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.

Hydroponic gardening is becoming increasingly popular among people who don’t have a backyard in which to grow plants. It is also a favorite pastime of year round gardeners who like to grow plants throughout the winter months, not just in the summer.

Hydroponic gardening isn’t a simple undertaking. Yet there are numerous advantages to this gardening technique as well. Hydroponics can actually produce larger plants and fruit as well as greater overall yield. And you can achieve that with less effort than required for outdoor gardening.

For instance, weeds aren’t much of a problem in a hydroponic garden. The growing medium makes it hard for the weeds to get started and they’re easily pushed out when they do.

But it’s harder to manage the nutrient and water requirements. You have to pay special attention to lighting and constantly monitor the pH levels. Most of these conditions take care of themselves in your outdoor garden. However, when it comes to hydroponics, you need to pay more attention to these conditions.

An easy way to get started with hydroponic gardening is by purchasing a hydroponics kit. Since you don’t have to do a lot of research regarding what you need to purchase, these kits are particularly valuable to the novice. Everything you need is included: trays, nutrients, lights and the feeding system.

But you’ll still need to properly tend your hydroponic garden. You need to feed the proper nutrients to your plants. You’ll have to set up a feeding system and monitor it regularly. Automatic watering systems will need to be arranged.

Just like with your outdoor garden, you have to pay attention to pests and disease in a hydroponic setup. Harmful substances such as mildew and bacteria thrive in an environment that’s continuously moist. There will still be a variety of typical garden pests that you’ll have to monitor.

Hydroponics offers an interesting variety of grow media. Some hydroponic gardeners prefer an all-water system. Trays that hold roots and solutions are fitted with supports from which strings hold the plant upright. Other gardeners enjoy working with media such as rockwool and perlite.

A convenient way to grow a hydroponic garden is in a greenhouse. It makes it much easier to monitor various growing conditions such as water, light and air.

Another option is using hydroponic grow boxes, which are also known as grow tents. This is a compact, completely enclosed unit that contains everything your plants need to thrive. This includes lighting and a ventilation system. Grow boxes simplify the whole process of hydroponic gardening by providing an ideal environment for your plants.

If you’re into hydroponic gardening, you might want to think about purchasing or building a greenhouse. Many people start off with some sort of homemade hydroponics setup in their basement or spare room. However, it’s a lot easier to manage all the conditions necessary for a thriving garden if it’s located in a greenhouse. It’s a lot easier to manage lighting conditions, air movement and temperature.

Growing your hydroponic garden indoors just isn’t as ideal as using a greenhouse. A hydroponic greenhouse allows for better lighting and watering system setup. Most people don’t want their hydroponic gardening hobby to dominate their living space.

You need a lot of room in order to install the irrigation and lighting systems that are needed for hydroponic gardening. If you have a greenhouse, you can position these systems optimally with much more ease. When it comes to hydroponic gardens, this is particularly important, since the proper levels of light and water are critical.

One of the most important advantages of growing your hydroponic garden in a greenhouse is the ability to control the light. Hydroponically grown plants need lots of light in order to thrive. At the same time, it’s important they don’t get too much direct sunlight since it will lead to excessive algae buildup.

In a greenhouse, sunlight is filtered and dispersed as a matter of course. By installing shutters or shades, you can also have more control over the amount and angle of the light. And of course you’ll save money by not constantly running grow lights.

You’ll also find that your nutrient delivery system is simpler to install and maintain if you have a greenhouse. Of course this is highly important to the health of your hydroponic plants. If your plants aren’t growing in soil, the pH levels are much more inclined to vary as well. You’ll see wide fluctuations in alkalinity and acidity because everything is water based. A greenhouse setup makes it easy to implement a system of automated pH control, so you’re not constantly checking the numbers.

And you don’t have to worry about keeping your plants warm in the winter. Even in cold weather, a well built greenhouse will keep the temperature at an acceptable level without having to turn on the heaters. If you reside in an area that gets cold but has plenty of sun, this is especially relevant.

As well, you can easily install vents and fans that prevent the greenhouse from becoming overheated. In a hydroponic garden, maintaining the optimum temperature is essential.

You can either build your own greenhouse or purchase one ready made. They are available in a range of models and sizes. There are also models that will accommodate an addition if your garden expands sometime in the future. Maybe it’s time you switched to a hydroponics greenhouse.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. Most often water is used in hydroponic gardening, hence the name. No doubt you can find a more scientific description of the process. But for the home gardener, that’s probably all you need to know.

Perhaps you’ve wondered how you can grow plants hydroponically without soil. Many people are convinced that soil is necessary for the growth of a plant. It’s a source of water, energy, support and nutrients. These are all required in order for the plant to thrive. But these elements are also available from other sources.

Plants certainly need water. However, soil isn’t the only way to provide it. You’ll find that a lot of plants grow naturally in inhospitable environments such as sand and gravel, or even floating atop the water.

The energy provided by the sun’s rays and its heat are also essential to a plant. But sun warmed earth isn’t the only source of energy. The sun’s rays have the same effect on a plant’s leaves regardless of whether it’s in the ground or not. Photosynthesis, essential to a plant’s wellbeing, will take place just as long as the top part of the plant gets sufficient light. There are plants that don’t require any light whatsoever. They will, however, still need some energy to power their natural growth processes.

Many of the plants that appeal to the home gardener need some physical support. Most often, this is achieved by planting them in the ground. That’s why the roots of a plant spread, and its stems are able to resist strong winds. However, there are other options for supporting your plants. For example, string interwoven on a supporting frame or popsicle sticks attached to the top of a glass will work just fine.

A healthy plant also requires adequate nutrition. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements. Normally, a plant will absorb these nutrients from the earth that surrounds it. However, they can also get these essential nutrients in other ways.

Submerging the plant’s roots in water that contains a liquid nutrient solution is a popular method. There are systems that utilize a hydroponics grow tent to retain moisture. A nutrient solution is misted onto the roots regularly in order to keep them saturated. This is similar to another growing technique that doesn’t use soil, the practice of aeroponics.

Hydroponic gardening can produce beautiful, healthy plants. There are many kinds of plants that can thrive above ground. Just make sure you provide for their needs.