Backyard Hydroponic Gardening

 

There is a move towards growing hydroponic gardens.  And I myself find this is an area I want to explore and to add to my gardening experiences.

Hydroponically grown foods taste better and are high in nutrients. I have found hydroponic tomatoes are superior tomatoes particularly in the winter months. You can also grow more plants in a small space than with regular gardening so this style of gardening in perfect for apartment cities and limited space.

There are two types of indoor hydroponic gardens: an active hydroponic area and a passive one.

Active hydroponic systems pass a nutrient solution over the plant roots. To set up such a garden you will need a large sized planting medium like vermiculite, perlite and pea gravel. To make a passive indoor hydroponic system passively you will be providing a system that uses a wick or capillary system to feed your plants. The wick, which works like a kerosene lamp, sucks your nutrient solution via its reservoir, to the root system of the plant. Sand, peat moss or sawdust is the usual medium used passive hydroponics.

Hydroponic gardening is quite easy to begin. You need a lot of natural light for the best results. A sunroom or greenhouse is ideal. And if you use solar heating you will establish an econ friendly and cheap growing environment.

Easy Hydroponics

The first thing to do when learning how to make an indoor hydroponic garden is to decide exactly what you want to grow. Ask yourself these questions. How many of each plant you want.

How much area will you need to grow your desired quantity of plants? Use the Internet or a hydroponic garden book to determine spacing.

You will need plastic piping and 4 inch diameter pots. Shade cloth is helpful for the first month, particularly if the growing climate is very warm. Mix fertilizer and water to a strength of 20 to 24 CF. If this is your first attempt at hydroponics have a reliable source of information available for plant mixes. The resulting pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5 for your plants.

Rinse the seedlings to remove any dirt before planting them. And don’t be too generous with nutrients. Hydroponic plants can cope with a low supply of nutrients but can die if you give them too much. My rule of thumb when beginning is to err on the low side.

Cubed chopped rockwool or fired clay are recommended as growing mediums but you can use chopped rockwool, rockwool slabs, rockwool blocks or cubes or fired clay and rockwool and expect good results form your hydroponic garden.

I look for the supplies I need from friends and as salvaged products. This would include pots, piping, cloth and growing materials. It cuts down of the expense of setting up your first garden.

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Planting your hydroponic plants

• Plant the seedlings in the hydroponic solution.
• Check the water daily if you want to successfully learn how to make an indoor hydroponic system. This ensures the nutrient to water ratio is right.
• Remember that Water evaporates which is why you have to keep an eye on it. Hydroponic gardening is not for you if you can’t check your water ratio frequently.
• Your hydroponic plants will grow for 3 to 5 months. Overall you will not have many problems if you set the garden up correctly but you will have to watch out for root rot and pests.
• You will know when you plants are ready to harvest. This part of gardening remains the same.

It can be expensive to set up an indoor hydroponic system the first time but the results are well worth it. You have fresh healthy vegetables and plants available all year long. You may even want to share or sell the extra crops and plants to friends and neighbors