Paonia Town Hall has received more than one inquiry asking “why is that pot shop still open on Grand Avenue?” and according to business owner, David Patterson, that assumption has had an impact on his business, Colorado Horticultural Supply.
The shop specializes in hydroponic indoor growing equipment and outdoor growing supplies. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, expanded clay or coconut husk.
According to Patterson, some of the reasons for using a hydroponic system for food production are that no soil is needed and water stays in the system and can be re-used; plus you have control of nutrients and the ability to produce stable, year-round crops and high yields.
Some of the crops that are grown locally using hydroponics include tomatoes, greens, wheatgrass and assorted herbs. David’s business focuses on organic growing however, he says that hydroponics can be used in a standard growing process, as well.
During a recent chamber of commerce event, David stated that he had 40 plus people come through his shop, most of whom had never set foot inside before. One thing that almost instantly caught their eye was a large, plastic, cone shaped contraption that Patterson calls a vortex brewer in which he brews tea but he explains, “it’s not your traditional tea.”
Patterson believes that most people are getting away from conventional NPK fertilizers and use of organic fertilizers is on the rise as people are resorting to environmental friendly (or “green”) products. While organic fertilizer may contain fewer nutrients, some people still prefer organic due to its natural ingredients.
The microbial (or compost) tea that is brewed at Colorado Horticultural uses all organic ingredients. According to Patterson, compost tea makes the benefits of compost go farther. What’s more, when sprayed on the leaves, compost tea helps suppress foliar diseases, increases the amount of nutrients available to the plant, and speeds the breakdown of toxins.
So apparently, for now, downtown Paonia has neither a pot shop nor a tea house but we DO have our very own Hydro-Farm horticultural supply distributor and a plentiful supply of compost tea available by the gallon.
Tags: Local Business
