It’s so Easy2Grow your own!

The quarter-acre Kiwi dream may be just that for many New Zealanders as they jockey for position in the eternal rat race, however one couple has found a way to turn any small backyard – or even patio – into an urban oasis.

Looking for a better way to grow food with a minimum of space, keen gardeners, Shane and Courtenay Kilpatrick, discovered Easy2Grow, a self-watering growing system.

“Both of us have been interested in gardening since we were children,” says Courtenay. “We were looking for affordable solutions to growing food with minimal space, and discovered AutoPot products’ Easy2Grow system in a UK gardening publication. We were also time poor, both working full time and expecting our first child, so this system was just the answer!”

Courtenay says the couple can now plant vegetable seedlings and, aside from ensuring the water tank is full, every 3-4 weeks, they can forget them until they are ready to eat.

Sick of being forced to do their gardening at the supermarket and thrilled with their discovery, Shane and Courtenay, who had been iving in Auckland, packed up moved to New Plymouth to share Easy2Grow with Kiwis nationwide.

Establishing a garden supply business – Urbangrow – in April, the couple became the New Zealand distributors of the Easy2Grow range.

“This system provides a real sense of achievement, through being able to produce food for the family, without having to rely on the supermarket. We knew there were people like us that wanted to grow their own food with little hassle, whether they were new to gardening or experienced. With Easy2Grow, everyone can grow some of their food supply, even if it’s just a few herbs in the window.”

Courtenay says the range also helps to grow knowledge of food production and how to garden in an environmentally-friendly manner.

“We have some kids in New Zealand that have no idea where or how their food is created and may even think peas really do come from the freezer!” she says. “Also, there are gardeners that aren't eco-friendly; water, for example, is wasted in large amounts with gardens, because usually it’s not measured. Unlike most systems, Easy2grow gives the control of watering and feeding over to the plant, so it doesn’t waste water or power.”

Easy2grow can be used to grow with soil or hydroponically. Although hydroponic gardening has been a ‘growing’ trend in recent years, Courtenay says some people remain apprehensive about this method.

“More and more people are starting to understand the need and benefits of hydroponics and it's growing in popularity. I think some people are a little scared that hydroponic systems are too technical and expensive, but this is changing, thanks to products such as ours.”

The simplicity of the system first attracted Shane and Courtenay’s interest. The Starter Kit provides an automatic supply of water and nutrients, with a built-in wet/dry cycle to mimic natural systems. No electricity, pumps or timers are required. From there, gardeners can add extension kits to suit their needs. Pests and root rot are also avoided.

“It’s versatile too,” says Courtenay, “it’s designed to suit modern people’s busy lifestyles. It’s compact, portable, can be used indoors or out, and it’s modular, so Easy2Grow can be expanded as required.”

She says the range has been well received in the few months since Urbangrow introduced it to the New Zealand market.

“I think there is a global movement to grow your own; people are concerned not just with increasing prices, but where their food comes from, its freshness and what chemicals have been used,” Courtenay says, “Thanks to this system, we can now quickly achieve optimum yields from a minimum of space, while knowing exactly where our food comes from and what’s in it!”

Click here for more information about Urbangrow and the Easy2Grow range.

UPDATE: Urbangrow's products are now also available online at: www.gubba.co.nz