Maybe you have gotten your feet wet by growing some tomatoes on your porch or making yourself an herb garden for the deck. If you are interested in branching out so that you can have produce available to you year round, hydroponics might be the perfect solution for you.
Hydroponic gardens can make it possible for you to grow your own produce that has not been treated with chemicals or modified in any way and it is also a great way to help the environment out by reducing your dependence on factory farming.
What is it?
Growing hydroponic plants in your home basically means that you are using a nutrient-filled water solution to support the plants rather than using a dirt medium. This medium can just be water or it might also have fired clay balls or have fiberglass in it. You can even use air as your medium! This is a great basic hydroponics guide to get you started with the answers to some common questions.
How do I set it up?
There are lots of handy kits out there that you can buy to get your hydroponic plants started. Most cities have a supplier but you can also shop on Amazon for your kit. A good kit will allow moisture to drain off your plants and will make it easy for you to stream the nutrient liquid onto the plants as well. You can also set up a bubbler system which will aerate the growing medium and provide nutrients to the plants. You will not need too much space for your garden which makes it a good fit even for those living in an apartment.
If you need to provide some climate control for your plants, you will need to add a grow tent to your hydroponic set up. These nifty items are like a big zippered canvas room that you can put your plants into to aid in the growing process. They often fit neatly into closets or the corner of the room and can help you to keep the right amount of light on your garden as well. Many people who are new to hydroponics do not realize how much this clever item can help them out.
What Can I Grow?
Hydroponics are a very flexible growing method and can help you to grow nearly anything inside your home or apartment. You can grow flowers, herbs, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, cabbage and broccoli, eggplant, beans and even strawberries! Items like strawberries and beans will require more space than some people may have to work with, so it is important to do a little research before you pick which crops that you want to try to grow.
Conclusion
If hydroponics sound like a great way to improve your diet while also helping the planet, go for it! You can do a quick search online and find many options for the best hydroponics system for your needs. Always check out the reviews and make sure that you remember to buy your grow tent as well! In a matter of weeks, you will be well on your way to helping out the environment and also growing delicious food in the comfort of your home.