Underground Farming in London

photo: Growing Underground

Sounds crazy – but it’s already the reality: In London Richard Ballard and Steven Dring are growing organic vegetables in a bunker 33 metres underneath the earth. Their project’s name: Growing Underground.

Here is what they have to say:

Using the latest hydroponic systems and LED technology, our crops can be grown year-round in the perfect, pesticide-free environment that these forgotten tunnels provide.

Because we have total control over their environment, each tiny leaf tastes as amazing as the last and because they are unaffected by the weather and seasonal changes, we can reduce the need to import crops and drastically reduce the food miles for retailers and consumers.

We pride ourselves on being a carbon neutral company – our hydroponics system uses 70% less water than traditional open-field farming, and because all the nutrients are kept within the closed-loop system we run no risk of contributing to agricultural run-off.

Food miles account for a huge amount of wasted energy in the industry. That’s why our produce will travel no further than the M25.

Our leaves can be in your kitchen within 4 hours of being picked and packed. Initially we will be providing wholesale and local restaurants, and eventually the retail market.