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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Gardener’s Oasis helps you grow vegetables inside

Pat Veach and his wife, Jaydee, have opened Gardener’s Oasis, an indoor gardening and hydroponic supply store, at 9315 E. Trent Ave. in Millwood. They plan to teach classes on the technique of gardening without dirt. Veach will also come into your home and help with the design and setup or your hydroponic garden. (J. BART RAYNIAK / The Spokesman-Review)
Juli Bergstrom-Wasson
Pat Veach and his wife, Jaydee, have opened Gardener’s Oasis, an indoor gardening and hydroponic supply store, at 9315 E. Trent Ave. in Millwood. They plan to teach classes on the technique of gardening without dirt. Veach will also come into your home and help with the design and setup or your hydroponic garden. (J. BART RAYNIAK / The Spokesman-Review)

A Newman Lake gardening enthusiast wants to bring indoor hydroponics into the mainstream.

“We’re trying to get people to grow indoor vegetables year-round,” said Pat Veach, who recently opened Gardener’s Oasis with his wife, Jaydee. “Hydroponics is gardening without dirt.”

The small shop along Trent Avenue just east of Argonne Road in Millwood is filled with materials and nutrients for hydroponic systems large and small. Veach says kits range from countertop herb gardens to larger system set-ups the size of a closet or to fill a basement. Systems can include the growing containers, nutrients, lighting systems, pumps, and dehumidifier venting systems.

“You can get as technical as you want,” said Veach of the growing environment. “We also have the starter kit for those who want to begin at the basics.”

A starter kit includes the set up for seeds with the nutrient system and lighting and costs about $100. Veach, who has one employee, plans to start “how-to” classes for beginners as well.

Although hydroponic systems have become popular among marijuana growers, botanists have used hydroponics since the 19th century after discovering how efficiently plants absorb essential mineral nutrients when added directly to the water-only growing environment.

Veach, formerly a delivery driver who decided to go into business for himself as the possibility of unemployment loomed, says there are many advantages to growing your own food: mainly, knowing what goes into it and picking it fresh.

While dirt still can be used for such indoor gardening, essentials to the hydroponic system include mineral nutrient solutions in water where the root systems of plants can be grown directly in the water solution or in mediums that hold the plantings such as gravel or a mineral wool. Veach recently planted seeds and plans to have a large tomato and veggie hydroponic garden on display soon.

Gardener’s Oasis is a collection station for Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest and currently offers $1 off purchases when customers bring a canned food item.

Are you opening a new business in the Spokane Valley? Is your business expanding, moving or remodeling? Are you wondering about that new store that has opened in your neighborhood? Send an e-mail to Juli Wasson at juliwasson@gmail.com or contact us by fax at 927-2175 or by writing to Business Notebook, Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216.