Nemo's Garden is the world's first underwater farm growing terrestrial plants. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown in these air-filled biospheres, anchored to the seafloor.
Nemo's Garden is the world's first underwater farm growing terrestrial plants. Fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown in these air-filled biospheres, anchored to the seafloor.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
Located off the coast of Noli, Italy, the garden (pictured here from above) is a research project to test the feasibility of growing crops underwater.
Located off the coast of Noli, Italy, the garden (pictured here from above) is a research project to test the feasibility of growing crops underwater.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
The dome-like greenhouses, roughly two meters in diameter, can hold anywhere from 70 to 100 plants each.
The dome-like greenhouses, roughly two meters in diameter, can hold anywhere from 70 to 100 plants each.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
Co-founder Luca Gamberini says that differences in the light spectrum and pressure alter how the plants grow compared to farming on land.
Co-founder Luca Gamberini says that differences in the light spectrum and pressure alter how the plants grow compared to farming on land.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
One study showed that basil grown underwater in Nemo's Garden had a higher level of antioxidants and essential oils. Once plants are ready for harvest, a diver will clip the vegetation, place it in bags, and float the bags to the surface.
One study showed that basil grown underwater in Nemo's Garden had a higher level of antioxidants and essential oils. Once plants are ready for harvest, a diver will clip the vegetation, place it in bags, and float the bags to the surface.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
The greenhouses are monitored through hi-tech sensors and cameras, which allow the team to change settings on land.
The greenhouses are monitored through hi-tech sensors and cameras, which allow the team to change settings on land.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
During the winter or at night, artificial light is used to help the plants grow, producing this glowing effect which can be seen from land.
During the winter or at night, artificial light is used to help the plants grow, producing this glowing effect which can be seen from land.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup
Gamberini says he hopes Nemo's Garden will help coastal regions, like Noli's (pictured), that could benefit from the additional growing space.
Gamberini says he hopes Nemo's Garden will help coastal regions, like Noli's (pictured), that could benefit from the additional growing space.
Courtesy OceanReefGroup