Container Garden 411

Hydroponics or “working water” is a way of growing plants without soil. Through water the grower provides all of the nutrients they would usually get from the soil for the plant. Hydroponics can easily be used by the home gardener as well as used on a mass production scale. If you are new to hydroponics then a good place to start is growing hydroponic lettuce. The plants are easy to work with and forgiving to novice gardeners.

You will need to prepare for starting your hydroponics garden two weeks in advance of actually planting the lettuce. First of all, gather all the equipment you will need. Get a 5-gallon container and lid to use. Darkness helps keep algae from growing so it is best to use dark plastic containers. You can cover a clear plastic container with dark plastic film or use aluminum foil if that is all you can find. You will also need a growing medium. Oasis root cubes work well for hydroponic lettuce. Root cubes are easy to handle becasue they are a pre-formed growth medium. They should be designed for propagation and ahve a neutral ph. Lettuce seedlings will also be needed of course. Two weeks prior to planting you must insert the seedlings in the growth cube and then place them in a dish of water.

While your seedlings are in water, you can prepare the lid of your container for planting. Take plastic planting cones, and trace their outlines on the lids. Four to six should fit, evenly spaced on a 5 gallon lids; just try to not get too close to the edge. After tracing circles with the plastic planting cones cut them out and insert them into the holes.

Now you can create your water nutrient solution. In hydroponic growing the most crucial step is to remember you must supply via water all the nutrients plants would normally get through the soil. There are many pre-mixed hydroponics solutions on the market, and one of these should be the base for your solution. In a 5-gallon drum you take 2 tsp of pre-mixed hydroponic fertilizer or you can also use 8-15-36, 1 tsp of Epsom salt, and 2 tsp of calcium nitrate. One ingredient at a time should be dissolved in a cup of water and then pour it in the drum. Once you have added your nutrients, fill the drum to near the top with water.

After your seedlings have been sitting in water for two weeks, they are ready to add to the planters. First all secure the lid on the drum with duct tape. Then next thing is toplace the seedlings inside the root cubes and then into the plastic planting cones that you previously prepared and placed in your drum lid. Plenty of sunlight is necessary to grow hydroponic lettuce and equal amounts of indirect as well as direct sunlight works well.

You will need to keep an eye on the plants for any insects or worms. If by chance you see any insects you must remove them by hand. Pesticides are not recommended for growth projects on such a small scale as this even though they are used in hydroponic gardening. Also, keep an eye on the water in the drum, make sure the plants are taking water, and make sure the water level is not getting too low.

Within 4 to 5 weeks, you should have fully grown lettuce plants, ready to pick. It is simple to pick just remove the leaves. Root cubes should not be used more than once though some kinds of hydroponic growth mediums can be recycled.