VEGETABLES GROW IN ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28690, 13 September 1958, Page 4

VEGETABLES GROW IN ANTARCTIC

U.S. Powerhouse Garden

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SCOTT BASE, Sept. 10. Tomatoes, radishes, peas, and beans are growing in the Antarctic. The garden is located in the powerhouse of the United States naval air group at MeMurdo Sound, and the gardener is James W. Brown, the chief electrician of the base.

The soil for the garden came from Connecticut with Operation Deep Freeze I. Despite being subjected to temperatures 60 degrees below zero for two consecutive winters, weeds were the first plants to appear after the garden was formed and the soil heated.

The garden is built in boxes on top of the shower cubicles in the powerhouse. The moisture from the showers compensates for the extreme dryness of the Antarctic air and provides sufficient humidity to sustain plant life. Infra-red lamps have been installed to provide the necessary warmth to the soil and plants. These lamps are switched on for 12 hours, then off for 12 hours, to simulate the action of sunlight Brown is very pleased with the way his plants are growing. If successful, this small garden, which was started as a hobby, may be the forerunner of vegetable patches at all bases in the Antarctic, where the lack of fresh vegetables for long periods is a problem.