7 Vegetables to Grow Next in Your Aquaponics System (And How to Care for Them)
Once you've mastered growing the basics in your aquaponics system, it's time to level up and experiment with more rewarding vegetables.
These next-level plants require a bit more attention but will provide a diverse and bountiful harvest.
The 'next level' of plants for aquaponics need to have more attention for the growing. You need to ensure you have the balance of water quality right, and in the case of any fruiting plant, you will need to increase potassium into 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.
1. Tomatoes
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:
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.
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
2. Capsicums or Peppers
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 peppers, and they do well in both outdoor and indoor systems with sufficient light.
Key Care Tips:
Light: 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. Cucumbers
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:
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.
Check out this video showing you how I grow cucumbers in aquaponics:
4. Eggplants
Eggplants 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:
Light: Provide at least 8 hours of sunlight or supplemental lighting.
Temperature: Eggplants 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 easily
5. Beans
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:
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. Strawberries
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:
Pest Protection: Use netting to protect the fruit from birds and insects.
Airflow: Ensure good airflow around the plants to prevent fungal issues like mold or mildew.
Pollination: While self-pollinating, hand-pollinating or introducing pollinators can improve fruit yield.
7. Broccoli
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:
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.
Conclusion
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!
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 watching 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.
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
Sign up HERE
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.