Wednesday 27th September 2021 - Background research

 Background on Floating gardens:

According to Coe, Michael D (1964,90) a small semi-barbaric tribe commonly known today as the Aztecs were very poor and in search for a place to call home. They were forced to retreat to two small islands situated in the lake of Mexico after tribal fights against neighbours. Upon adaptation of the wetland soil condition, the Aztecs used a form of land reclamation and agriculture known as Chinampa system. Today, this type of system is referred to as the “Floating Gardens”. Chinampas are narrow elongated strips of land which are surrounded by a body of water. The gardens were separated by canals to allow canoes to sail between for harvesting, care taking and replantation of crops.

Coe, Charles H. (2000,44) quoted Abbe Francesco Clavigero, “They plait and twist

Willows and roots of many plants, or other materials, together, which are light, but capable of supporting the earth of the garden firmly united. Upon this foundation they lay the light bushes which float on the lake and over all the mud and dirt which they draw from the bottom on the same lake.” 

With accordance to the quote, the myth of the garden floating is not factual. As such, Aztecs’ tribe members would wave sticks together to form a large raft. The medium base used for planting was mud taken from the lake of Mexico and Willow trees or Sliver Maples were planted at the corners of the rafts to support the gardens. Thus, creating the illusion that the gardens are floating on the lake.

The Aztecs grew crops using this method as a source of food and revenue. The crops grown were corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers. The quality of these plants was high due to the daily application of water. The lake water was collected using dipping shaped gourd attached to an elongated swinging poles that were pivoted to distribute water to the raft. Thus, this technique eradicates the need for rain to supply water. 

 Hydroponics floating garden ideology originated from this type of agriculture, where the technique also doesn’t rely on rainwater, but man-made nutrients added to water, to supply the plants roots. A floating hydroponic garden is made using a rectangular frame lined with polyethylene plastic sheet and nutrient added water is filled into the frame. A Styrofoam sheet is used as a floating platform for the plants which will be added at measured distance in net pots to avoid crowding. This is rest on top the waterbed so that the roots have access to the nutrient water.

                                                             

Definition:

Gourd- the hard-shelled fruit of any of various plants, whose dried shell is used for bowls and other utensils.

Note:

With an increase in demand for these crops, the Aztec empire expanded throughout Mexico City.