Wholly Water Farms
From Our Farm to Your Table
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ISSUE #8 • AUGUST 2025
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A Note from Sara
Dear friends,
August always makes me think about water. We are in the thick of Florida's rainy season, with afternoon thunderstorms rolling through like clockwork, and yet water conservation remains one of the most important topics in agriculture. Every drop matters, whether you are managing a commercial operation or watering a few containers on your patio.
This month I have been reflecting on the economics of what we grow. A question I get all the time is whether microgreens are really worth the price. I wrote a detailed breakdown that I think will surprise some people. And because food should be fun too, I put together a collection of microgreen taco recipes that have become staples in our household. There is nothing quite like a pile of spicy radish microgreens on a fish taco.
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What We Have Been Writing About
Agriculture accounts for roughly 80 percent of water consumption in the United States, and in Florida, the tension between farming needs and aquifer health is real. This article explores practical conservation strategies ranging from simple rain barrel setups to sophisticated recirculating hydroponic systems. We also look at how microgreen growing uses a fraction of the water that field farming requires.
Read the full article
At first glance, microgreens seem expensive. But when you break down the nutritional density per dollar, the shelf life compared to mature greens, and the cost of growing your own at home, the picture changes considerably. I ran the numbers and compared microgreens to their full-grown counterparts across several varieties. The results genuinely surprised me.
Read the full breakdown
Tacos are the perfect canvas for microgreens. The crunch, the color, the concentrated flavor. This collection includes five taco recipes that feature microgreens as a starring ingredient, not just a garnish. From cilantro microgreen fish tacos to a red cabbage microgreen slaw that pairs beautifully with pulled pork, these are weeknight friendly and crowd tested.
Get the recipes
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Seasonal Growing Tip
Setting Up Drip Irrigation for Fall Garden Prep
August is the perfect time to install drip irrigation before the fall planting rush. A basic drip system for a raised bed garden costs under fifty dollars and can reduce water usage by 30 to 50 percent compared to overhead sprinklers. Start with a timer connected to your outdoor spigot, run a main line of half-inch tubing along your beds, and add quarter-inch emitter lines spaced six to twelve inches apart depending on your crops.
The beauty of setting this up now is that by the time you are planting cool-season crops in September and October, your irrigation is already dialed in. Test it before planting, check for clogged emitters, and adjust your timer for early morning watering. Your fall garden will thank you.
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Florida Agriculture Spotlight
Florida Water Star Certification Program
One program that deserves more attention is Florida Water Star, a voluntary certification developed by the St. Johns River Water Management District. While it was originally designed for residential and commercial landscapes, many of its principles apply directly to small farms and home gardens. The program promotes efficient irrigation design, appropriate plant selection, and soil health practices that reduce runoff and conserve water. Properties that earn certification consistently use 30 to 50 percent less water for irrigation. For those of us in agriculture, the program offers a useful framework for evaluating our own water practices. I have been using several of their guidelines to refine our irrigation protocols at Wholly Water Farms, and the results have been measurable.
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Quick FAQ
Q: How much water do microgreens need?
A: Surprisingly little. A standard 10-by-20-inch tray of microgreens uses roughly one to two cups of water over its entire growing cycle, which is typically seven to fourteen days. Compare that to a head of lettuce grown in the field, which can require 15 or more gallons of water over its growing period. The key with microgreens is consistent, light moisture rather than heavy watering. Bottom watering is ideal because it delivers water directly to the roots and avoids the mold problems that come with keeping the leaf surface wet. A spray bottle works fine for the first few days after seeding, then switch to bottom watering once the roots establish.
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Be thoughtful with your water and generous with your tacos. Until next month.
With gratitude,
Sara Johnson
President, Wholly Water Farms, Inc.
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Wholly Water Farms, Inc. • Florida
whollywaterfarms.com
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