This method is both ancient and forward-thinking, since it allows for gardening in highly urbanized environments.
Read on to learn how to choose a DIY hydroponic system and how to get started.
Hydroponic Garden
Hydroponic gardens use nutrient-rich water to bathe the plants' root bases.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
A hydroponic garden can growvegetables,flowers, and herbs without soil.
Maintenance is minimal since pest and weed control are less of a problem compared to soil-based gardens.
Depending on your needs and available space,you have a choiceof several types of DIYhydroponic gardens.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Factor lighting into your budget and space restrictions.
Nylon wicks help to draw the nutrient-rich water up to the plants.
Materials are inexpensive and the build is simple.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Net pots encase the roots of the plants.
But that’s just to prevent the plants from wandering.
Otherwise, the plants are in direct contact with the water.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Thenutrient-laden wateris moved by an electric pump through tubes to the top surface of the growing medium.
The water then slowly drips around the roots, then drains down to the bottom of the container.
Drip systems can be either recirculating or non-recirculating.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Recirculating systems move unused nutrient-rich water back up to the growing surface.
Non-recirculating systems discharge unused water.
Water is collected at the bottom and then cycled back up to the top again with a pumping system.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The plants do not rest in the growing channels.
Rather, they are suspended above the channels, with the roots draping down into the water.
Do-it-yourself builders of NFT systems often userain guttersas pre-built channels.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
With aeroponic systems, the plants are suspended in baskets or foam containers.
The roots drape down from these containers so that they can be misted.
Hydroponic systems are water-efficient, fast, and compact, but they also require some expertise and climate control.
It can be challenging to grow a lot of food with hydroponics, unless you have plenty of space.
Vining plants, root crops (like carrots and potatoes), and large plants struggle in hydroponic systems.
The key elements for a successful hydroponic system include a container, water, nutrients, and light.
Small-scale Hydroponics.University of Minnesota Extension
Hydroponic Production of Edible Crops: Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia State University.
