Hydroponics at Home: Growing Without Soil
Instead of soil, the plant's roots are held in a special material, like clay balls or rockwool, and they get food from a specially prepared water mix.
This way of growing, which was used for a long time in science and on big farms, is now easier to use at home, so anyone can have their own small garden on a windowsill or balcony and check the plant’s health via a free plant ID app for Android.
What is Hydroponics and Its Benefits
Fast Growth and Big Harvest: Plants get food right away, so they grow faster and you can get more food from them than with normal gardening.
Saving Water: The water in hydroponic systems goes around in a circle, which lets you use up to less water than in normal gardening, so it is a very good method for the environment.
No Soil Sicknesses or Pests: Since you do not use soil, you do not have problems with sicknesses and bugs that often live in the ground.
Growing All Year: With special lights, you can give your plants perfect growing conditions all year long, no matter what the weather is like outside.
Clean and Safe: Growing without soil is very clean, and because there are no bugs you do not need to use chemicals, so your food is very safe to eat.
Main Parts: Types of Systems, Materials, and Food Mixes
To start your own hydroponic system at home, you need to understand its main parts and how they work.
Types of Systems
Hydroponic systems can be passive or active; passive systems use natural forces, while active systems use pumps to move the food mix around.
The Wick System: This is the easiest system for new growers because it does not need electricity, and a wick takes the food mix from a tank below to the roots of the plant, which makes it good for small and easy plants like lettuce and herbs.
The Nutrient Film Technique System: In this active system, a thin layer of the food mix is always moving in a special channel, washing over the roots of the plants, and it is very good because it always gives the roots food and air, but you must use a pump.
The Drip System: This is an active system where the food mix is given to each plant with small pipes and drips from the top onto the material, and this system is very good for many different plants, from small herbs to big plants that grow fruit.
Materials
The material is what holds the plant and gives air to the roots. It does not have food in it.
Clay Balls: It is light, has small holes, holds water well, and gives a lot of air to the roots, so it is easy to wash and use many times.
Rockwool: This is a perfect material for young plants because it holds water very well and gives the roots good air.
Coco Coir: This is a good material for the environment that comes from coconut shells.
Perlite and Vermiculite: These are often used in mixes with other materials to help with air and to hold water better.
Food Mixes
The food mix is the most important part of hydroponics because it has all the big and small foods that a plant needs to grow.
Most food mixes are sold as a liquid that you mix with water
You can use different mixes for different parts of the plant's life, like when it is growing leaves or when it is growing fruit
You should only use special food mixes for hydroponics because normal garden fertilisers do not dissolve all the way and can block the system
And if you’re afraid to mess everything up and you need someone or something to help you in a moment.
App Name | What it Does |
AI Plant Finder | uses AI to tell you what a plant is and if it has a sickness or bugs from a picture |
Grover | helps you to figure out how much food to put in your mix based on your numbers |
Hydroponics Master | has a list of many different plants with what pH they need and what food they should get |
Plant Monitor | lets you watch the pH, temperature, and water level with sensors and sends you messages |
Choosing Plants: What Plants Are Good for Hydroponics
Many plants grow very well in hydroponic systems, so for a start, it is best to choose plants that are easy to grow and give you results quickly.
Lettuce and Leafy Greens: These are the perfect choice for new growers, because plants like lettuce, spinach, and arugula have small roots and grow fast
Herbs: Herbs like basil, mint, dill, parsley, and rosemary do very well in hydroponics, and they do not take up a lot of space
Strawberries: Hydroponics is a great way to get fresh strawberries; they grow well in vertical systems, which saves space and gives a lot of berries.
Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers: These plants that grow fruit can also be grown successfully, but they need more food mix, more light, and something to hold their stems up
Peppers: Sweet and hot peppers grow well in hydroponics, but they need more care with their food and light, especially when they are growing fruit
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Simple System
Get Your Materials: You will need two plastic containers, a hydroponic material like clay balls, a wick, the food mix, and seeds or a small plant.
Prepare the Containers: Make some holes in the bottom of the smaller container, and the bigger container will hold the food mix.
Put in the Wick: Push one or two wicks through the holes in the smaller container so they hang down freely.
Fill the Pot: Fill the smaller container with the material, leaving some room for the plant.
Plant the Plant: Put the small plant in the middle of the pot and carefully cover its roots with the material.
Pour the Mix: Fill the bigger container with the food mix and then put the smaller container with the plant inside the bigger one, so that the wicks go into the food mix, and the mix will go up the wick to make the material wet and give food to the roots.
Care: Controlling pH, Changing the Mix, and Light
Even the most simple hydroponic system needs regular care to make sure the plants are healthy.
Controlling pH
Controlling the pH level is the most important part of care because it decides how well the plants can take in food.
Perfect Level: The best level for most plants is between 5.5 and 6.5
Measuring: You will need a special pH meter or a test kit to check the pH level every day or every other day
Correcting: If the pH is too high or too low, you can use special "pH Up" or "pH Down" liquids to fix it, and you should add just a little bit at a time, mixing it well before you check the pH again
Changing the Mix
Over time, the food mix will change because plants use different foods at different speeds.
How Often to Change: For small systems at home, it is a good idea to change the mix completely every 1−2 weeks
The Process: Before you change the mix, you should pour out the old one, clean the tank with fresh water, and then make a new fresh mix
Light
Light is the energy that plants need to grow, so when you grow plants inside, you must give them enough light.
Types of Lights: LED grow lights are best for hydroponics because they do not use a lot of power and do not get very hot
