For those looking to grow fresh herbs and vegetables in the comfort of their own home, Australian startup company Bace has created a sculptural, hydroponic system named Rotofarm.
Designed with tight, urban homes in mind, the indoor gardening system helps balance the correct amount of light and water, so leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, sprouts, and edible flowers can be easily grown in your own kitchen. The need for soil has also been eliminated so plants can grow quickly and easily, which is further optimized with a phone app that controls the sunrise and sunset times. After “sunrise,” the light emits purple and red tones that help boost the plants’ growth.
Referencing research done by NASA in regards to plant growth in zero gravity conditions, Rotofarm’s rotating design spins every 46 minutes and uses a sun-replicating, 360-degrees LED lighting system, dubbed Sun+, in its center. The rotating motion helps to deliver light evenly, in addition to eliminating the growth-restricting force of gravity.
Rotofarm is designed with eight slots for plants and can fit 1.6 meters of growing area inside its small 60 cm frame. To grow food, the device uses custom-created Bace Seed Pods, which are composed of 100% biodegradable coconut fiber. The coconut fiber provides the ideal aeration and moisture balance necessary for healthy crops. Seeds for a variety of herbs, microgreens, and vegetables come pre-planted inside each pod. Additionally, the pods are also the first to have no plastic tabs or containers. Water is then dispersed through the reservoir located in the stainless steel base.
When it comes to harvesting your crop, just tilt the Rotofarm 180-degrees and pull off the magnetic Eclipse Cover. Once you’re done, just close it back up. The optional cover also increases humidity and is designed to keep more light in with a reflective mirror, while cutting 60 percent of the light entering the room.
To ensure crops don’t fall out while they are inverted, a BPA-free farm bed held together by a black silicon mat is used. When it comes to cleaning, the mat can be easily removed. On top of its technical specifications, the Rotofarm boasts a décor-friendly design and is suitable to put on display in any kitchen. And for all the veggie lovers out there, the Rotofarm can produce enough fresh herbs and vegetables for a supplemented diet.
“As we have seen, the agricultural industry grows more destructive day by day,” Toby Farmer, founder of Bace shared. “Rotofarm moves part of the farm right into your kitchen as a sustainable source of healthy, organic food in a beautiful, technologically advanced all-in-one system.”
The Rotofarm is expected to ship in October 2020 for a retail price of approximately $590 CAD ($430 USD).
