Are you interested in hydroponics or growing from home but don’t know where to start? Do you want to make your own system by up-cycling materials from your home?
Growing hydroponically at home has lots of benefits: a regular supply of fresh, nutritious produce will certainly save you from making lots of trips to the supermarket!
Hydroponics is a branch of hydroculture in which plants are grown in an aquatic-based environment or soilless medium.
This type of hydroculture allows plant roots to be in direct contact with a nutrient solution and also have oxygen.
What is a hydroponic system?
There are many different types of hydroponic systems that can meet the individual needs of plants. However, each system has to have three essential ingredients for plant growth.
These are oxygen, water/moisture, and nutrients. Hydroponics systems can be classified into the following two categories.
Below are the 2 most common methods used in hydroponics.
1. The Kratky Method.
2. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
The Dutch Bucket System
Dutch Bucket System is an easy irrigation system typically for large vining plants where several containers are connected to nourish and hydrate the plant.
In an incredibly efficient way, the process comes in handy for home growers as well as commercial gardeners, dealing with heavy feeder foliage.
The purpose of a hydroponic Dutch bucket is to effectively irrigate heavy feeder plants such as vining vegetables and fruits. This makes it not only nutrient efficient but also reduces waste.
It is for these reasons that the system is considered to be a fragmented media beds system as it breaks the media down into smaller units which are the buckets. Each of the units or buckets grows independently despite using shared water and nutrient resources.
Related page: "Grow Your Own Food with Hydroponics
Does Hydroponics Need Sunlight?
Sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis, which is essentially the digestive process used by plants.
First, plants absorb nutrients and water through their roots. Plants also absorb carbon dioxide through the leaves. However, plants need the energy to convert nutrients and water into energy.
When plants receive sunlight, the leaves produce a chemical called chlorophyll. When water, carbon dioxide, and chlorophyll mix with sunlight, the plant produces oxygen and glucose. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere while the plant uses glucose as energy.
A hydroponics system doesn’t need natural sunlight if you use suitable grow lights. Light is one of the most essential factors for plant growth. All plants need light to promote photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is how plants convert light, water, and oxygen into energy. Without light, plants would not grow, bloom, or produce seeds.
Ready-made Hydroponic Kits
If you don’t have the time, patience, or confidence to build your own DIY hydroponic grow system, there are other options available on the market just for you.
Kitchen Herb Garden with Grow Lights
This indoor garden germination kit is designed with a water circulation system, which increases oxygen flow in the roots.
Grow up to 12 plants up to 23.6 inches tall at the same time.
It provides 2 lighting modes each suitable for different stages of germination, flowering, and fruiting.
The height of the grow light is adjustable to adapt to your crop's different growth stages, helping them absorb just sufficient amount of light during each growth stage.
Store Links:
Layered NFT System
No experience is needed & easy to take care of. This hydroponic indoor or outdoor grow system is designed for fast, maximum-convenience vegetable gardening.
Store Links:
How to Grow Crops Hydroponically - Steps by Step
You can learn how to make a hydroponic garden by following the steps below.
Decide what you want to grow:
You will need to decide what to grow and then buy the hydroponic seeds. Buying seeds will let you be in full control of what to grow. You can also decide to buy seedlings from a hardware or plant store.
Start your seeds:
After deciding how many of each plant you want to grow you will need to start your seeds. Planting seeds is a great way to start plants indoors for your garden. Using seed trays helps your plants grow easily and with minimal effort getting them ready for easy transplant. By getting your seeds ready for transplant, you’ll have seedlings ready to go outside in no time!
Using a seed trays also allows the seeds to grow without interfering with one another. Opt for cell trays that have drainage holes at the bottom if you can. They can be purchased at any gardening store.
Choose a location:
You should choose the location of your hydroponic farm and estimate the size needed. You should consider the type of seeds you are planting and the recommended spacing.
Prepare nutrient solution:
Using water and best hydroponic nutrients or fertilizers make up a hydroponic solution to the recommended pH.
For more details on how to prepare plant nutrient solution, read our instructions here. or follow the link below:
Planting your hydroponic seedlings:
After around 2 weeks, it is time to plant your seedlings. Carefully take them out of their pots and gently wash away the soil from the roots. You may use the same coco peat or peat moss to transfer the seedlings or use Rockwool or seedling sponge to maintain the cleanliness of your water reservoir. You don't have to wash to roots if you choose the 1st option.
Hydroponics Growing medium:
Place the seedlings you have cleaned into the growing medium. You can use plastic netpots or styrocups at this stage.
Place the net pots with the transplanted seeds into your hydroponics system
Monitoring your hydroponic plants:
Check on the solution daily and control the chemical balance of water-to-nutrient since the water usually evaporates.
Growth of your plants:
Watch and wait for your hydroponic plants to grow. You should be sure o keep pests away and watch for root rot.
Harvest your grow:
Once your plants are ready you can harvest them.
Related page: "Grow Your Own Food with Hydroponics
