Hydroponics is a form of gardening that uses no soil, but instead grows plants in a solution of water and nutrients. A hydroponic system can grow plants and vegetables faster and year-round. Plants grown this way usually yield more, require less space, and conserve soil and water. This system is an ideal solution if you are an apartment dweller who does not have an outdoor gardening plot. Throughout the growing process, you will need to control several factors, such as lighting, water quality, air circulation, and more.

Three systems are suitable for beginners: the wick system, the water culture system, and the ebb and flow system. More advanced systems include the nutrient film technique and the aeroponic system. The easiest plants to start with are greens like lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and kale; herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro, and mint; and fruiting plants like tomatoes, strawberries, and hot peppers.

The Wick System

The wick system is the simplest system mechanically; there are no moving parts or electrical components. This system is not ideal for water-hungry plants like lettuce or tomatoes but works best for microgreens, herbs, and peppers.

Project Metrics

Working Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: Change or add water every few days

Material Cost: $50 ($100 if you need a grow light)

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

Drill or screwdriver (optional)

Grow light (optional)

Materials

Bucket or basin for water reservoir

Water

Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)

Cotton or nylon cord

Growing medium

Seedling

Growing tray

Instructions

Set up a Water Reservoir Create a reservoir filled with water and nutrients. This reservoir will be beneath the tray holding your plant and growing medium. Connect Wicks to the Growing Tray You will need to connect one or two wicks through holes in the bottom of the growing tray. If you need to make holes in the growing tray, use a drill or screwdriver. The wicks will soak up water from the reservoir and draw it up the wick to the growing medium in the tray. Set up a Growing Tray The growing medium, containing a seedling, is set above the water reservoir. Use a medium that will not drain too fast and will utilize the capillary action of the wick most effectively, such as vermiculite, perlite, and soilless mixes. Set up a Light Fixture if Necessary If using natural light, skip this step. Otherwise, set up a light fixture above the growing tray. If using incandescent light bulbs, set it 24 inches from the plants. LED and fluorescent lights are not as hot; place them 6 and 12 inches, respectively, from the plants.

Water Culture (Raft) System

A water culture system is another simple system to set up. In this system, the plants are placed in a styrofoam platform that floats on top of the reservoir with the nutrient-enriched water. Unlike the wick system, you will need to aerate the water in this system.

Project Metrics

Working Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: Add water-fertilizer solution as needed

Material Cost: $50 ($100 if using grow light)

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

Drill, rotary tool, or Exacto knife (optional)

Grow light (optional)

Air stone and pump

Materials

Bucket or basin for water reservoir

Water

Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)

Styrofoam sheet

Seedlings in net pots

Instructions

Set up the Water Reservoir Create a reservoir filled with water and nutrients. This reservoir will be beneath your plant and floating plant raft. This system is suited for water-hungry plants like lettuce, but it is not recommended for more long-lived plants, like tomatoes. Aerate the Water The most common and inexpensive aeration system is an air stone and pump. The air stone, the same as a bubbler found in home aquariums, is placed in the water and connected to an air pump outside the reservoir. The pump pushes air through the stone, which blows out tiny bubbles to distribute oxygen through the water. Set up Your Growing Raft Cut a floating styrofoam platform to fit the top of the reservoir and cut holes to insert net pots. Net pots are plastic containers with perforated bottoms that contain a growing medium (coconut coir, perlite, clay balls) and seedlings. The roots will need to be in contact with the reservoir water. Set up a Light Fixture if Necessary If using natural light, skip this step. Otherwise, set up a light fixture above the growing tray. If using incandescent light bulbs, set it 24 inches from the plants. LED and fluorescent lights are not as hot; place them 6 and 12 inches, respectively, from the plants.

Ebb and Flow System

An ebb and flow system, also called the flood and drain system, is slightly more complex in design but is extremely versatile. This system works by flooding the growing medium with a water-nutrient solution, then it drains back into the reservoir.

Project Metrics

Working Time: 1 hour

Total Time: Refresh the water-fertilizer solution every week

Material Cost: $75 ($125 if using grow light)

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

Grow light (optional)

Two tubes (fill tube and drain tube)

One submersible pump

Electronic timer

Materials

Bucket or basin for water reservoir

Water

Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)

Growing tray

Seedlings in net pots

Instructions

Set up the Water Reservoir The reservoir is placed directly below the flood tray's stand with the water and nutrients. You can use the same water for about a week at a time, making sure to renew the nutrients every time you change the water. Connect a Fill Tube and Drain Tube Connect the reservoir to the tray via a fill tube and a drain tube. The fill tube attaches to a submersible pump with a timer, which controls the flow of water up into the flood tray. The drain tube allows gravity to pull the water back into the reservoir after flooding so that the water can be reused. Connect a Submersible Pump and Timer A submersible pump with a timer allows for a lot of control in this type of system. You can customize the length and frequency of watering based on your plant's needs. Set up the Flood Tray The plant tray or flood tray is a large, shallow container on a tall stand. Plant your seedlings in perforated pots filled with a growing medium like perlite. The pots that your seedlings are in should be about twice as deep as the flood tray. Set up a Light Fixture if Necessary If using natural light, skip this step. Otherwise, set up a light fixture above the growing tray. If using incandescent light bulbs, set it 24 inches from the plants. LED and fluorescent lights are not as hot; place them 6 and 12 inches, respectively, from the plants.

Nutrient Film Technique

The nutrient film technique uses a water-nutrient solution that constantly flows in a loop from a reservoir through a growing tray, where plant roots are suspended in air and absorb nutrients as the solution flows by. This system makes the ebb and flow system a continuously flowing system, never taking periodic breaks.

Project Metrics

Working Time: 1 hour

Total Time: Refresh the water-fertilizer solution every week

Material Cost: $85 ($135 if using a grow light)

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

Drill or rotary tool (optional)

Grow light (optional)

Air stone and pump

Two tubes (fill tube and drain tube)

One submersible pump

Materials

Bucket or basin for water reservoir

Water

Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)

Tube or PVC pipe to fit the seedlings

Seedlings in net pots

Instructions

Set Up the Water Reservoir and Aeration The reservoir is placed directly below the flood tray's stand with the water and nutrients. You will add an aeration bubbler in the reservoir to oxygenate the water. Connect the Fill Tube, Drain Tube, and Pump Connect the reservoir to the tray via a fill tube and a drain tube. The fill tube attaches to a submersible pump, which controls the flow of water up into the flood tray. The drain tube allows gravity to pull the water back into the reservoir after flooding so that the water can be reused. Unlike the ebb and flow methods, you do not need a timer, since it is continuously pumping the water. Set up the Growing Tray Instead of a flat tray, this method uses tubes or channels for the grow tray. This tubing makes it easier to set it at an angle and to make sure that the nutrient solution flows directly to the roots. You can use a round tube or PVC pipe with holes drilled to fit the net pots or seedlings. Set up a Light Fixture if Necessary If using natural light, skip this step. Otherwise, set up a light fixture above the growing tray. If using incandescent light bulbs, set it 24 inches from the plants. LED and fluorescent lights are not as hot; place them 6 and 12 inches, respectively, from the plants.

Aeroponic System

An aeroponic system is a more complex hydroponic method. Plant roots are suspended in air and misted every few minutes with a water and nutrient solution. It is a highly effective method but one that requires sophisticated pumps and misters. If the equipment malfunctions, the plant roots can dry out and die quickly.

Project Metrics

Working Time: 1 hour

Total Time: Refresh the water-fertilizer solution every week

Material Cost: $100 ($150 if using a grow light)

What You'll Need

Equipment/Tools

Drill or rotary tool (optional)

Grow light (optional)

Air stone and pump

One tube (spray tube)

One submersible pump

Sprayer/misting head

Materials

Bucket or basin for water reservoir

Water

Hydroponic fertilizer (dry or liquid)

Tube or PVC pipe to fit the seedlings

Seedlings in net pots

Instructions

Set up a Water Reservoir With Aeration A container filled with nutrient-filled water is positioned under the growing chamber. Add an aeration bubbler in the reservoir to oxygenate the water. This reservoir also acts as a catch basin for misted droplets of solution. Connect a Submersible Pump and Tube to a Mister or Sprayer The reservoir solution pumps to the mister or sprayer vIa tubing from a submersible pump tube in the reservoir. The sprayer will be aimed at the plant's root in a growing chamber. Set up the Growing Chamber Similar to the nutrition film technique, you will set up tubes or channels for evenly suspending each seedling's roots. Set up a Light Fixture if Necessary If using natural light, skip this step. Otherwise, set up a light fixture above the growing tray. If using incandescent light bulbs, set it 24 inches from the plants. LED and fluorescent lights are not as hot; place them 6 and 12 inches, respectively, from the plants.

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