Hydroponics has been synonymous with growing a large amount of weeds in your home without a lot of work, but these days hydroponics gardening is easy Cutting-edge technology for sustainable agriculture. And while it might appear that test tube farming is somewhat untouched by nature, it is actually touted as a convenient way to grow fresh food around your home.
You can create your own hydroponics system or buy pre-made kits that all you have to take care of is the plants. It sounds simple, but how easy is it to use? Here are the facts about hydroponic gardening and what it takes to grow one in your home.
What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants immersed in water without using soil, without going into science. The nutrient-rich water and grow lights give the plants everything they need to thrive in an enclosed space. Have a controlled environment promotes rapid growth Without the use of chemicals, less water is used than the average farm or crop. Growing indoors allows you to grow fresh food in the dead of northeastern winter.
When the world was blocked, interest in hydroponic gardening explodedThe pandemic has personally inspired me to learn how to grow my own food. Knowing how to grow soilless food would be a good skill to make you feel like an apocalypse.
How to start your own hydroponic garden
There are different Ways to do hydroponics Gardening. All of this requires a combination of the items listed by The spruce below:
Bucket or basin for water reservoir
Get light (optional)
water
Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)
Cotton or nylon cord
Growth medium
seedling
Growing tray
Drill or screwdriver (optional)
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Hydroponics of the wick system (difficulty level for beginners)
The Wick system has no electronic parts, but uses a series of wicks (like a candle) to allow water to travel to the roots of the plant. There are no mechanical systems, which makes this the best option for building apocalyptic skills.
You would need one growing container, a basin for the Water reservoir, Wicks, a Growth medium (a moss-like block that houses the plant’s roots) and a Nutrient solution. You can get most of these items online through Amazon, and they end up costing around $ 82 (about $ 20 more if you buy one Let light grow rather than using natural light.) The wick system works best for fast growing plants like lettuce and herbs.
The ebb and flow method (medium level of difficulty)
Slightly more complicated than the wick system, the Ebb and flow option uses gravity and a water pump to direct the water from the underlying water reservoir of the nutrient solution into the basin and out of the basin. This style is considered a hydroponics option for intermediate products, but requires moderate attention once set up. This is most beneficial for those who wish to replace plants from time to time without disturbing other seedlings in the system. With the addition of a Submersible pump and electronic timerThis system could cost you around $ 130 (including a grow light).
Nutrient film technique and aeroponics (advanced level of difficulty)
More complicated DIY options are the ones Nutrient film technique with a continuous flow of water, like hanging Aeroponic system where plant roots float in the air. According to The spruceWhen these systems are assembled by yourself, they can cost you more $ 150. These types require a lot of footwork, and you are probably better off buying a kit assembled.
How to Buy a Pre-Made Hydroponic Gardening Kit
Sourcing all of these components is easy enough, but assembling any type of system can be a delicate process. If you (like me) lack the patience, buying a manufactured kit is a faster, easier option.
On Amazon, the beginner’s hydroponic wick system is cheaper than the DIY option and costs roughly $ 50While an advanced aeroponic system can be costly $ 599 to $ 669 depending on the source of the kit. A popular aeroponics option is slim mounted Plant tower, with easy installation and options to customize your decor, but you can walk $ 499 at some retailers. Rise Gardens offers a variety of hydroponic systems that are self-watering and app-controlled $ 279 for a personal size as a smaller option. Larger “three family-sized” indoor garden systems can cost almost $ 950.
The kits contain all of the materials required and detailed instructions for installation. A novice gardener can get up and grow in no time, but you need to decide whether the cost is worth the convenience. As someone looking to start their planting journey, it’s safe to say that hydroponics is not a total walk in the park. The different systems require a good level of dedication and money, but can be great if you are up to the task.
