Precision Behind the Produce: Inside Liberty Growers’ Hydroponic Farm

Growing fresh, local produce with precision hydroponics

Location: Katikati, Western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Growing system: NFT hydroponics with recirculating pump systems, raised NFT with poly tunnels and covered greenhouses
Crops: Leafy greens, herbs, microgreens and seasonal vegetables
Bluelab products used: Bluelab pH Pen, Bluelab Conductivity Pen, Bluelab Combo Meter
Integrated control: Autogrow pH and EC Minis with peristaltic pumps dosing A & B nutrients, pH up/down

About Liberty Growers

Liberty Growers is a family-run hydroponic operation based in New Zealand's North Island. Founded on a love of gardening and fresh food, the business has been growing high-quality salads, herbs, and seasonal produce for the local community since 2012.

The majority of Liberty Growers’ produce is sold directly to customers at farmers markets across the Bay of Plenty, as well as to local restaurants and retail outlets. Their focus is simple and uncompromising: fresh, nutrient-rich, great tasting produce grown responsibly and sold locally.

The business is owned by Malcolm and Debbie, with day-to-day farm management led by their daughter Rosie and her partner Sioeli, who oversee production.

They came into hydroponics without formal horticultural training, and built confidence by sticking to proven processes.

The growing setup

Liberty Growers runs a predominantly NFT based hydroponic system using recirculating pump setups. Crops are grown under cover in greenhouses and polytunnels, providing protection from the elements while maintaining tight control over the root-zone environment.

A central pump room houses the main nutrient management equipment, including automated pH and EC control and peristaltic pumps for dosing A and B nutrients, plus pH up and pH down. This setup automates dosing and helps maintain stable nutrient levels across the system. From there, nutrient solution is distributed through NFT channels to crops ranging from basil and herbs to leafy greens and microgreens.

To account for different crop needs, Liberty Growers runs two core nutrient recipes:

• One recipe tailored for basil and herbs
• A second recipe designed for leafy greens

This approach allows the team to fine-tune nutrition based on crop type while still keeping the system efficient and manageable.

In keeping with their strong focus on sustainability, Liberty Growers uses a mix of locally sourced sawdust and pumice as growing substrates. The sawdust is collected locally from a mill and placed into reusable plastic cups. Customers are encouraged to return the cups, which are then washed and reused, significantly reducing single-use plastic waste on the farm.

For seedling raising and early propagation, the team also uses rockwool cubes where it makes sense. This gives them a consistent start for young plants before they move into the main production areas.

The challenge: keeping nutrients consistent at scale

With a recirculating NFT system and multiple crop types, consistency is critical. Issues such as blockages in drip irrigation lines and changes in nutrient concentrations can quickly affect plant health and yield if left unnoticed.

While automation handles the bulk of nutrient control, Liberty Growers still needs reliable tools for regular spot checking throughout the system. Verifying pH and EC at different points helps identify blockages, confirm that nutrients are reaching plants evenly, and catch small issues before they become bigger problems.

The Bluelab solution

Liberty Growers uses Bluelab handheld meters alongside their automated control system to stay closely connected to what is happening in the nutrient solution.

• Bluelab pH Pen for quick, accurate pH checks at different points in the system
• Bluelab Conductivity Pen to spot check EC levels and confirm nutrient strength
• Bluelab Combo Meter for flexible monitoring when both pH and EC readings are needed

These tools are used regularly to verify automated readings, troubleshoot suspected blockages, and ensure nutrient recipes perform as expected across different growing areas.

The result: confidence, consistency and crop quality

By combining automated nutrient control with hands-on monitoring using Bluelab meters, Liberty Growers maintains a high level of confidence in their system.

Regular spot checking helps the team:

• Detect blockages or flow issues early
• Maintain consistent pH and EC across recirculating systems
• Fine-tune nutrient recipes for different crops
• Protect crop quality and yield

The result is fresh, vibrant produce that customers notice, whether at the farmers market or on a restaurant plate.

Growing for the local community

From leafy greens and herbs to edible flowers and house made products like pesto and sugar-free hot sauces, Liberty Growers continues to expand its range while staying true to its local roots.

With a practical, well-monitored hydroponic system and trusted measurement tools, the team is able to focus on what matters most: growing healthy plants and supplying their community with outstanding fresh produce.

Alongside their core hydroponic crops, Liberty Growers is also experimenting with taro grown in soil, drawing on traditional growing knowledge from Tonga.

Taro is not a typical crop for a Bay of Plenty market garden, but for many Pacific families it is a staple with deep cultural roots. The Liberty Growers team is trialling small plantings to understand what taro needs in their local conditions and how to grow it well, while staying true to its traditional cultivation.

It is a hands-on, learning-first project that reflects the farm’s curiosity and community mindset. The goal is to explore crops that connect with local customers, broaden their range, and keep the farm experimenting and evolving.

Bluelab tools help growers like Liberty Growers stay connected to what their plants need, every day.