HYDROPONIC GARDENING
Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in nutrient-rich water rather than soil, making it an interesting option for indoor gardening as Rochester’s cold weather creeps in. Without a soil base, the nutrients reach the plant’s roots directly.
With hydroponics comes the opportunity for a year-round harvest, and the ability to acclimate plants to soil in warmer weather. Some of the best crops suited for hydroponics are leafy greens and herbs, with produce like tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers also possible.
While there are many methods of hydroponics, the easiest to start with is the Kratky method, as it is inexpensive and doesn’t require electric water pumps like some alternatives. This method involves net pots (slotted plastic baskets) placed in a larger container. The slots provide the roots openings to reach the water. The net pots is suspended above the water through a large hole cut in the lid of the container. The container is filled with sterile water like distilled water. Add your choice of nutrients to the water and check the water’s pH. As plants prefer varying pH levels, make sure to double check each plant’s needs before grouping different plants in the same container. Place plants with enough space between the roots and the water so that a portion of the root stays in the air.
With time, you can have a thriving hydroponic garden full of produce perfect for a variety of meals. For tips on building your own hydroponic garden, visit trees.com/gardening-and-landscaping/the-gratky-method.
LUMI LEAVES
When walking through Rochester’s Highland Park, chances are good you’re not viewing the scenery the same way as artist Ben Ioffe. With plenty of flowers, hiking paths, and historical sights to enjoy, it’s only when the leaves start to change that you may notice what makes the park special for Ioffe.
“I started experimenting with leaves, collecting them, and putting them in books. At some point I kind of just decided that maybe I should start doing something around it. And then it just happened to be that I needed a gift for my wife and the only option I had at the moment was one of my leaves.”
Ioffe, known as “Lumi Leaves” online, has been posting his leaf carvings to Instagram since December of last year, when his work was first sold at Rochester’s Highland Park’s Lamberton Conservatory.
“I started with mandalas on leaves: a mandala, which is man-made, connecting with a leaf that is purely nature-made. I just kind of felt that was a good connection. So my first draft and my first original ideas were always putting mandalas on leaves.”
After gathering the leaves, he stores them for four to six weeks in a collection of books he received from a local law office in Palmyra—250 books in exchange for three of his carved leaves.
“I already used fifty of those books just for my [recent] trip to the Adirondacks. I am collecting leaves daily. I go to Highland Park with my golden retriever, Honey. Every time I walk there with her, I collect a big picnic basket of leaves. No joke.”
One of his latest projects has garnered him attention across both Instagram and Reddit. I came up with the idea to try to do a leaf hunt around Highland Park. I’ve done seven of those so far. Each one has been found either on the next day or the day after, and it’s been reported to me, which I’m very excited for. As soon as I posted the video link to Instagram, there was instantly a lot of, oh, where is this spot? Where is this location? And then there were people going there.”
Ioffe’s work includes portraits of pets, logos, and of course, mandalas. To view more of his work, visit instagram.com/lumi.leaves.
BLOOMFIELD FARM TO COMPETE AGAINST GLOBAL COMPETITORS
Finger Foods Farm’s work has helped strengthen the New York supply chain, connect regional farmers with consumers, and support organic farming. The Bloomfield family farm takes vegetables grown locally, both on the farm and others, and transforms them into a line of soups sold locally. The work has not only helped New York farms but caught the eye of the Grow-NY competition.
Grow-NY is a state-based contest with a mission to fund growth and innovation in the region. But that doesn’t mean the only revolutionaries invited are from New York. This year’s finalist selection includes nominees from Argentina, Canada, Kenya, and states nationwide. Their breakthroughs are focused on food, beverage, and agricultural innovation. Finger Foods Farm’s efforts in connecting consumers with local farmers is what earned the farm a nomination.
The competition culminates at the Grow-NY Summit in Canandaigua in mid-November. In the three months leading up to the competition, Finger Foods Farm received mentorship and developmental support to perfect their pitch for the competition’s judges. The farm will be judged on a number of criteria, including customer value, growth potential, innovation, and potential for job creation.
The winner brings home $1 million to invest in their company. Second and third place will both collect half a million, and fourth through seventh place will earn a quarter of a million dollars.
Ultimately, all of the winners will contribute to innovations both in agriculture and job creation in New York.
To learn more about Grow-NY, visit grow-ny.com.
To read more about Finger Foods Farm, visit fingerfoodsfarm.com.
KIRBY’S RECEIVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Kirby’s Farm Market, located in Clarkson, was recently added to the New York Historic Business Preservation Registry. The farm was built in 1970 and continues to serve as a staple in the community. Kirby’s is family-owned and run: The farm was founded by George and Bob Kirby and has been owned by George’s son, Tim, and daughter-in-law, Linda, since 1989. Tim and Linda’s daughter, Stacey Kirby Steward, oversees the farm’s online presence and events. Their son, Chad Kirby, has kept the market fresh by adding new fruits and vegetables. His wife, Mandy Kirby, works with the public at the farm. Kirby’s offers one-stop shopping for those hungry for seasonal fruits and vegetables, interested in exploring the farm’s greenhouses, and wanting to peruse the farm’s country gift shop. The farm received its designation on Tuesday, October 21 and was the first business in Orleans County to be recognized on the registry.
Sarah Zimmerman is currently attending SUNY Brockport for journalism and broadcasting with a concentration in media broadcasting and a double minor in marketing and multimedia journalism.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
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