THE top team at a Greenock community initiative are breaking new ground with an innovative growing project.

Inverclyde Shed Hydroponics Project | Claire Amber Young |

Inverclyde Shed founder Bruce Newlands and his team have set up ‘hydroponics towers’ on the mezzanine level of the initiative’s workshop and maker space on East Blackhall Street.

The project has come to fruition thanks to a £5,000 funding boost from the Inverclyde Community Fund, and its success could see up to 400 plants grown in the indoor space.

(Image: George Munro)Bruce said the project, being led by Shed member and electrical engineer Jim Logue, is a ‘great experiment’.

He added: “We have growing spaces in Gourock and Port Glasgowand this is helping us to bring a growing space into the Shed itself.

“It’s the ‘grow’ part of our tagline ‘meet, make, grow, and share’.

“The idea is that it’s completely automated and grows itself.

“It’s a completely different way of growing from our community garden spaces.”

Water which is rich in nutrients sits at the bottom of each tower, and a submersible pump circulates the liquid around growing pockets.

Each of the holes contains a block of foam and plants are grown from seed with help from universal spectrum lighting.

The team are investigating the use of coir, the fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconuts, instead of foam, to make the project even more sustainable.

Lettuce is the first crop to be tried out and there are plans to grow a whole variety of plants, including herbs and strawberries.

Bruce added: “The idea is that people will be able to take a few leaves and leave the plant growing.

“We have to see what grows and what doesn’t.

“Things should grow more quickly.

“It’s a totally different way of growing, but it definitely has value.

“If things are growing faster, and fuller, with less resource, that can only be a good thing.

“As it’s vertical growing, it uses much less space.”

A group of around 10 Shed members meet regularly to discuss the project.

(Image: George Munro)As the towers sit on the mezzanine level, there are plans to instal a hoist to move baskets up and down to collect and deliver the produce.

Bruce said the mechanics of the growing project could be used within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning (STEM) education for young people.

Shed members will benefit from the plants at the start but if the project is a success, Bruce said there’s potential for the produce to be given out to other community organisations.

Bruce added: “It’s good fun and it’s a really good project.”

Original Article: https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/25380386.inverclyde-shed-introduces-hydroponics-growing-project/