Hydroponics is a gardening system that uses a solution without soil (usually water) to grow plants. Hydroponic gardens have 30-50 percent faster growth rates and higher yields than gardens that use soil. To create a hydroponic garden, start by building a hydroponic system. Then, plant the plants into this system so they can grow. Take care of the hydroponic garden every day and enjoy healthy plants in your home.
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Part 1 of 3: Building a Hydroponic System at Home
Step 1. Create a water table (flood table)
The water table will hold water for the garden. You can make a simple water table out of wood. The width of the table depends on the number of plants to be planted and the amount of water you want to use.
- For a small garden, make a rectangular frame from processed wood measuring 1.2 meters wide by 3 cm thick, and 2.4 meters long by 3 cm thick. After that, cover it with a sheet of polyethylene plastic. The park will hold 75 liters of water.
- You can also use a wide, deep plastic tray as a water table. Choose a container that can hold 38-75 liters of water. You can line the tray with plastic to make sure it doesn't leak.
Step 2. Make a floating platform with Styrofoam
To prevent the plant's roots and soil from rotting, build a floating platform so the plant can float in the water. For small gardens, use 1.2 x 2.4 meter Styrofoam sheets 4 cm thick. Check that the edges of the platform can move up and down so the plants can float.
Step 3. Cut a 5-7 cm hole in the platform
Use the plant pot as a reference when cutting holes with a small saw. The hole in the platform should be enough to accommodate the plant. Make sure the plant pot fits snugly into the hole but doesn't drop more than 0.5 cm at the bottom.
Step 4. Mount the drip transmitter on the water table
The drip transmitter helps drip water from the garden to ensure the water doesn't sit still on the water table. You can buy them at the irrigation section of a hardware store or nursery. They are available in a variety of water flow rates, expressed in maximum gallons per hour (gallons per hour or gph).
- For a standard garden, the water table should be able to accommodate 19 liters of water per hour. So, set up two drip transmitters with a flow rate of 2 gph.
- Puncture two holes in the bottom of the water table. Then, push the drip transmitter into the hole. Seal any gaps around the drip transmitter with epoxy or hot glue.
Step 5. Place the water table on the booth with a bucket
The water table needs to be raised on a booth or table. Place the bucket under the water table, just below the drip transmitter. The bucket will catch any water that drips from the water table.
If you are growing your hydroponic garden outdoors, place it in a sunny spot. Position the garden table so that it gets a lot of sunlight
Step 6. Fill the water table with water
Pour in the water until the water table is half filled. Depending on the size of the water table selected, you may need to pour 19-75 liters of water.
You can add more water after placing the plant on the water table
Step 7. Arrange the growth lights if you are growing indoors
Hydroponic gardens can be grown indoors with warm climates, especially climates that get full year sunshine. If you are growing your garden indoors, prepare a growth lamp. Use a metal halide lamp or a sodium lamp.
Position the lamp above the water table so the plant gets plenty of light
Step 8. Prepare nutrients for plants
You need to add nutrient-rich food or fertilizer to the water so the plants can thrive. Look for fertilizers rich in calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients from garden supply stores
You can purchase foods specially formulated for hydroponic gardens. These foods will fill the water with many of the nutrients that plants need to grow
Part 2 of 3: Inserting Plants
Step 1. Choose green vegetables and herbs
Hydroponic gardens are best for shallow rooted plants, such as leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and cabbage. You can grow herbs such as mint, basil, and dill.
- Choose plants that have similar light and water requirements. Thus, all of them can thrive when planted close together in the garden.
- When you expand your hydroponic garden, you may be able to grow deep-rooted vegetables, such as beets, squash, and cucumbers.
Step 2. Make a mixture of planting media
Start at the base of the garden which will provide moisture and air for the plants. Use 8/9 perlite and 1/9 coconut fiber. You can also use vermiculite or peat instead of coconut fiber.
If you live in a dry climate, add more coconut fiber to pearlite. Meanwhile, reduce the amount of coconut fiber for gardens in humid climates
Step 3. Put the planting media mixture into the pot
Use a 10cm pot with a hole in the bottom, or a mesh pot. Holes in the bottom of the pot allow plants to obtain water and food from the hydroponic garden. Fill the pot to 1/3 full with the growing media mix.
Step 4. Start planting
Use seeds that have germinated in one cube of soil. Place the cubes containing the sprouts in the pot provided. Pour the planting medium around and over your plants. Planting media must meet the pot well.
Using seeds that have already been planted and are starting to grow will increase your chances of success. For that, give one cube of seeds that have started to grow into each pot
Step 5. Place the plant on the water table
Water the plant with a small amount of water and place it on the water table. If you are using a floating platform, place the pot in the hole there. But if not, just place the pot on the water table.
Make sure the roots of the plants that are submerged in water are only 0.5 cm long. That way, the roots don't get too wet while still getting enough water
Part 3 of 3: Caring for a Hydroponic Garden
Step 1. Water the plant once a day
Basically plants need to be watered every day. If the plant begins to wilt, water it twice a day. You may also need to add more water to the water table if it seems to be running low.
If your plant isn't growing as well as you'd like, it's probably not getting enough air and too much moisture. Check if the plant roots are rotting. If the roots begin to rot or smell, raise them so that the roots are submerged in water
Step 2. Add nutrients according to plant needs
The water in the water table should drip slowly through the drip transmitter into the bucket below. The duration can be 7-10 days. During this time, pour the additional plant nutrients into the bucket, then add the water. Then, pour the contents of the bucket onto the water table.
This ensures the plants get the nutrients they need to grow in a hydroponic garden
Step 3. Make sure the plant is getting enough light
If you're growing your hydroponic garden outdoors, make sure the plants get enough direct sunlight for 10-15 hours each day. If you're growing your garden indoors, turn on growth lights so the plants get 15-20 hours of light each day. Set a timer so that the lights go out automatically at the specified time.
You will need to purchase a growth lamp with a timer. Or, you can set your own timer and turn off the growth lights as needed
Step 4. Harvest the plants that have grown
Use garden shears to trim the plants. Prune the plant to size and consume it. Cut the leaves to be eaten on the branches. Harvest your produce as it grows to keep it fertile.
