Hydroponics is defined as growing plants in a nutrient solution without using soil. Most methods of hydroponics use insert materials as a growing medium and as support for the plant. This is sometimes referred to as nutriculture, too.

The idea is to short-cut the complicated chemical exchanges that take place in ordinary soil and make the crucial nutrients directly available to plants. Teh basic nutrients required by plants include potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, plus several trace minerals. In gardening with soil, potassium, phosphorus, and the trace minerals are provided by the soil, and nitrogen is provided by decaying organic matter. Water dissolves the nutrients and supplies them to the roots of the plants. In hydroponics, all the nutrients are supplied to the plants by the solution, thus eliminating many chemical exchanges.

One way to make the nutrients directly available to plants is to set plants into an artificial aggregate soil, such as perlite, vermiculite, coarse sand, or gravel, and then add a specially prepared nutrient solution. Or the artificial soil can be eliminated and the plants grown by suspending the roots in the nutrient solution.

For the indoor or outdoor gardener, hydroponics can offer bonanza yields with maximum use of available space. With proper support, plenty of light, and conscientious care, a small pot can support a six-foot tomato vine. Most garden centers stock prepared nutrient mixes containing the critical elements. Or you can purchase the basic ingredients online and mix your own nutrient solution; if the water contains chlorine, let the water stand overnight. Most of the chlorine will evaporate.

Use of a soilles medium is an ideal introduction to hydroponics, because washed sand, gravel, vermiculite, or perlite provides support for plants and allows air to penetrate properly. At the same time, the nutrient solution can wash around roots without eliminating valuable air.

Any container will do as long as it drains thoroughly. The container should be at least four inches deep. You might use flowerpots, plastic dishpans, or cat litter trays. Punch or drill holes in the bottom, if necessary, and cover the holes with cheesecloth, netting, or a piece of window screen, so growing materials will not be flushed from the container. Fill the container to within a half inch of the rime with perlite or other artificial soil, and tamp gently. Seeds should be started in a separate flat, then shifted to a hydroponic unit when seedlings are large enough to transplant easily without injury to the roots.

The greenhouse in the insert produces vegetables year round. Besides holding strawberries, peas, cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, the greenhouse has room for marigolds, carnations, and sweet peas for cutting, as well as a host of houseplants. The nutrient solution is automatically pumped into the growing medium in plant trays two or three times a day. When the trays are full, the pump automatically shuts off and the solution drains back into the nutrient tank. The solution can be reused for about two weeks, and then it's time to throw it out and add fresh solution.

EasyGrow 6x8 Greenhouse

The junior-size hydroponic system below can accommodate, bougainvillea, cherry tomato plant, lettuce, chives, and other herbs. In the summer, it is perfect for anywhere in the house and is very economical.


Start your Indoor Garden today!

Start with a smiple hydroponic setup, and your interest will grow as plants flourish. The systems shown at this website are inexpensive to make but vary in the time they require to put your mini-farm together.

Simple How-To-Guide for Homemade Hydroponic Systems you can built yourself!