FAQ

If when reading our FAQ page you see highlighted words in green or blue, they are links to more information. Those links will take you to our Tower Garden website. You can order our towers and supplies there.

Growing Vertical Microgreens are Certified Naturally Grown

CNG farmers don’t use any synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. Produce must be grown without synthetic inputs or genetically modified seeds.

Is your program for farmers who are almost organic, but don’t qualify for the USDA Organic Certification?

No! CNG participation requires a full commitment to robust organic practices. Our standards for produce and livestock certification are based on the standards of the National Organic Program. We developed from scratch our standards for Apiary certification, based on organic principles, and we're currently developing our own certification standards for mushrooms and aquaponics production. 

Why create a whole separate program?

Certified Naturally Grown provides a much-needed complement to the National Organic program. While the NOP is an important program that primarily serves medium and large-scale agricultural operations, CNG is tailored for direct-market farmers producing food for their local communities. These farmers often find the NOP’s heavier paperwork requirements are not a good fit for their small-scale operations. CNG enables them to get credit for their practices while offering accountability to their customers. Some CNG farmers become certified organic after a few years with CNG, and we think that’s just super.

So how is CNG different than Certified Organic?

CNG is a private non-profit organization that's not affiliated with the USDA's National Organic Program. CNG's certification approach is based on the participatory guarantee system (PGS) model that relies on peer reviews in which inspections are typically carried out by other farmers. The PGS model promotes farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing about best practices and fosters local networks that strengthen the farming community. This model minimizes paperwork and keeps certification dues affordable. 

Another difference is that Certified Naturally Grown’s certification process is transparent and open to the public. Every CNG producer has a profile on the website. On it you will find the information they submitted in their application, as well as scanned images of their inspection reports and signed declaration.

What is Aeroponics?

Aeroponics—the technology Tower Garden uses—is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment, without the use of soil. It is the most effective and efficient way to provide plants with the necessary nutrients, hydration and oxygen.

Are Tower Gardens Organic?

Because soil is a prerequisite for organic growing, and aeroponic systems don’t use soil, Tower Garden can’t be classified as organic. But it can be equally as safe and healthy—and more efficient.

Organic gardening requires organisms in the soil to convert “organic” material into minerals plants can use. But instead of growing plants in soil, Tower Garden uses water, oxygen and pure, natural minerals to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots.

The result is higher growth rates and greater yields than resource-intensive organic methods can achieve. And remember, since you’re growing the plants, you control the use of herbicides and pesticides.

So you could say Tower Garden is better than organic, because you get the same results (and more)—without the dirt.

Safe, compact and soilless, Tower Garden makes a great classroom growing system. Many schools already use Tower Gardens to engage students and bring lesson plans alive. While students witness first-hand how plants grow, they also learn the importance of sustainability, healthy eating and giving back to the community.

That’s why we’ve developed Tower Garden lesson plans and other teaching materials! Learn more about our school resources »