What is Hydroponic Gardening?

What is hydroponic gardening?

Hydroponics is the method of growing plants without the use of soil. This technique is widely employed to cultivate vibrant indoor plants as well as high-quality vegetables, fruits, and herbs. In hydroponics, plants absorb nutrients as simple ions in water. Typically, in traditional gardening, nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, and the plant roots absorb them. However, in hydroponic gardening soil becomes unnecessary as long as the plants receive the right nutrients. This process makes it possible for plants to thrive, even in an entirely soilless environment.

One of the key advantages of hydroponics is the controlled environment it offers. Indoor gardeners can carefully manage the essential factors for plant growth, including light, temperature, water, carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen, pH levels, and nutrients. By regulating these conditions, an indoor hydroponic system allows plants to grow efficiently and healthily. With proper care and attention, hydroponic gardening can yield impressive results, often surpassing traditional soil-based gardening in terms of plant growth and health.

Hydroponic systems come in various forms, but one of the simplest methods is the "Deep Water" system. In this technique, the roots are directly exposed to a nutrient-rich solution. A small air pump is used to oxygenate the solution, ensuring that the plants receive the oxygen they need to grow. In this method, gardeners need to monitor the pH levels and water levels regularly, typically every other day, and change the nutrient solution every 7 to 12 days. Timers are often used to automate the lighting and watering cycles.

Another popular hydroponic method is the Ebb & Flow or Flood & Drain system. In this technique, the plant's roots and growing mediums, such as Rockwool, are periodically soaked in a nutrient solution. The system operates on a timed cycle, making it easy to grow plants in small spaces. Similar to the Ebb & Flow method, Deep Water Culture (DWC) allows the roots to hang down into an aerated nutrient solution. In this case, standard aquarium pumps and air stones are used to keep the solution oxygenated, and the system must be regularly topped up to ensure the roots are adequately submerged.

Drip feeding is another hydroponic technique, where a continuous trickle of nutrient-rich water is delivered to the plant's roots. This method works similarly to Ebb & Flow, but instead of soaking the roots periodically, emitters provide a steady stream of nutrients for about 5 to 10 minutes every hour. This ensures that the plants receive a consistent supply of water and nutrients, promoting steady and healthy growth.

In Wick feeding, the plant draws water from a nutrient solution through a wick that runs from the base of the plant container to a reservoir. Through capillary action, the nutrient solution travels up to the plant's roots, providing the necessary nutrients for growth. Another method, called Raft cultivation, involves floating plants in a shallow tank of nutrient solution, with the roots hanging down through holes in polystyrene sheets. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) involves a thin film of nutrients flowing over the plant roots, while Aeroponics suspends the roots in a mist of nutrient-rich solution.

Various growing mediums can be used in hydroponic systems, depending on the method and the plants being grown. Common mediums include expanded clay, Rockwool, Coco coir, Perlite, Vermiculite, and Oasis root cubes. As concerns about chemical contamination in the food supply grow, more people are turning to hydroponics as a safer and more controlled alternative to traditional farming. This method allows gardeners to have full control over the growing environment, making it a popular and efficient choice for many.

However, there are a few CONs (disadvantages) to hydroponics, so let me mention them here. Regards to hydroponic farming, there are some pretty meaty costs when it comes to installation. In other words, the plumbing necessary for setting up a hydroponic farm is not cheap, and you will find it necessary to test your growing solution/the water frequently. The learning curve for hydroponic farming is steep because small errors can doom a whole crop.

Hydroponic farming depends on a system that is susceptible to power outages and equipment failure that can kill some plants within hours. If you can map out a way to circumvent some of the problem spots mentioned here above, hydroponics offers a sustainable, efficient, and clean method of growing plants, whether for personal or commercial use. With the proper knowledge and equipment, hydroponic systems can provide fresh, high-quality produce while using less water and space compared to traditional gardening. As technology and interest in sustainable farming practices advance, hydroponics continues to gain popularity among farmers and gardeners.

Creating a Beautiful Garden

Creating a beautiful garden

There is enormous fulfillment when it comes to creating your own garden plan -- I have found the fulfillment, for me, comes from relaxing or entertaining in the garden as well as the pleasure that comes from a job well done, if I do say so myself. The effort that you expend in planning and executing a design unique to you will add to the enjoyment your garden will provide for, you and others, years to come.

Let me share with you some of the best ways I have learned how to begin to create a garden space that is unique to you? The following are ten simple steps that will help you move through the garden planning process.

1. Give some thought WHY you want a garden.

Who else will enjoy the garden?  Will this be your own private little secret garden, or can you imagine hosting parties there? How will you use it? Will you have an herb garden; grow food, flowers, or perhaps all of the above?  If you have a family, like I do, keep in mind that you may not be the sole inhabitant of your new garden, so get input from all family members on how your outdoor space will be used.

2. Dream a little.

A little dreaming will uncover those attributes that will put your personal imprint on the garden. Now that you have decided on exactly why you want a garden and how you intend to use it, let your imagination play with all the possible features in your special space. Formal gardens are highly structured, divided by a strong central axis and cross axes. Informal gardens have a more natural look with strong, flowing curves. For my outside garden, I went with the informal theme.

3. put together a list of "must haves"

Listing your needs up front ensures that your final plan won't be missing anything important. Will you need a privacy fence, or will you need a retaining wall, a pathway to the garage, or perhaps more parking space? What about pets, or a place to play? Make a note of everything that you consider essential in your proposed garden area, your final design should balance dream features and "must haves" to create a satisfying and functional garden.

4. The essentials you already have.

It really does help to know your starting point to get where you are going, garden-plan-wise. What is essential and stays and what is unnecessary, and has to go. Is your space large or small? Is the site flat or sloping? What is the climate? What type of soil do you have? How much water is available and from what sources? What are the predominate views? This list of questions is not meant to be a show stopper, but the more consideration given to your garden setup the easier it will be to maintain.

5. Your estimated budget.

Once you have determined everything that is necessary to begin developing your garden it's time to consider what you are willing to spend. The dollar figure for your garden will influence what features you include in the final garden plan -- landscape materials, plants, trees and architectural elements such as fountains, benches, or an arbor.

Remember that your "budget" may need to take into consideration two elements: Money and Time. In terms of time, does the garden need to be completed by a certain date or will you (like me) intend to build your garden over time and in stages? Another time consideration is how much time are you willing to budget to maintain your dream garden? Can you spare several hours a week or are you lucky enough to afford to pay someone to take care of your garden for you? Being as flexible as you can be will help, because you may need to spend more money if you can't spend the time and vice versa.

6. I think it's a good idea to identify the focal point of your garden

Every garden needs an eye-catching spot that causes you to pause a moment. Choosing a focal point focuses on the point you want visitors to look when they enter your garden. Did your list of "wants" include a waterfall or fountain, a garden sculpture, or an arbor retreat? Perhaps even a blossoming apple tree? If so, you are well on your way to identifying a focal point -- or points -- for your garden.

7. Make a rough design.

Take all the information that you've gathered and, incorporate it into a workable design that balances the "wants" with the "must haves". Create a space that is both satisfying and functional.

Use a pad of graph paper that contains 8 or 10 squares per inch and let each square equals one foot. (In other words, every square inch on the paper will equate to 8 or 10 feet on your property.) Create a basic map with your property lines and house drawn to scale.

Also have on hand some tracing paper, markers, a tape measure, a ruler, a pencil and a good eraser. Lay the tracing paper over your basic scaled map. Then refer back to your list of "must haves" and "wants" as you sketch the various areas of your garden. Show the approximate position of focal points, activity areas ("rooms") and pathways. Use as many sheets of tracing paper as necessary until you find a layout that pleases you and meets the goal that you identified back in Step 1.

8. Pick your plants and landscape.

The colors and materials that you choose will create the character of your garden, adding interest, movement, and visual appeal. Do you want harmonious colors or strong contrast, warm hues or cool tones, bold colors, or soft hues? Give your garden a strong sense of space by mixing different colors and materials and textures. In addition to plants, hardscape materials contribute variety and texture -- wood arbors, brick borders, gravel paths, bronze statue, and wrought-iron benches.

As you review your preliminary layout, consider the best material for each of the hardscape elements like brick, or rocks, to incorporate into your landscape. Try to make sure that each element fits with and compliments the whole. For example, a terrace constructed of the same material as the house unifies while railroad ties around a formal garden create discord.

9. Make a scale drawing.

So far, you have created a basic map of property lines and your house as well as an overlay sheet that shows focal points, "rooms" and pathways. You also have a list of the trees, shrubs, and plants for each area of your garden. Now you need to create a scale drawing that shows exactly where each feature will go. You will use this blueprint to lay the walkways, set the arbors and trellises, and plant the trees, shrubs, and flowers.

It is important that you have enough information to help you create in reality the garden that you just designed on paper. As long as your scale drawing or blueprint is in, sufficient scale to accomplish that purpose, you will be successful.

10. Just before you start to build.

Be sure to check all local building codes and regulations, before you get started, to make sure that you will be in compliance. Structures such as decks, patios and retaining walls may require a permit from the local city government. Once all permits are in place, you can start to lay out the garden.

When you are finally ready to execute your garden building design and with your scale drawing as a blueprint, use a tape measure to position all structures, walkways, and plants. Be sure to measure accurately so each element in your design fits its assigned space.

If designing a garden space sounds a bit intimidating, don't panic. Just follow these steps one by one and let a garden space unfold that feels right to you. Believe me when I say that starting your own garden can be done!  Don't be afraid to grow your own flowers, herbs, or food no matter how elaborate, or simple your garden space.