Aquaponics Tour

Thanks to a homeschooling friend, we had the chance to visit Mountainside Lavender Farm just outside of Hillsboro for a tour of their aquaponics system. They have Catfish, Koi and Tilapia in their tanks. The plants in the green house were so lush and huge! However, the system seems fairly labor heavy with constant monitoring and lots of adjustments needed. It also requires an energy source to keep the tanks heated and the pumps working. You need a back up as well because if the power goes out for too long, you can lose your fish. I would love to have an aquaponics system someday but will have to seriously consider the requirements. Best tips: use a chop system, and bigger is easier (a 100 gallon system is better).

Here is one of the growing medium tanks. To the left, just outside the photo, is a big tank with fish in it. The water pumps through a filter into this tank and then on to others. The little balls are hydroton clay pellots. There are red worms and little snails living in this tank amongst the hydroton.

One of the fish tanks. Many of these tanks were built by hand.

Stacking herb gardens: some of these will be going to Portland restaurants filled with basil.

These beds are not connected to the system but are for root vegetables, like carrots, and others that need a place. They do get some of the nutrient rich water poured in by hand (if I remember correctly).

They grow a number of varieties of lavender here and have a gorgeous view of Mount Hood. We'll be going back this summer to pick lavender. Anyone can visit and tour the aquaponics system during the regular u-pick lavender season, early June through July. They also have some pygmy goats. http://www.mountainsidelavender.com/index.html