Freshzest Growing Philosophy

Hydroponics typically involves growing plants under greenhouse conditions in soil-less media, although actual methods of production vary in the detail.  The major benefits from protected cropping outweigh the multiple pitfalls of growing plants in open fields, but success comes from a finely tuned recipe that combines science, experience and art.

Under the stewardship of Robert Hayes' experience and guiding principles, Freshzest refused to adopt the common practice of introducing anything into the growing systems that 'sterilise' the growing media.  The approach was and remains one of developing and continuously refining the Freshzest recipe based on recirculating sand beds in which diverse microflora ecosystem can thrive.

The overarching benefit of Freshzest’s 24 hour a day protected hydroponics systems is that they closely mimic the role of Mother Nature.  This is achieved in a number of ways while delivering significant advantages over conventional production techniques that include

Product quality and Supply

• effective risk management ensuring reliability of supply within a maximum of 48 hours after picking
• direction of nutrients in a controlled manner to the root system (where they are needed) to result in optimum plant nutrition that produces superior quality culinary herbs for consumers
• plant nutritional status and vigour that optimises natural pest and disease resistance and also improves reliability of superior quality product supply

Efficiencies and the Environment

• closed drip irrigation systems supply nutrient solution onto sand beds (substrate), then collect and recycle excess nutrient to result in next to zero discharge to the environment
• electronic systems continuously monitor soil media and greenhouse conditions to ensure optimum plant health and yield
• asset utilisation and profitability underwrite long term stability and growth through maximisation of yield and crop turnaround times
• close to 100 per cent efficiencies in water and fertiliser utilisation reduce production costs and total environmental footprint