How to Build a Hydroponic Garden
Steps
2.Decide how many of each plant to grow.
3.Estimate the size of the area you will need. For example, a combination of 66 cabbage & Silverbeet can be grown in 5 pipes of 4 inch (10.2 cm) round and 3 meters (9.8 ft) long by 2 meters (6.6 ft) wide. The whole unit is therefore 6 meters (19.7 ft) square.
4.Evenly mark and space 4 inch (10.2 cm) holes for the 4 inch (10.2 cm) pots to be placed in them. For the first 3-4 weeks and in hot climates, shade cloth is helpful if used under these conditions.
5.Make up a hydroponic solution of fertilizers and water (or water gel crystals) to a strength of an average of 20-24 CF with an end Ph of 5.5-6.5.
6.Plant your self-raised or bought seedlings (see list of needed items) by taking seedlings out of their pots and carefully washing away most of the soil from the roots. (see tips)
7.Place the clean seedlings in the growing medium, be it perlite rockwool coir clay balls or NFT channelling and into the hydroponic solution.
8.Carefully control the chemical balance of nutrients to water (check daily) by adding mostly water, since the water will mostly evaporate.
9.Watch your plants grow for about 12 - 18 weeks. Help them by keeping pests away and watching for root-rot (when roots go slimy, turn brown and die).
10.Harvest when needed.
11.Flush the entire system after harvest, and sterilise using peroxide and copper solutions to kill bacteria and mold.
