Military Considers Gardens Aboard Subs

NATICK, Mass. (AP) — When a Navy submarine goes to sea on a monthslong voyage, the lettuce, tomatoes and other fresh fruits and vegetables on board run out in a week or two.

That forces the crew to rely on canned, frozen or dehydrated products.

But what if subs had their own gardens where food could be grown under lights?

The U.S. military is testing out the idea by growing plants with nutrient solution instead of soil inside a shipping container on dry land at a laboratory outside Boston.

One retired submarine skipper, Capt. Ronald Steed, says it would be really challenging to fit a garden on a submarine. But he says it would be “awesome” if it could be done.