Building Your Own Hydroponic Garden | Kel Lake Garden Centre

26 Sep Building Your Own Hydroponic Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted at 10:08h in Garden Inspiration by Anna Polovick 0 Comments

Have you ever wanted to grow your own fresh produce but don’t have the space for a traditional garden? Hydroponic gardening could be the solution for you. Hydroponic gardening allows you to grow plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil.

You’ve probably seen hydroponic lettuce and tomatoes at your local grocery store. With some basic equipment and a little know-how, you can build your own hydroponic garden right at home.

Read on to Find Out:

What Is A Hydroponic Garden and How Does It Work?
Is Hydroponic Gardening For Me?
What’s The Right Hydroponic System For My Property?
What’s The Best Plant For My Hydroponic Garden?
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Hydroponic Garden?
Should You Build Or Buy A Premade Kit For Your Hydroponic Garden?
Tips For Maintaining Your Hydroponic Garden

What Is A Hydroponic Garden and How Does It Work?

A hydroponic garden is a soilless system for growing plants. Instead of soil, the roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich solution that provides everything the plant needs to thrive.

The idea behind hydroponics is simple: remove the barriers between a plant’s roots and the water, oxygen, and nutrients it requires.

In a hydroponic system, plants sit in a medium like clay pellets or perlite while their roots are immersed in nutrient-rich water. An aquarium pump and air stones provide oxygen to the water. A nutrient solution with minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is added to the water to feed the plants.

Since the roots have direct access to water and nutrients, plants can grow faster than in soil. You can place a hydroponic garden anywhere and have more control over nutrients. Many plants thrive hydroponically, including tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and herbs.

The drawbacks are higher startup costs, the need for electricity, and balancing the nutrient solution. But for home gardeners without outdoor space, hydroponics offers an exciting way to grow your food. If you choose a simple system and start with easy plants, you’ll harvest homegrown produce before you know it!

Is Hydroponic Gardening For Me?

Factors To Consider	Description
Space	Hydroponic gardening can be done anywhere.
Time	Hydroponic gardening can require some time and attention. You’ll need to check on your plants regularly to make sure they have enough water and nutrients.
Cost	This can be more expensive than traditional gardening
Climate	Though hydroponic gardening can be done indoors or outdoors, be sure to choose plants suitable for your climate.
Water quality	lean water is required.
Nutrients	Hydroponic plants need a balanced diet of nutrients. You can purchase nutrient solutions specifically designed for hydroponic gardening or make your own solution.
Pests and diseases	Hydroponic gardens can be susceptible to pests and diseases. It’s important to monitor your plants regularly and take steps to prevent problems.

What’s The Right Hydroponic System For My Property?

A hydroponic garden allows you to grow plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. There are many systems to choose from, so picking the right one for your needs is key.

Drip Systems

For small spaces, drip systems are ideal. Nutrient solution drips onto the roots, and excess flows back to the reservoir. Simple and inexpensive, drip systems suit leafy greens, herbs, and strawberries.

Ebb and Flow

With ebb and flow, plants sit in a tray and are periodically flooded with solution, then drained. Trays can stack, so ebb and flow suits lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes.

Deep Water Culture

A deep water culture system suspends roots directly in an oxygenated solution for larger plants like cucumbers or tomatoes. Aeration pumps provide oxygen to the roots.

Nutrient Film Technique

The nutrient film technique constantly flows a thin film of solution over roots. Best for fast-growing leafy greens and herbs, the NFT system is simple but can clog without proper maintenance. Consider your available space, time, and the types of plants you want to grow.

With the right hydroponic system, you’ll enjoy homegrown produce in no time!

What’s The Best Plant For My Hydroponic Garden?

When choosing plants for your hydroponic garden, consider ones that don’t require soil to thrive. Leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers are excellent options.

Leafy Greens

Lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, and other greens grow quickly hydroponically and don’t require much space. Their shallow root systems are perfect for hydroponic systems.

Herbs

Herbs like basil, mint, chives, oregano, thyme, and rosemary do very well hydroponically. Their aromatic oils tend to be more concentrated when grown hydroponically.

Fruiting Plants

Dwarf tomato varieties, strawberries, and cucumbers can also be grown hydroponically. Provide strong support for vining plants and adequate lighting, especially for flowering and fruit development.

While almost any plant can be grown hydroponically with the right conditions, starting with easy, fast-growing plants will ensure success and allow you to get the hang of hydroponic gardening.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Hydroponic Garden?

A hydroponic garden has some clear pros and cons to consider before you dive in.

PROS	CONS
Hydroponic systems allow for year-round production since they can be located indoors or in greenhouses, avoiding seasonal changes. Hydroponic gardens consume less water than traditional soil gardens. The nutrient solution is circulated and absorbed more efficiently by the roots with less waste. No weeding! Hydroponic systems don’t rely on soil, so weeds aren’t a problem. More time can be spent tending to your crops.	There is an upfront financial investment required to set up lights, reservoirs, pumps and other hydroponic equipment. Ongoing costs include nutrients and electricity. Hydroponic systems require daily monitoring and maintenance. The pH and nutrient levels must be checked and adjusted to keep the solution balanced for optimal plant growth. Troubleshooting equipment issues may require some technical know-how. Problems with pumps, leaks or clogs disrupt the flow of nutrients and need to be addressed promptly.

PROS

CONS

Hydroponic systems allow for year-round production since they can be located indoors or in greenhouses, avoiding seasonal changes.
Hydroponic gardens consume less water than traditional soil gardens. The nutrient solution is circulated and absorbed more efficiently by the roots with less waste.
No weeding! Hydroponic systems don’t rely on soil, so weeds aren’t a problem. More time can be spent tending to your crops.

There is an upfront financial investment required to set up lights, reservoirs, pumps and other hydroponic equipment. Ongoing costs include nutrients and electricity.
Hydroponic systems require daily monitoring and maintenance. The pH and nutrient levels must be checked and adjusted to keep the solution balanced for optimal plant growth.
Troubleshooting equipment issues may require some technical know-how. Problems with pumps, leaks or clogs disrupt the flow of nutrients and need to be addressed promptly.

Should You Build Or Buy A Premade Kit For Your Hydroponic Garden?

When starting a hydroponic garden, you’ll need to decide whether to build your own system or purchase a premade kit.

Options	Pros	Cons
Build Your Own	More control over the design and setup Can be customized to perfectly suit your needs	More time-consuming to build Requires more knowledge and experience
Buy A Premade Kit	Quick and easy to set up. A good option for first-time gardeners Includes all the necessary components	Less control over the design and setup May not be as customizable as a DIY system

Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are handy and have the time and energy to build your own system, it can be a great way to save money and have complete control over your setup. However, if you are short on time or experience, a premade kit may be a better option.

Whichever you choose, starting a hydroponic garden is a rewarding endeavour. With some light, water, and nutrients you’ll be growing your own veggies and herbs in no time!

Grow Smart, Grow Hydroponic

While it may seem complicated, hydroponics can be an incredibly rewarding hobby. You’ll be able to grow fresh produce year-round and have complete control over your garden. The initial investment in equipment will pay off through higher savings at the grocery store.

If you follow the steps carefully and keep a close eye on your plants, you’ll be harvesting homegrown veggies in no time. Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by diving into the world of hydroponics.

Need gardening accessories or tools for your hydroponic garden? Visit Kel Lake Garden Centre today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you choose the right products for your needs. We also offer a variety of classes and workshops so be sure to check our page regularly for scheduled events!

Tags:

herbs, Hydroponic garden, Plants

Building Your Own Hydroponic Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide