New York Underground

We recently published a blog about Growing Underground , a hydroponics farm that operates fantastically in a disused air raid shelter in south west London.

New Yorkers have their underground concepts too and in the basement of a Manhattan Michelin 2 Star restaurant can be found Farm One's vertical hydroponic garden.

Set up in 2016 by Australian entrepreneur Rob Laing the farm produces a real diverse and definitive range of herbs that in some cases are rather rare to find elsewhere. Chefs in a Michelin 2 Star restaurant certainly appreciate them!

With over 560 different herbs being grown, Rob says that he 'wouldn’t want to pay for a space with great retail frontage' and that all he needs is 'a floor drain, water, power, temperature control, and the ability to seal the space so bugs don’t get in.'

The beauty of this setup in such a central location is that herbs can be delivered to the most distinctive eating establishments by bike in very little time at all. This means the herbs are practically fresh-picked for the order of the meal!

Those who order the food at such an establishment may peruse whether the best method of growing food is below street level in New York. Neil Mattson, who is an associate professor in the subject at Cornell University says that there is nothing to feel disillusioned about because 'plants don’t care whether they get light from the sun or the lamps. It’s the same thing.'

The principles for Farm One are as such:

• To grow for rarity and delight.
• To grow for flavor and nutrition.
• To grow a stone's throw from where we eat.
• To grow pure; GMO, contaminant and pesticide-free.
• To grow plants with the same care that we plate dishes.
• To grow for chefs, on-demand, year-round.
  

On Rob Laing's personal website he goes on to dismiss a few myths about hydroponics:

"There's a misconception that the taste of hydroponically-grown produce is inferior. The truth is much simpler: If you choose common varieties and grow purely for appearance and yield, you will get fat, lazy, bland and boring plants whether you grow hydroponically or in soil. If instead you choose varieties and cultivars for the best flavor, and grow to maximize that flavor, hydroponics will achieve the same quality or better than growing from soil. The beneficial bacteria in the soil that is sometimes referenced seems to aid in nutrient absorption but not flavor improvement. And a number of studies now have shown equivalent or improved nutrition from hydroponically-grown produce over conventional agriculture."

This goes to show that with the correct knowledge, care and techniques, almost anything can be grown anywhere using hydroponics