Hydroponic Gardening, For A 'Soil-Free' Garden!

Gardening

oi-Gowri Nandini

By Nandhini Devi

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 12:05

Want to learn the a new way of gardening? One which does not need soil? Then, try hydroponics, a new method to grow plants without using soil. Instead, hydroponic gardening uses water to grow plants. Mineral nutrient solutions are used in water to grow plants of different types.

There are two methods involved in hydroponic gardening – solution and medium culture. The former uses on a nutrient solution to grow plants, while the latter uses a solid medium for the roots such as coconut husk, pumice, sand, mineral wool or gravel.

Steps to build a hydroponics garden:

1.The first important step in hydroponic gardening system is to decide the type and quantity of plants that you are planning to grow. You can grow your garden indoors or outdoors.

2.Collect the following items to create your hydroponic gardening system, water hoses, air and water pumps, pipes and drums.

3.Dissolve the plant nutrients that are in the inorganic and ionic form, in water. The plant nutrient solutions can be purchased from nutrient manufactures.

4.Depending on the plant type, make equidistant holes in the pipes.

5.Wash off all the soil from the saplings you intend to plant.

6.Carefully place the saplings in the water.

7.Check and add water whenever required. Purchase a Ph tester and CF meter to check the nutrient level in the water.

8.Ensure that your plants get enough sunlight and plenty of air too. Regularly check the roots, as they might rot and die. Keep away pests.

9.Once your vegetables grow, harvest them.

10.Clean out the entire system using copper and peroxide solutions, so that all bacteria is killed. Then repeat the process of growing your plants.

Before you start your hydroponic garden, make sure have lots of energy and time to monitor your plants constantly. Your care is most important for your hydroponic garden.