The shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic left most people with a lot of extra time on their hands. Some spent time with family, some exercised, some binge-watched Netflix series and some indulged in DIY projects. For Abu Dhabi resident Mahdi Alhindawi, it was the former, growing his gardening hobby into a full-fledged business — that all began on his balcony.
“Hydroponics is a soil-less technique, where nutrients are added directly to the water in a closed-cycle system. This system is controlled by a smart controller that you can manage through a phone app for both irrigation and mixing the nutrient recipe,” Alhindawi says.
He grows a wide range of fresh vegetables (and a few fruits) using a fully functioning hydroponic system on his balcony at Al Rayyana Complex in Khalifa City.
CAPTION: Mahdi AlhindawiThese include cauliflower, eggplant, tomatoes, yellow peppers, zucchini, leafy greens, chiles, radishes, carrots, garlic, melons, strawberries and fresh herbs.
Typically, a hydroponic garden can yield triple the volume of produce than a traditional soil-based garden.
CAPTION: Alhindawi’s balcony gardenAnd this year’s hydroponic balcony yield is looking abundant. But if you think you don’t have the right space, think again.
He says almost any space is ample. “In hydroponics the wall can be your farm or the balcony or the roof of the house or inside the room.”
If you’re considering the environmental footprint of such a setup, there’s no need to be concerned.
And because it’s recycled, water consumption is only about 10-30 percent of that of normal soil-based gardening, and the setups are easy to clean and maintain.
These gardens are possible in small or large spaces — both indoors and out.
“For a closed environment setup, we use growing LEDs — special lights that simulate sunlight with specific frequencies,” he says.
Though this was initially a DIY venture and meant to be a bit of fun, finding the right equipment was challenging, as the garden setup and functionality required a lot of customized tools.
Now with his materials well-sourced, he helps others set up their own gardens with his business, Enjazponic.
Alhindawi says the benefits of growing your own produce are substantial.
Aside from the fact that hydroponic vegetables can contain up to 50 percent more vitamins A, B, C and E than conventional crops, “eating fresh vegetables just after harvest positively impacts your health,” he says.
CAPTION: Closed space garden“The fresh vegetables are higher quality, there’s a sense of accomplishment for what you produce yourself and it’s a lovely activity for kids.”
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