How To Start A Hydroponic Garden

Being stuck at home is the perfect opportunity to start a new hobby. Some people are using this time to make their own bread from scratch or doing easy workouts to stay fit at home. If you are looking for ways to cut your grocery bill in half, learning how to grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables at home is a great option. And you can do so with no soil needed.

Since you are replacing soil with water, your plants need a growing medium to transfer nutrients, moisture and oxygen to the plant's roots. Some people like to use sand, Rockwool or other materials. Depending on the number and size of plants you plan on growing, you may need a large bucket to hold them. But you can also repurpose a common household item like a jar to hold your seedlings. You need to make sure each plant has the right amount of light, nutrients, water, and ventilation as well as that it's grown at the right temperature, so it's important to do your research on the types of foods you want to grow. There are six different hydroponic systems you can choose from based on how much space you have to work with and the type of plants you plan on growing.

If you're looking to get started in hydroponics but don't want to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment, the deep-water culture may be a great DIY method. You will need a 5-gallon rectangular bucket to use as a reservoir to submerge the root in. Usually, there is a styrofoam platform floating on top of the reservoir to hold the plants that are in a net basket.

Also known as the flood-and-drain system, the ebb-and-flow method periodically floods the tray with the plants' roots and then drains the nutrient solutions back into the reservoir. However, unlike the nutrient film technique, ebb and flow uses a timer to turn on the pump to flood the tray with water and then turn off the pump when it is time to drain.

The aeroponics method stands out from the other methods because the plants are suspended in the air while their roots are hanging inside of a large open chamber. There is a timer that controls a pump to spray a mist of nutrient solution on the roots. This method helps keep the roots moist while also providing the necessary amount of nutrients. It is the most high-tech method out of all of the systems and probably not the best if you're trying to save money.

Water already contains a sufficient amount of nutrients that your plant needs in order to grow. But there are ways to give more nutrients to your plant without using soil. Some farmers use compost tea to help fertilize their vegetables, plants and flowers. But it's not the same kind of tea you drink when you have an upset stomach. To create your own compost tea, first dry any leftover coffee or tea grounds and banana peels, then mix in some water. Strain the mixture, and now your compost tea is ready to give to your plants. So while you're drinking your morning coffee at home, make sure to brew a cup for your plant too.

Basil is one of the best plants for rookie gardeners to grow indoors, especially when working with limited space. Be mindful of the location where you are growing this herb, because basil likes to be grown in warm areas, preferably around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Within a week or two, your seeds should enter the stage of germination in which the plant will start growing roots and sprouting leaves. Once it has roots, it should take another three to four weeks before it's ready to go on top of your favorite pizza.

After you get set up with your hydroponic system, your arugula plant should enter the stages of germination within five to 10 days. Keep your plant in an area of your home that is at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. After seven weeks, your plant should be mature enough to enjoy and share with the family. The next time you're making scrambled eggs, try mixing in some fresh arugula grown right in your kitchen. After all, it's one of those unexpected ingredients that go great with eggs.

If you want to add a fresh taste to your omelet, swiss chard can do the job. This leafy green vegetable, related to spinach and beets, won't take up too much space to grow in your home. In about eight weeks, you should have beautiful green leaves with a colorful stalk ready to add to your home-cooked meals. With 70-degree temperatures, the germination process should begin in four to 12 days.

There are many delicious weeknight dinner recipes you can create with spinach. However, this plant can be pretty tough to grow because of the temperature requirements. In order to germinate, spinach needs to be at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is colder than room temperature but warmer than refrigerator conditions. So unlike its other leafy green counterparts, it needs a lot more care to grow indoors. It could take between 14 and 30 days to germinate but should fully mature within seven weeks.