Whether you want to start a small vegetable garden at home or consider a large farm, hydroponic gardening offers a new, nutrient-dense, pesticide-free way to grow in a rapidly changing world. Because hydroponic gardening relies on water and nutrients to grow plants, not soil, a specific source.
Hydroponics has the added advantage of being able to be used in areas previously reserved for gardeners and farmers, such as small plots and areas of poor soil quality. Also, less water is typically used in gardening and agriculture. There are many types of hydroponic gardening, and it is available to anyone who wants to grow their own food year-round.
Clemson University's hydroponic gardens are part of the future of agriculture, he said. "With limited space and limited resources, especially water, hydroponics can supplement food grown in previously unsustainable agricultural areas and provide fresh food to people in need."
Whether you're interested in the easiest foods to grow at home or want to start a garden or vegetable garden , you can rest assured that you can grow your own food, no matter where you have the space. Adopt some of these hydroponic gardens as a way to ensure a fresh and constant supply of sustainable food.
What is a hydroponic garden?
Because hydroponic gardening uses water instead of soil, plants can be grown year-round in less space than traditional soil-based gardens. This means that even if you live in a small apartment or don't have much outdoor space, you can still grow fresh foods like vegetables and herbs. Plants grown hydroponically usually grow faster, produce higher yields, and use less water than plants grown in soil. You can buy a ready-made hydroponic garden or build your own.
How does a hydroponic garden work?
Plants need sunlight, water and nutrients to grow. Traditionally, plants get their nutrients from the soil, but "the foundation of hydroponics is growing food in nutrient-rich water," says Truck Farms CEO Rick Vanzura. A hydroponic system can be set up to ensure that the plant receives the right water, nutrients, light and pH levels.
In a hydroponic system, the roots are placed directly in water with dissolved nutrients, or in a growing medium such as clay pebbles, perlite, peat or coconut. If you are familiar with organic foods, you can grow and harvest them yourself in a hydroponic garden.
What types of plants can be grown hydroponically?
A variety of foods can be grown in hydroponic gardening. Microgreens are one of the easiest plants to grow. "Microgreens are proven and less expensive, which makes them a great trial-and-error product," says Vanzura.
Similar to what you might grow in a hanging garden, "leafy greens and lettuce are the most popular vegetables to grow hydroponically," says Beecher. However, complex systems can produce fruit and vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.", he says.
You need to think about which plants can grow well in a small space and not be too heavy. "Hydroponic farms generally produce food-dense products, and it's not that difficult to grow vertically," says Vanzura. However, if you want to plant root vegetables such as beans, potatoes or kohlrabi, you must plant them in the ground. Beecher explains that growing root vegetables in a hydroponic environment is nearly impossible, although Vanzura says he can grow radishes and beets on his hydroponic farm.
What are the benefits of hydroponic gardening?
In addition to growing food without soil and in a small space, hydroponic gardening helps solve social and environmental problems by making it a sustainable food source.
In food deserts where people do not have access to fresh vegetables or fruits, a hydroponic garden or farm can be the solution. Hydroponic gardens "can bring fresh produce home to food deserts and local communities in an affordable and environmentally friendly way," says Vanzura. "They could offset the rising cost of food and farmland and create a better way to grow some of our staple crops."
Vanzura also lists other benefits. “Hydroponic plants grow 40% to 50% faster and produce 30% more than soil-grown plants; ".
What are the disadvantages of hydroponic gardening?
Like most things, hydroponic gardening has its downsides. On the one hand, hydroponic gardening requires constant maintenance to ensure that the plants get enough nutrients and adequate water. Beecher explains that hydroponic systems can be complicated and expensive. There are also limits to what grows well, so you can't grow everything in the sun. For example, if you want to be successful in growing potatoes or other vegetables, you need to grow them in an in-ground garden. You may not be able to grow fruit trees indoors. Other disadvantages, Beecher said, include the risk of airborne diseases and the high energy consumption required to run the system.
How to build a hydroponic garden?
You can create a variety of hydroponic gardens. "For beginners, I prefer deep-water culture, which can be done in a tank or container with a float," says Beecher. "For a hydroponic system, the projects are relatively easy to set up and inexpensive to start up."
If you are more experienced or want a creative project, you may want to consider a different system. "Those who are just starting out but want something more advanced should look into drop and horizontal flows," says Vanzura. "This type of arrangement is great for microgreens and gives you more freedom to experiment with local ingredients compared to compact systems."
Before purchasing consumables, consider the following systems:
fuse system
The Wick System is the simplest and easiest to install system with storage, grow trays and wicks. In this system, the plants are placed in the growing medium, such as perlite or a soilless mix, with a container underneath. A metal wire or plug connects the water nutrient solution to the plant's roots.
Plants that need a lot of water, like leafy greens or tomatoes, don't do well with this system because they don't provide liquid nutrients quickly enough. This system works well for plants and microgreens.
what do you need
Step by step instructions.
- Fill the water tank with liquid nutrient solution.
- Place a couple of ropes or cages at the bottom of the grow box and connect them to the water tank.
- Place the bud or plant on top of the container. When the plant is thirsty or ready, the dragonfly transports the aqueous nutrient solution directly to the roots.
deep water culture system
The deep water grow system is one of the most popular and easy to use hydroponic systems. Plant roots penetrate carbonated water and thus receive sufficient water, nutrients and oxygen. This system requires an air pump and air stone to oxygenate the water.
what do you need
Step by step instructions.
- Place the water and nutrients in an airtight container or container and fill to a depth of at least 12 inches.
- Place the air stone in the water and connect it to the air pump near (but not inside) the water tank. The pump helps to aerate the water so that the roots have enough oxygen.
- Cut your foam to create a floating grow raft that sits about 1 inch below the container or reservoir. Cut holes in the polystyrene, leaving enough space between them for the plant part to grow through.
- Next, place your plants in mesh pots (also called mesh pots) and then insert the mesh pots through the holes in the Styrofoam. In mesh pots, plant roots can grow from the bottom and sides, making food and oxygen easier and better supplied. It is necessary to place the roots of the plant in the water of the tank. If they don't get enough oxygen, the roots can sink.
commuting
This system is more technical and complex, but offers more flexibility. Depending on the needs of the plant, the growth cycle and the air temperature, the reservoir works by periodically flooding and draining. During floods, oxygenated water flows through the system, providing moisture and nutrients to the plants. Upon discharge, the aqueous solution is returned to the container for reuse. A pump is required to flood and empty the grow tray.
what do you need
Step by step instructions.
- Place the water tank directly under the overflow container. Place your seedlings in pots with proper drainage holes and make sure the pots are higher than the overflow tray.
- Use the fill hose and drain hose to connect the water tank to the overflow tank. The other end of the filling tube is connected to a submersible pump which allows you to set the timer and control the water level. The flood gate relies on gravity to return water to the flood reservoir.
- Install a submersible pump and use a timer to determine how often you water and drain your plants.
Should you build or buy a system?
The decision to build or buy a hydroponic garden system comes down to personal preference, patience and time. You can spend time on your boat or you can choose to buy a ready-made hydroponic garden. If you're tech savvy or just looking for a project, building your own hydroponic system can be fun, useful, and a little less expensive than buying a ready-made system.
If you want to start growing right away and see if a hydroponic garden is right for you, choose a prepackaged system. "Hydroponic counter systems are a good starting point for testing the effects of light and water on hydroponically grown plants," says Vanzura. “These systems are designed for beginners and usually include additional nutrients. This is a good way to understand what nutrients are needed to grow plants, why they are needed and at what stages.'
Tips for caring for your hydroponic garden
Beecher advises patience and a willingness to learn from mistakes before committing to hydroponics. Beecher and Vanzura offer additional tips for hydroponic gardening.
- "One of the most important things you can do to maintain a hydroponic system is to change the water regularly," says Vanzura.
- "It's also important to apply EC and pH sensor readings to ensure your nutrients and pH are being applied correctly," says Vanzura.
- "Always gather the information you need before going inside," says Beecher. "Information from reliable sources is critical to success."
- "Understanding the relationship between the plant and the nutrients is critical to success," says Beecher.
- "Build a smaller, cheaper system and introduce a new way of farming," says Beecher.
Need more ideas to get you started? Be sure to read these gardening tips for beginners.
Sources:
- Lance Beecher, Ph.D., Aquaponics, Aquaculture and Fisheries Specialist at Clemson University
- Rick Vanzura, CEO of Freight Farms
- Greengold Farms. "How to Build a Floating Raft Deep Water Culture (DWC) System."
