 Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-0904

Advanced Hydroponic Garden 783 French Mill Road, Dandridge, TN 37725 800-521-1643

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Perpetual Harvest

75 Riverport Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 877-422-3391 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 6912 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, TN 37921 866-938-3318 Sun City Hydroponics 2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133 901-372-8100 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 126 Belinda Parkway, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 888-265-9005 _______________________ All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co. 924 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203 800-790-2188 _________________________

Worm’s Way Tennessee 901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153 _________________________ TEXAS Abundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 3101 Avenue E East, Arlington, TX 76011 817-649-0100 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 4201 South Congress Ave. Suite 310 Austin, TX 78745 512-444-2100 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin) 5605 Burnet Rd. Austin, Tx 78756 512-459-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin)

2125-A Goodrich Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 512-440-4769

Third Coast Horticulture Supplies

2715 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226 512-459-4353 Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies) 13628 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244 866-WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555

Botani Garden 15120 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77083 281-575-1999 Houston Discount Hydroponics 9380 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77063 713-464-9406 Hydroponic Nation 9001 Frey Road Houston TX 77034 713-943-1115 Progressive Garden 3582 W T.C. Jester Blvd Houston, TX 77018 713-681-7764 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston) 2420 Rusk St, Houston, TX 77003 713-641-4769 Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply

6125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. #206 Houston, TX 77041 713-856-8425 Texas Growers Supply 5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602, Humble, TX 77396 281-441-3739 Hydro Mart 3841 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088 972-475-6114 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics

5121 Crest Way Dr., Ste. 203 San Antonio, TX 78239 210-248-9309 _________________________

Sol Organics & Hydroponics 1634 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 210-366-9082 _________________________ Innergrow Hydroponics 24451 Interstate Highway 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 866-475-4769 UTAH Wasatch Hydroponics 4050 South Howick, Suite 11E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 801-716-4133 VERMONT

Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323 Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies

20 School Street, Plainfield, VT 05667 802-454-8000 LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100 Green Thumb Gardening P.O. Box 235, Route 15, Underhill, VT 5489 800-564-9376

Organic Garden & Feed 3801 N Interstate Hwy 35,Suite126, Denton Texas 76207 940-381-9890 _________________________ Earth Organics 1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79936 915-591-9500 Hydrofarm Central 950 Avenue S Grand Prairie, TX 75050-1133 800-634-9999

VIRGINIA Fifth Season Gardening Co. 900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903 434-293-2332 Clean & Green Technologies 196 Corning Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073 866-694-1628 Maryland Hydroponics 1061 West Broad Street Falls Church, VA 866-324-9376

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Lucky Roots 612 North Sheppard St. Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Company 5327 D Williamson Road Roanoke, VA 24012 540-265-2483 Inside-Out Garden Supply 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150 703-451-3259 I Love Hydroponics 368 Newtown Road, #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-490-5425 Hydroponics & Growlights 13400 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-490-0700 West VIRGINIA Panhandle Hydroculture 800 East Moler Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-240-7587 Mountaineer Gardening and Hydroponics 258 Kingwood St. Morgantown WV 26505 304-290-2460 Almost Heaven Hydroponics 3476 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505 304-598-5911 WASHINGTON

1302 Motor Circle, Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-9376 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas) 2606 Manana Dr Dallas, TX 75220 214-744-4769 _________________________

Lone Star Hydroponics & Organics

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

AJ’s Indoor Gardening 1317 Summit St. Aberdeen, WA 98520 360-533-1170 _________________________

_________________________

Island Horticulture Supply 1500 Port Dr., Burlington, WA 98233 360-707-5999 _________________________

Indoor Tropics

5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782

_________________________ Indoor Gardening

111 W.Main Centralia, WA 98531 360-807-4259 Grow Center, The

615 South Fir DeerPark WA 99006 509-276-GROW Cascadia Garden Supply 188 A St. Eastsound WA 98245 360-376-6040

Indoor Tropics 801 N. Prospect Ellensburg WA 98926 509-933-4441 _________________________ Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite B Everett WA 98208 425-374-2227 Indoor Garden Depot 8630 Evergreen Way, Suite B Everett, WA 98208 425-347-0700 1401 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 _________________________

Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 6121 172nd Street NE #A, Arlington, WA 98223 360-474-1900 elfair Garden & Lighting

24090 NE State Route 3 #F Belfair,WA 98528 360-275-2130 Green Gardens Distributing 12738 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98005 425-454-5731 In Bloom 2119 Lincoln Street Bellingham WA 98225 360-778-1668 Northern Lights Gardening 4159 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 360-715-8585 Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230 Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277 M & R Lighting Unit C 22914 Highway 410, Buckley, WA 98390 360-707-5999

Grogro Hydro 12403 NE. 124th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 888-7-GROGRO; 425-820-6200 _________________________

KP Indoor Garden Store 8912 Key Peninsula HWY N Lakebay, WA 98349 253-884-SURE (7873) ________________________ InDoor Gardening 1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851 Indoor Gardening 5718 Pacific Ave. Lacey WA 00000 360-338-0676

________________________

_________________________

Indoor Garden Depot

Island Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd. Anacortes WA 98221 360-293-0000 _________________________

Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299

North West Hydro Supply 1355 Pacific Pl, Ste. 101 Ferndale WA 98248 360-778-3254 _________________________ Fife Indoor Garden Center

1422 54th Ave. E. Fife, WA 98424 253-922-5352 Good 2 Gro 3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336 509-737-1313 Hefty Harvest Garden & Hydroponic Supply 2825 Marvin Road NE Ste M Lacey, WA 98516 360-628-8964 _________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 20505 Highway 99,, Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-673-2755 _________________________ Go-N-Green Hydroponics

1241 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-386-8230

Green Acres Indoor Garden & Lighting 514 State Ave, Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-658-GROW (4769) Island Hydroponic & Supplies 1515 5th Street #B, Marysville, WA 98271 425-299-5855 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 1204 East Wheeler Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837 509-766-5856 M & R Lighting 17238 Memorial Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-848-1080 Northern Lights Gardening

1524 Riverside Dr #2 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-982-2217 ________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SE Preston WA 98050 425-222-9661 ________________________ Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641 Renton Indoor Garden Center

Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue, Kent, WA 98032 253-373-9060 _________________________

329 Wells Ave. S., Renton WA 98057 425-917-9000

Eco Enterprises 1240 NE 175th Street, #B Shoreline, WA 98155 800-426-6937

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Aqua Serene 3839 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769) ________________________ Grogro Hydro 12316 32nd AVE NE #103 Seattle, WA 98125 Hydro-Tech

2121 Aurora Avenue, North,Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-2202 ________________________

Seattle's Hydro Spot 917 NW 49th St. Seattle, WA 98107 206-784-2161 ________________________

Sodo Hydro 1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134

509 Grow

2718 N Division Spokane, WA 99207 509-327-GROW(4769) Grow Center, The 2808 W Sprague Spokane WA 99202 509-456-GROW

SnoGro Indoor Gardening Supply 502 Maple Ave. Snohomish WA 98290 360-863-6935

14103 Pacific Ave., S. Tacoma WA 98444 253-301-3985 _______________________

1514 East Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208 509-464-0246 Rootz Indoor Garden Supply

923 E. Hoffman Spokane, WA 99207 509-443-5999 _______________________

Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 4823 East Sprague Avenue E., Spokane Valley, WA 99212 509-534-4055 ________________________ Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 8701 North Division Suite D Spokane Valley, WA 509-468-4800 ________________________

Waterworks Hydroponics 5039 S. Washington Tacoma, WA 98409 • 253-301-4343 waterworkshydro@hotmail.com ________________________

Indoor Garden Supply LLC 1250 Atlantic Ave, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055 Artificial Sun Hydroponics

3506 Summitview Ave. Yakima WA 98902 509-823-4026

River City Hydroponics

206-682-9377; 888-90-HYDRO (904-9376)

__________________________ Northwest Horticulture Supply 161 Hooker Road, #1, Sequim, WA 98057 360-582-0702

Garden City Hydroponics

Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 253-761-7478 ________________________ Solar Shop 306 West 4th Street, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-486-4508 Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 ________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 4525 NW Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver, WA 98660 888-478-6544 (Northwest) ___________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 5408 NE 88th Street, Building A, Vancouver, WA 98665 888-478-6544 _________________________

WISCONSIN _________________________

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 1104 West Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914 920-574-3258 _________________________ Grow BIG Hydroponics

954 S. Westland, Appleton, WI 54914 920-749-4769

Hydro Your Own

8501-75th Street, Unit C Kenosha, WI 53142 262 697 6112 Brew and Grow 3317 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53716 608-226-8910 _________________________

Paradigm Gardens 4501 Helgesen Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608-241-3800 _________________________ Brew and Grow 2246 Bluemound Road Ste. B Waukesha, WI 53186 262-717-0666

H2oGrow 1150 Madison rd Beloit WI 53511 608-289-1852

PUERTO RICO _________________________

Brew and Grow 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 262-789-0555 Sustainable Growth LLC 218 N Dewey St. Eau Claire WI 54703 715-901-0511 Garden Supply Guys 752 Memorial Drive - Suite A Green Bay, WI 54303 920-857-9493

Tecno-Hydro Ave Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450 Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | April 2013

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