‘Green’ businesses to converge on Newport expo

Alan Smith realized in 2013 that he didn’t have enough room for a garden at his Newport Beach home.

Because of the space limitations, the avid gardener decided to build himself a hydroponic vertical planter. Hydroponics is a method of growing that doesn’t require soil.

The reaction to his creation was so positive that Smith decided to start a business — Aloha Urban Farming — to provide other gardening enthusiasts another option for planting, he said.

A wide variety of plants, including vegetables and flowers, can be grown in Smith’s Vertical Victory gardens, with the bonus that they use up to 90% less water than other planting methods, he said.

“It’s taken us a long time to get to this point, but we’re really excited,” Smith said.

Aloha Urban Farming will be one of several “green” businesses in Orange County that will get a chance to take root Saturday at the inaugural Green on the Green Newport Beach Eco Expo. The event, being presented by the city and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Civic Green, 100 Civic Center Drive.

Newport Beach’s proximity to the ocean and residents’ commitment to environmental causes make the city an ideal place to host an event focusing on environmentally friendly practices, said chamber President Steve Rosansky.

“We have been trying to find a way to get the environmental and business community more in tune with one another,” he said. “A lot of businesses are looking to get into the green space, promoting sustainability.”

Businesses focusing on electric bikes, eco-friendly alternatives to cardboard boxes and solar energy installation — and even a “green” dental practice — will set up booths. The city’s Interactive Sealife Outreach Pod will enable children to touch live sea creatures.

The expo also will feature six electric or hybrid vehicles as well as free electronics recycling and document shredding.

Admission and parking are free.

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For the Record: The original version of this story left out the day of the event, which is Saturday.