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HYDROPONICS

This section provides a basic understanding of the principles of hydroponics and hydroculture. In it's most basic form Hydroponics or Soilless gardening, is a method of growing plants without soil. Balanced natural nutrients are mixed with water to provide all of the necessary foods needed by a plant.

With hydroponic gardening you can grow with confidence and achieve wonderful results:

• better quality plants and quicker growth
• less labour, time and cost
• no dirt or mess
• consistent results

.NFT GARDEN
This type of system is called Nutrient Film Technique. Water is continuously circulated down a trough (like a miniature meandering stream with the plants roots set into the stream). Originally built for commercial use, this "water drive" system is easily built for the home grower but is the least desirable. If there is a power failure the "creek" stops running, thus depriving your plants of food and water. When growing larger crops, such as tomatoes, the root mass can get large enough to cause irregular water flow and low oxygen levels through the root mass

.DRIP IRRIGATION GARDEN
This "water drive" system uses a water pump to circulate the water from a reservoir, through a main feed line and then into individual drip lines leading to the grow mediums of each plant in the system. This system is ideal for larger garden areas and greenhouses, as the reservoir can be located some distance from the grow beds. It also allows you to expand your system by simply adding a new drip line for each new plant added.

PLANNING AN ACTIVE GARDEN
The following topics are guidelines for consideration during your planning of your active garden.

What Do You Want To Plant
Knowing what you want to grow is the starting point as it will influence the type of ventilation, temperature, lighting and the hydroponic garden system that is needed.

Type And Number of Gardens
Once you have decided what to grow, separate your list into those plants with large root systems and those with small ones. Separate the list further into common maturity dates (common life spans). You can now decide upon what types and sizes of hydroponic gardens that you will require. For example, use type of garden for lettuce, spinach, bok choy, etc. and another type for snow peas, tomatoes, peppers, etc

.What Lighting Is Required
The type of light you will require will be affected by what and how much you wish to grow. Lettuce, herbs and most flowers, as well as some larger variety crop, can be grown under fluorescent lights effectively. However, as the fluorescent light must be kept close to the plants, care and attention to crop management is needed. Fluorescent lighting is ideal for confined areas. The best light for larger general purpose gardening is a phosphorus coated 1000 watt metal halide. Easy to mount, this light allows the gardener to move freely about the garden as it can be located some distance from the crop. One light will effectively provide energy for both short term and long term crops at the same time. There are a wide variety of other types of horticultural lights (like sodium's) designed to perform a wide range of specific functions. The use of a lighting track increases the effectiveness of your light and thus improves the productivity of your garden. A timer will also be needed to control the amount of light your plant receives. It should be properly grounded and have at least two on/off operations per day.

Temperature Control
Depending on the type of light being used you may or may not require heating in your garden. Lights provide a degree of electrical heat which may be adequate. If your indoor area cools down appreciatively when the lights are turned off, you may want to use a water heater in the reservoir to maintain root temperature. However, most areas will already be heated by your home heating system and temperature control can be achieved through proper ventilation. It is important to be able to partially cool the air around such crops as lettuce to prevent bolting, so location winter lettuce gardens under or near a window is ideal

.Ventilation Control
Your garden will need a gentle constant flow of air circulating amidst your plants. This can be accomplished with a small fan set on the floor and pointed towards the ceiling. A forced air duct from your furnace with the furnace fan motor switched to constant will also do the trick

.Humidity Control
Although plants love a degree of humidity, too much leads to the risk of disease. If the garden is large, with many plants, it is advisable to devise a method for removing some of the humidity. One way is to install an exhaust fan and fresh air vent. Many home gardeners run a duct, using a plastic dryer vent hose, from the garden area to a cold air return vent for their forced air return furnaces. Excess humidity from the garden can be distributed through the rest of the house to increase the humidity during the winter months. In air tight garden areas where outside ventilation is not possible, use a dehumidifier to remove water from the air

.Water Requirements
For those gardeners using chlorinated water sources it is necessary to fill a barrel or a large plastic container so the water may "air" for 24 hours. This will allow the chlorine to disappear before the water is used in the plants. It may also be necessary to adjust the pH level. This barrel can new be used for all your house plants. A further convenience to be considered for larger gardens is the simple installation of a plastic drain line to simplify grow solutions changes.

Colors In Your Garden
The best color for your grow room is bright white enamel or, as an alternative, a sheet of reflective plastic can be hung on the walls and from the ceiling and laid down for the floor. This sheeting also aids in possible water spillage. The use of silver reflecting materials is excellent for keeping radiant heat in the growing area but it is not as efficient for light reflection as a white surface.

Make Room For The Gardener
One of the most common mistakes in planning an indoor garden is the failure to plan space for the gardener. You must have easy access to all parts of the crop in order to manage it well. A garden of small seedlings can quickly become an unmanageable jungle so do not be tempted to over plant. Make sure to plan adequate pathways so there is easy access to your crop.

Get Growing
A garden begins with the germination of seeds and the raising of the seedlings. Some seeds may be planted directly into the garden or you may prefer to use germinating trays and vermiculite or better yet use Rockwool starter cubes to start seedlings before transplanting into the garden later. Your growing solution is prepared by adding plant food with water. This growing solution will need to be changed several times throughout the life of your garden. Regular checks and adjustments of the pH level of your growing solution should be made during the entire growing cycle. As your garden grows the plants will consume far more water than plant food. Extra water will have to be added to maintain the level of growing solution. Don't forget to check the pH of the water before adding it to the grow solution. Managing the plants in your garden will take up the majority of your time spent in the garden. There will be pruning to do and plants to tie up. Flowers will need pollinating and, of course, there will be harvesting to be done. At the end of each crop, the plants will have to be cut down and removed. The roots must be taken out of the grow medium and the garden cleaned. Before you can begin your next crop, the medium has to be either replaced of thoroughly cleaned and sterilized with a little bleach and water.

Happy Growing!