DIY: Set Up A Hydroponic Farm At Home

Hydroponics is a way to produce food anywhere in the world, at any time of the year, and to net higher yields with fewer resources. By substituting a different material instead of soil to support the roots of the plant, crops are grown directly in nutrient-rich water. With its ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture, hydroponic farming gained immense popularity.

Documented even by the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, the latest century has seen tremendous developments in the field of hydroponics. Hydroponics was even used during World War II to supply troops stationed on non-arable lands with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems. Another reason behind the popularity of hydroponic farming is that it can be instrumental in helping end world hunger and making the world cleaner.

A basic hydroponic farm requires only a few materials like freshwater, oxygen, nutrients, light, and root support such as peat moss or coconut husk. While there are other elements to sophisticate a hydroponic farm, like CO2 supplementation, the above-mentioned are the essential elements of any hydroponic system. Monitoring and adjusting these variables can precisely suggest what the plants need to thrive now and in the future.

Different Kinds Of Hydroponic Systems

There are six major types of hydroponic systems and more than hundreds of variations then made by combining them.

1. Wick System

It is the simplest type of hydroponic system because there are no moving parts involved. There is a nutrient solution reservoir from which the solution is drawn into the growing medium with a wick. The growing medium can be perlite, vermiculite, or even coconut fiber. A drawback of this system is that plants that are large or use large amounts of water may utilize the nutrient solution faster than the wick can supply it.

2. Water Culture System

Being an inexpensive system that can be made out of an old aquarium or other water-tight containers, the water culture system is the simplest of all active hydroponic systems. A Styrofoam platform that holds the plants is floated directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air to the nutrient solution and oxygen to the roots of the plants. Large plants or long-term plants are highly unsuited to this system.

3. Ebb And Flow System

By temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining it back into the reservoir, the ebb and flow system is versatile system. Normally done with a submerged pump that is connected to a timer, the timer turns the pump on a nutrient solution to be pumped into the grow tray. When the timer shuts the pump off the nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir.

Depending on the size and type of plants, temperature, humidity, and the type of growing medium used, the timer is set to turn on at regular intervals. Unfortunately, this system is susceptible to dangers due to power outages.

4. Drip System  

Drip systems are the most widely used type of hydroponic system in the world and are the best for someone dipping their toes into this type of farming. It is simple, a submerged pump is controlled by a timer. This way, the pump is switched on so that nutrient solution can be dripped onto the base of each plant by a small drip line. Even though it requires extra care while setting up, this is the most suitable for beginners to implement at home.

5. Nutrient Film Technique

Nutrient Film Technique systems have a constant flow of nutrient solution without a timer for the submersible pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the growing tray to flow over the roots of the plants and then drain back into the reservoir. There is no growing medium used other than air and the plant is supported in a small plastic basket with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.

6. Aeroponic System

The aeroponic system is a high-tech type of hydroponic gardening with the growing medium being primarily air. The hanging roots are misted with a nutrient solution every few minutes. A timer controls the nutrient pump much like other types of hydroponic systems and since the roots are exposed to the air, they will dry out rapidly if the misting cycles are interrupted.

What To Grow In A Hydroponic Farm?

Growers have found that some plants take to hydroponics like a duck to water while others frustrate the growers. Durable, fast-growing plants that do not require much care are the best to get started with.

 

●      Lettuce as well as most other leafy greens is one of the first plants to try a hydroponic system. With a shallow root system to match their short above-ground height, there is no need to tie stakes or set guides for the plant. Regular change of the nutrient solution is enough for them to yield produce.

●      Spinach grows quickly in a hydroponic system, particularly when the nutrient solution is highly oxygenated. Growing spinach this way requires less water than in an in-the-ground garden.

●      Strawberries are seasonal and the trucked-in berries begin deteriorating as soon as they are picked. With hydroponics, strawberries can be grown all year long. Being easy to harvest and convenient to cultivate, strawberries seem to do best as a batch of small crops.

●      A wide variety of herbs work wonderfully in hydroponic gardening. Hydroponic herbs have been reported to be more flavorful and aromatic than those grown in the field. Herbs like basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and watercress that are utilized daily are all great options.

Some plants that hydroponic growers should stay away from include radishes and potatoes. These plants are picky about the medium they grow in and may not reach their potential in hydroponic farms. Peas, pole beans, nasturtium, and hops are other sets of plants that drain nutrients and water from the hydroponic system too rapidly for the crop to be economical.

Even though tomatoes are successful in hydroponic systems, sometimes they may require extra attention before they take root. Plants that outgrow the system, like fruit trees and shrub-like plants, do not do well in the limited space of a hydroponic farm. 

Step-By-Step Guide For Hydroponic Farming

1. Choose a location and estimate the space needed for the system. Also, consider the type of seeds being planted and the recommended spacing for these varieties.

2. Decide what you want to grow and purchase the hydroponic seeds. Remember to buy seeds that won't cause much trouble during the first attempt at hydroponic farming. Seedlings or runners from a hardware or plant store also do well in such systems.
3. After deciding on the variety and number of plants, start your seeds. Plant them in a warm spot with the required water like a seedling heating mat. Ideally, they should be started 3-5 days before building a hydroponic system.

Mark and create holes with spaces in between for the pots to be placed in them. Placing a shade cloth over the setup for the first 3-4 weeks and in hot climates is a recommended practice.

4. Using water and the best hydroponic nutrients or fertilizers, prepare the nutrient solution. Ensure that the solution contains only the recommended pH.
5. To plant the seedlings, carefully take them out of their pots and gently wash away the soil from the roots. Place these seedlings into the growing medium and then into the hydroponic solution.

6. Monitor the solution daily and control the chemical balance of water to nutrients since the water usually evaporates. Constant vigilance while waiting for the plants to grow helps keep the pests away and watch for root rot.

7. Some plants need to be pruned while they are growing. Pruning serves many purposes like keeping the plants tidy, manipulating fruit size, and even hastening to ripen.

8. Harvest the yield once they are mature. After harvesting, flush the entire system using peroxide to sterilize and copper solutions to kill mold and bacteria.

Dos And Don'ts  

Hydroponic farming saves space and resources for the farmer. Depending on the chosen type, it can be extremely simple or complex. Yet, there are some rules of thumb every hydroponic farmer should keep in mind to have a flourishing hydroponic farm at home.

Here are some dos and don'ts for every hydroponic farmer:

Dos

●      Do plenty of research before stepping into the practical parts. Research may seem inconsequential but it will be beneficial when doubts arise mid-setup. 

●      Make lighting a priority and understand why supplemental lighting is critical.

●      Testing and monitoring the system regularly shows alerts of any water quality or nutrient issues. That means sudden spikes or drops in pH or nutrient levels can be corrected before it negatively affects the plants.

Don'ts

●      Use regular fertilizer from the garden and hardware store.

●      Overplant since it can force the plants to fight for the resources which hinder their proper growth.

●      Plant varieties that have contrasting requirements. 

In Conclusion

Hydroponically grown foods not only taste better but are more nutritional as well. This way one can monitor what goes into their food and causes less pollution. It is great for those who do not have a backyard to grow food in. With the right plant selection, pests can be easily kept away too.