How To Build Your Own Hydroponic System

The DIY gardener is always looking for new ways to grow his plants bigger and better. One technique that has picked up steam in recent years is hydroponic gardening. If you have wondered how to build your own hydroponic system, you are in luck. Today, there is a plethora of information and supplies available to help you build your own hydroponic system and grow vegetables, herbs and flowers without the use of any soil whatsoever. This article will provide the basics of a hydroponic system so you can get started on your own special garden.

Collecting Supplies
One of the best things about learning to build your own hydroponic system is that it doesn’t take a huge amount of supplies to get started. First, you will need a container to house your plants. Any plastic tub or bucket will do the job. Next, you need a planting medium that might consist of vermiculite, sand, Styrofoam or Rockwool. This substance will house your plants' roots as well as the water and nutrients. You also need a system to get the water and nutrients to the roots of your plants. This can be done through an active system like a pump. Or you can use a passive system that consists of a wick that absorbs the nutrients for the plants.

Setting it Up
Once you have all of your supplies collected, you are ready to learn how to build your own hydroponic system. The first step will be to start seeds indoors. Growing cubes might be the best solution for this step, since they can be easily placed in your growing medium after your build your own hydroponic system. The container you choose for your plants should not let sunlight into the plant roots, so if it is glass or another translucent material, cover or paint it. Place your growing medium into your container and place your plants on top of the growing medium once they have sprouted. You will also need to install your nutrient distribution, whether you are doing that through a wick, drip or pump system.

Monitoring your Garden
After you build your own hydroponic system and place your plants inside, you will need to monitor it regularly to ensure your plants are getting everything they need to thrive. Regular testing of the growing medium will tell you if the plants are getting sufficient nutrition. This is especially important with the pH of your water, so keep a pH test kit handy for just this purpose. The good news is that you should not need to worry about pests getting to your plants, since most pests originate in traditional soil conditions.

Learning how to build your own hydroponic system can be a great way to expand your green thumb. It is also the perfect solution for gardeners who have limited space or poor soil conditions. Once you know how to build your own hydroponic system, the sky will be the limit in terms of how and when you can garden.