7 of the Best Vegetables for Aquaponics (And How to Care for Them)
Ready to take your aquaponics gardening to the next level? Discover the best vegetables to grow in your system, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to try more rewarding plants.
These next-level vegetables require a bit more attention but will provide a diverse and bountiful harvest.
Tips for Moving into Advanced Aquaponics Gardening
Taking this step into advanced aquaponics gardening means choosing plants that need more attention for growing. You need to ensure you have the right balance of water quality. In the case of any fruiting plant, you will need to increase potassium in your aquaponics system.
This can be easily done with potassium bicarb (used when boosting your pH), or you can add a potassium acetone spray or even a little worm juice rich in potassium (banana skins). Many options, but important.
Here's how to grow them successfully in aquaponics, with tips on temperature, climate, and support structures.
What Vegetables to Grow in Aquaponics to Level Up
It's time to take things up a notch and try your hand at more rewarding vegetables for your advanced aquaponics gardening. Here are just some of the best vegetables to grow in aquaponics that will take you to the next level of aquaponics farming:
1. Growing Tomatoes in Aquaponics
Tomatoes are a popular and rewarding crop in aquaponics, but they do need a bit more care than leafy greens.
They thrive in warm climates and require both trellising and pruning to ensure a high yield.
Tomatoes prefer water temperatures between 21-27°C or 70-80°F.
For best results, provide at least 8 hours of sunlight and maintain good airflow around the plants.
Key Care Tips for Growing Tomatoes in Aquaponics:
Support: Use trellises, cages, or stakes to keep the vines upright.
Pruning: Regular pruning is essential to focus energy on fruit production.
Climate: Warm, sunny environments are ideal. If growing indoors, ensure adequate light with grow lights.
Ready to Dive Deeper into Advanced Aquaponics Gardening?
Explore my range of aquaponics farming courses and start your journey today! Unlock all the tips, advice and practical skills I've developed over my years of working with aquaponics gardening, click here to get started!
2. Growing Capsicums or Peppers in Aquaponics
Capsicums or Peppers, whether sweet or hot, are perfect for aquaponics, but they thrive best in warmer environments.
They need plenty of light and consistent warmth to develop properly.
Water temperatures between 18-27°C or 65-80°F are ideal for capsicums or peppers, and they do well in both outdoor and indoor systems with sufficient light.
Key Care Tips for Growing Capsicums or Peppers in Aquaponics:
Light: Capsicums or Peppers need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight or equivalent grow light exposure.
Support: Some varieties may need staking, especially as they get heavier with fruit.
Climate: Warm, mild climates are best, and using a greenhouse or covering the system in cooler weather can help.
3. Growing Cucumbers in Aquaponics
Cucumbers are vigorous climbers and do well in aquaponics systems when given the right conditions.
They prefer water temperatures between 21-29°C or 70-85°F and need support for their vines.
Because cucumbers rely on pollination to produce fruit, hand-pollination or adding pollinator-friendly plants to your system is essential.
Key Care Tips for Growing Cucumbers in Aquaponics:
Support: Train the vines to grow vertically on trellises to save space and encourage healthy growth.
Pollination: Hand-pollinate the flowers if natural pollinators are scarce in your area.
Climate: Warm, sunny climates are ideal, with moderate to high humidity levels.
Watch my tutorial on how to grow cucumbers in aquaponics for more tips and tricks:
Check out my growing cucumbers in aquaponics guide for more info.
4. Growing Eggplants or Aubergines in Aquaponics
Eggplants or Aubergines are another warm-weather crop that can thrive in aquaponics systems.
They need consistent warmth, good light exposure, and rich nutrients.
They prefer water temperatures between 21-29°C or 70-85°F, and they can be grown both indoors and outdoors as long as they receive sufficient light.
Key Care Tips for Growing Eggplants or Aubergines in Aquaponics:
Light: Provide at least 8 hours of sunlight or supplemental lighting.
Temperature: Eggplants or Aubergines thrive in warm temperatures, so keep them protected in cooler climates.
Support: Use stakes or cages as the plants grow to support the weight of the fruit.
And this video shows you how to grow eggplants or aubergines in aquaponics easily:
5. Growing Beans in Aquaponics
Beans, especially pole beans, are an excellent addition to your aquaponics system.
These climbing plants need sturdy supports and plenty of sunlight to thrive.
Beans prefer water temperatures between 18-27°C or 65-80°F and do well in a range of climates as long as they receive sufficient warmth and sunlight.
Key Care Tips for Growing Beans in Aquaponics:
Support: Provide poles, trellises, or netting for the vines to climb.
Light: Ensure plenty of sunlight (or grow light) to encourage flowering and pod production.
Variety: Bush beans may also be grown in smaller systems, as they don't require climbing support.
6. Growing Strawberries in Aquaponics
Strawberries can be a delightful crop in aquaponics, but they are a bit more delicate than other plants.
They prefer water temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) and need close attention to humidity levels and airflow to prevent mildew.
Strawberries can be grown vertically in towers or in grow beds, making them a space-efficient choice.
Key Care Tips for Growing Strawberries in Aquaponics:
Pest Protection: Use netting to protect the fruit from birds and insects.
Airflow: Ensure good airflow around the plants to prevent fungal issues like mould or mildew.
Pollination: While self-pollinating, hand-pollinating or introducing pollinators can improve fruit yield.
7. Growing Broccoli in Aquaponics
Broccoli is a cool-weather crop that can be grown in aquaponics but requires more attention to space and nutrient levels.
It thrives in water temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and needs plenty of space to grow.
Broccoli can be a bit finicky with its nutrient requirements, so monitoring your system's balance is essential.
Key Care Tips for Growing Broccoli in Aquaponics:
Space: Provide adequate spacing between plants to allow proper growth.
Nutrients: Monitor and adjust nutrient levels to ensure robust head development.
Climate: While broccoli prefers cooler temperatures, it can still thrive in mild climates with careful temperature control.
Level Up Your Aquaponics Farming with these Vegetables
Growing these next-level vegetables in your aquaponics system can be a rewarding challenge.
Each plant has specific needs in terms of climate, temperature, light, and support, but with the right care, you'll enjoy a diverse and bountiful harvest.
As always, aquaponics is about balance—ensuring that your system's environment matches the needs of your crops is key to success.
Ready to expand your aquaponics garden? Start by adding one or two of these vegetables and see how your gardening skills grow!
If you're not sure you're ready for this level check out the 7 Easiest Vegetables to Start Growing in your Home Aquaponics System or 9 Easy-to-Grow Plants for Your Vegetable Garden.
Check out My YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'
Aquaponics is an ecosystem, and with anything it takes time to learn how it works. So, sit back and binge watch my 'how to' playlist and the 'Water Quality Made Simple' Playlist, and learn the next steps in your aquaponics system as you create the ecosystem.
Here are the next 2 videos I recommend you watch to create your ecosystem ~ before you add any fish.
How Aquaponics Works as an Ecosystem
How to Cycle Your Aquaponics System (How to Colonise it with Bacteria)
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
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You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
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Want to help out and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)
Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.
Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.
She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.
Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.