How To Start A Hydroponic Garden
Have you ever thought about starting a garden to help feed your family but didn’t like the idea of digging in the dirt, dealing with the seasons, and the back breaking work of tending a garden?
The answer? Hydroponics.
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Growing plants without soil is possible with hydroponics. This is a method of planting in a liquid and nutrient-solution, without soil. It’s actually the process of growing plants in liquid, sand, or gravel. You’ll need the extra nutrients, but the one thing you won’t need is the soil.
Instead of using earth to give the plants the nutrients and sustenance that they need, plants collect it all directly from the hydroponic system. This method allows the plant’s roots to have direct contact with the oxygen and nutrients it needs, making it speedier and more efficient for the plant to grow.
If it’s your first time to try this method, hydroponics can be confusing. Setting up a hydroponic garden can can be done on a small or large scale. From elaborate systems to table top Aeroponic herb gardens.
The hydroponic system doesn’t have to be complex. You can set one up in your home, using your creativity and the space you have! But a little help will go a long way, right?
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If you’re new to hydroponics and you want to give it a try but you don’t know how to start, here are the things that you’ll need to get started growing hydroponically.
All I Need Is Water, Right?
When we begin to learn how to start a hydroponic garden, the first thing we might think is we just need water, right? Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in a soil less solution. However, a lot of people think that the soil less solution is water.
Yes, you can use water, but it doesn’t have to always be. You can use any nutrient solution or use a growing medium made from sand or perlite and even gravel — anything as long as it’s not the traditional soil or potting mix.
Is It Complicated?
Growing hydroponically is not complicated. Believe it or not, it is so simple that even a small child can do it.
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What You Need To Get Started
Starter Hydroponic Kit
If you want an easier way to getting started, you can use a starter hydroponic system.
A starter hydroponic kit contains everything you need to get started. Some kits use EBB while there are others that use the flow method.
Here are a few kits to help you get started:
Giraffe-X Indoor Hydroponics Growing System Kit
Aunifun Hydroponics Grower Kit DIY Self Watering Indoor Hydroponics Kit
YaeTek Hydroponics Grower Kit DIY Self Watering Indoor Hydroponics Kit
KVMV Indoor Hydroponics Grower Kit
Big Smart Indoor Hydroponics Growing System
If you opt to go DIY and make your own hydroponics system, the process is easy. too. You”ll need the following parts and supplies:
Opaque Container With Lid
The container should be opaque and hold up to 18 gallons of liquid. You can use an aquarium tank or a plastic bin.
Muscle Rack 5-Gallon Heavy Duty Plastic Bin
Sterilite 12-Gallon Latch And Carry Bin With Lid
IRIS USA 4-Pack Utility Plastic Bin With Gray Lid
Aqueon 10-Gallon Black Aquarium
Seapora 15-Gallon Standard Aquarium
Mesh Pots
The mesh pot you need depends on what you are growing and the size of the container you are using.
xGarden 50 Pack Lightweight Economy Net Pot Cups
Sntieecr 50 Pack -Inch and 3-Inch Net Cups
Oak Leaf 25-Pack 3-Inch Hydroponic Cups
Awpeye 40-Pack 2-Inch and 3-Inch Net Cups
Jovitec 60-Piece 3-Inch Net Cups
Rockwool Growcube
When we think about how to start a hydroponic garden we don’t think about all these things, but they are definitely essential in getting started. The Rockwool Growcube is ideal for top irrigation. It performs well under EBB and flood applications.
This is also an ideal substrate for growing many crops. But before you use it, it is recommended that the rock wool be conditioned by soaking it for eight hours in a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and then rinsing it with pH 7.0 water.
Grodan 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 1.5″ Mini Blocks Grow Media Rockwool Stonewool Cubes
Stacky Cubes Rockwool Grow Cubes
Grodan Wrapped Mini Blocks
The Hydroponic City 1-Inch Rockwool Starter Plugs
Grodan 1″ x 1″ Starter Plug Rockwool Hydroponic Grow Media
Growing Solution
If you are managing a hydroponic garden, you have two options for the growing solution: You can mix your own at home or you can buy a premixed nutrient solution.
A premixed nutrient solution is a quick fix that works well. Mixing your own at home allows you to fine-tune the level of nutrients that the plant needs plus it can help you save a ton of money in the long run.
Pure Produce Hydroponic Nutrient Solution
OceanSolution 2-0-3 Plant Food
Cultured Solutions UC Roots Gallon
Cutting Edge Solutions Micro 1 Gallon
General Hydroponics FloraGro Liquid Plant Growth
Aquarium Air Pump
Using an air pump can make a big difference in your growing success. It aerates the nutrient reservoir and increases the supply of oxygen to the plant’s roots.
An air pump also keeps the solution evenly blended and ensures that the minerals are properly dissolved to improve the nutrient availability to the plants. Plus, it discourages the growth of algae.
Hygger Quiet Mini Air Pump
Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump Dual Outlet with Accessories
Upettools Aquarium Air Pump
Uniclife Aquarium Air Pump Quiet10 with Accessories
Aquaneat Aquarium Air Pump
Air Stone
If you are using an air pump, you need to have an air stone too. This helps create the tiny bubbles that provide oxygen to the plants.
Air stones are made of a porous material like volcanic rock and come in different sizes and shapes. The size and shape of the air stone you’ll use depends on the dimensions of the container and the airflow rate of the pump.
Pawfly 1.6″ Air Stone Bubble
VIVOHOME 4 x 2 Inch Air Stones
CO RODE Aquarium Aerator Air Stones
Aquaneat 4 x 2 Inch Air Stone
Yueton Cylinder Aquarium Air Stones
Lighting
Having a hydroponic light system can be quite expensive, but you can make your own.
If you are growing bushy or leafy plants like greens or herbs, you can use HID or High-Intensity Discharge lighting. This requires a ballast and a bulb, as well as the reflector and the socket.
You can also use a T5 High output fluorescent bulb that blends the light spectrum. If you have smaller seedlings or cuttings, you can use a regular T12 fluorescent bulb.
Giixer 1000W LED Grow Light
EnjoYield 600W LED Grow Light
ACKE LED Grow Lights
Shengsite 50W Grow Light
Elaine LED Grow Light
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How to start a hydroponic garden may look and sound complicated, but it’s really not. It can be the perfect solution for people with shorter growing seasons, and people who have trouble maintaining a traditional garden with weeding, tilling, and bending over to tend to the garden.
Have you grown hydroponically? If so, share your tips and tricks with us in the comments below.
