Expanding Your Expertise: Recommended Resources
We’re here to teach you the specifics of building and running a successful iAVs. However, like any rewarding project, it draws upon foundational skills. Think of iAVs as integrating two core areas: horticulture (the vast majority) and aquaculture.
While we cover everything unique to iAVs, delving deep into general plant science or fish husbandry is beyond our scope – and thankfully, unnecessary! Excellent, detailed information on these subjects is widely available. This curated list of resources will point you to reliable sources to build or refresh your knowledge in these key areas, empowering you on your iAVs journey.
We also strongly encourage our community members to help each other out. If you discover other valuable resources (especially free ones!), please share any recommendations you have with fellow iAVs enthusiasts!
Recommended Reading
- Greenhouse Operations & Management – Paul V. Nelson
- Soil Microbiology & Health – Elder A. Paul
- Teaming With Microbes
- Teaming With Nutrients
- Knotts Handbook for Vegetable Growers
- Growing Great Tomatoes by Robert Pavlis
- Seed Germination Theory and Practice, by Dr. Norman C. Deno
- Botany Primer
- The Science of Plants
- Introduction to Soil Science
- From Growing to Biology
- Square Meter Gardening – https://theswissbay.ch/pdf/Books/Survival/Farming,%20Animalraising,%20Homesteading/Farming+gardening/Gardening/square%20foot%20gardening/All%20New%20Square%20Foot%20Gardening.pdf
- Constructing Shade Structures: Small Area Vegetable and Fruit Production – https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2930&context=extension_curall
- Greenhouse Manual – An Introduction for Educators – https://www.usbg.gov/sites/default/files/usbg-greenhouse_manual.pdf
- Propagating Crops from Seed, and Greenhouse Management – https://agroecology.ucsc.edu/about/publications/Teaching-Organic-Farming/PDF-downloads/1.3-propagation.pdf
- Greenhouse Cucumber Production – https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1201727/Cucumber-book-2019_LOW_RES.pdf
- Improving greenhouse systems and production practices – https://ausveg.com.au/app/data/technical-insights/docs/VG07145.pdf
- Greenhouse Vegetable Production – https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR556.pdf
- Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners – https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/9/24091/files/2016/10/NRAES-137_Web-1eiwt4v.pdf
- DIY Greenhouse Instruction Manuals – https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/instruction-manuals
YouTube
- Scientific Enquiry – https://youtu.be/Z-OBmSq8lU4
- Soil Bulk Density – https://youtu.be/2UTwNJqmv0w
- Introduction to Silicate Minerals – https://youtu.be/mqXUytwB3uQ
- Soil & Water – https://youtu.be/m4iHBy5PNY4
- Water Movement in Soil – https://youtu.be/ego2FkuQwxc
Water Testing
- Mastering Freshwater Aquarium Ecosystems – (Lots of Ads, need a better version) http://www.aquaworldaquarium.com/ebooks/MFAE/004_WaterTesting.html
- Water Quality Management for Recirculating Aquaculture – (Download) https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/14271.pdf
- Theory and Practice of pH Measurement (Advanced Guide) – https://www.emerson.com/documents/automation/manual-theory-practice-of-ph-measurement-en-70736.pdf
- Guide to pH Analysis (Advanced) – https://hannainst.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/guide-to-ph-analysis-for-lab-ebook.pdf
Websites
- Aquarium Science – https://aquariumscience.org/
- Square Meter Gardening – http://www.terraperma.com.au/uploads/1/9/1/3/19138605/terra_perma_-_sfg_workshop_notes_final_2.pdf