Hydroponic gardening for beginners – a how-to guide to soil free gardening

Gardening has evolved over the years, adapting to the ever-changing world and the needs of people. One such evolution is the practice of hydroponics.

This innovative approach to gardening opens doors for those who never thought they could nurture a green thumb. Today, we’re sharing an easy-to-understand guide for beginners to hydroponic gardening.

What is Hydroponic Gardening?

Before we dive into the how-to, it’s important to understand the what. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Hydroponic systems allow plant roots to come into direct contact with nutrient-rich water and have access to oxygen, which is essential for proper growth.

Why Choose Hydroponics?

There are plenty of reasons to explore hydroponic gardening, especially for urban dwellers with limited space. Some of these benefits include:

1. Space Efficient: Hydroponics saves space, as plants don’t need as much room to spread their roots.
2. Water Saving: Hydroponics uses less water compared to traditional soil gardening.
3. Controlled Environment: The grower has complete control over nutrient balance and pH levels, which can lead to healthier and more abundant harvests.
4. Reduced Pest and Disease: Since it’s a soilless system, it reduces the chances of soil-borne pests and diseases.

How to Start Hydroponic Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choosing Your Hydroponic System

There are six main types of hydroponic systems, each with its unique benefits and challenges.

1. Wick System: This is the simplest type of hydroponics system. It is a passive system, which means there are no moving parts. The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from the reservoir with a wick.
2. Water Culture: This is an active system where plant roots are directly suspended in nutrient-rich water. An air pump adds oxygen to the water to prevent the plants from drowning.
3. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain): In this system, plants are grown in a bed filled with a medium like gravel or perlite. The bed is flooded with nutrient solution at regular intervals and then drained, letting the plants take up nutrients and water.
4. Drip (Recovery or Non-recovery): A timer controls a water pump, which pumps water and nutrients onto the plant’s roots system from above. In a recovery system, excess nutrient solution drips back into the reservoir. Non-recovery systems do not collect the runoff.
5. NFT (Nutrient Film Technique): In this system, there is a constant flow of nutrient solution over the roots of the plants, providing them with a balance of water, oxygen, and nutrients.
6. Aeroponics: The roots of plants in an aeroponic system hang in the air and are misted with nutrient solution. The mistings are usually done every few minutes.

Step 2: Getting the Right Equipment

Depending on your chosen system, you’ll need to gather the right equipment. This might include:

1. Growing Tray/Pots: This is where you’ll place your plants. The size and material may vary depending on your system.
2. Reservoir: This holds the nutrient solution your plants will use to grow.
3. Submersible Pump: This is used to deliver the nutrient solution to the plants in some systems.
4. Air Pump & Air Stone/Diffuser: These oxygenate the nutrient solution.
5. Tubing: will transport water and nutrient solution from the reservoir to your plants.
6. Grow Lights: If you don’t have a good source of sunlight, you’ll need artificial lighting.
7. pH Test Kit: This will allow you to ensure your nutrient solution maintains an appropriate pH level.
8. Nutrients: Hydroponic-specific nutrients are needed to provide your plants with all the necessary micro and macro nutrients.
9. Growing Medium: Depending on your chosen system, you may need a soil-less growing medium like rockwool, perlite, or coco coir.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Hydroponic Garden

After gathering all the necessary materials, you must set up your system. Most systems will come with their own set of instructions.

Step 4: Preparing Your Nutrient Solution

Fill your reservoir with water and then add the nutrients according to the package instructions. Check and adjust the pH level if necessary.

Step 5: Planting and Maintaining Your Plants (Continued)

Keep an eye on your plants and your system daily. Check that the system works properly and that the plants receive enough light and nutrients. Regularly monitor your solution’s pH and nutrient levels and adjust as necessary.

Step 6: Harvesting Your Produce

The time it takes for your plants to reach maturity will depend on what you’re growing. Leafy greens like lettuce might be ready to harvest in as little as a month, while fruiting plants like tomatoes may take 2-3 months.

To harvest, simply cut off the part of the plant you want to eat. With many plants, if you leave some of it behind, it will continue to grow and produce.

Read: What Is Commercial Gardening? + 10 Steps to Start a Commercial Garden

Conclusion: Embrace the Future of Gardening

While it might seem like a daunting task initially, hydroponic gardening is a worthwhile pursuit. It’s sustainable, efficient, and can become a rewarding hobby or commercial venture. Like any new endeavor, it’s all about learning and experimenting. So, start small, keep growing, and soon you’ll see the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor.

Hydroponics is more than just a soil-less gardening method; it’s a testament to human innovation and the future of gardening. Happy gardening!

Additionally, you may like some more gardening articles:

• How Long Does It Take for a Strawberry Plant to Produce Fruit
• Top 13 Vegetables that grow above the ground
• Split leaf philodendron pruning

Frequently Asked Questions