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NESDAY | JUNE 4 | 2008
Wednesday.March 28.2018 Powell River Peak » prpeak.com
Spring
HOME AND GARDEN
Possibilities grow for indoor gardening Home-based systems abound for microgreens, herbs and fresh produce ANDY RICE Peak Contributor
Five years ago, Jen McGuinness had a major pot problem. Or, rather, a container conundrum. At the time, the now-Powell River resident was living in a townhouse under the shade of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish with a patio full of herb and vegetable plants. “All we wanted was a place to sit,” said McGuinness, “so I started researching on how to make an indoor garden that was more vertical.” Inspired by the living wall tapestries one might find in the pages of their favourite home and garden magazine, McGuinness began adapting the idea to suit edible plants. “Most of the tomatoes and peppers and cucumbers you get at the grocery store now are all hydroponically grown,” she said. “There were a couple of countertop systems available, so I knew it was possible.” However, McGuinness was insistent her system be both modular and space-conscious, so as not to merely shift the problem from the patio to the kitchen. “I had a pretty solid list of things the design had to meet,” she said. “It had to be vertical, it had to go on the wall. We also wanted to make it automated. Obviously, some people are into growing; some people are not.” McGuinness came up with a few sketches, contacted an engineering firm and eventually gained the attention of the National Research Council of Canada, who offered financial asB2
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Mother Nature owner Ron Pfister not only sells many of the components indoor gardening enthusiasts require for growing microgreens, herbs and other plants, he also uses the products in his own home. NYAH CHRISTIE PHOTO
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