Ideas for setting up a Hydroponic Garden

 backyard projects  No Responses »
Oct 182010
 

The last few weeks I have been spent moving and dividing perennials and deciding how to grow more vegetables and plants indoors this fall and winter by learning and using Hydroponic gardening.

With the cost of food and the overall economy I decided its best to try and grow as much of your own food and plants as possible. It’s friendlier to the environment and by growing your own produce you take pressure of the food supply so that it can be sent where it’s needed.

So hydroponics is an area I am experimenting with. I think it will work better with my climate.

This you tube gives a great breakdown on how to set up a hydroponic garden. And hydroponic growing makes better use of space, which is a plus if you have a small backyard or life in a city or suburb.

The you tube set up is basic and made to be moved and created with cheap materials. This may give you ideas for your own set up.

Gardening indoors in the winter months also makes the cold days pass by quicker and gives you a garden feel to your home. If you give hydroponics a try drop me a message and let me know how it worked for you.

Posted by Denise at 7:33 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Backyard Hydroponic Gardening

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
Oct 142010
 

There is a move towards growing hydroponic gardens.  And I myself find this is an area I want to explore and to add to my gardening experiences.

Hydroponically grown foods taste better and are high in nutrients. I have found hydroponic tomatoes are superior tomatoes particularly in the winter months. You can also grow more plants in a small space than with regular gardening so this style of gardening in perfect for apartment cities and limited space.

There are two types of indoor hydroponic gardens: an active hydroponic area and a passive one.

Active hydroponic systems pass a nutrient solution over the plant roots. To set up such a garden you will need a large sized planting medium like vermiculite, perlite and pea gravel. To make a passive indoor hydroponic system passively you will be providing a system that uses a wick or capillary system to feed your plants. The wick, which works like a kerosene lamp, sucks your nutrient solution via its reservoir, to the root system of the plant. Sand, peat moss or sawdust is the usual medium used passive hydroponics.

Hydroponic gardening is quite easy to begin. You need a lot of natural light for the best results. A sunroom or greenhouse is ideal. And if you use solar heating you will establish an econ friendly and cheap growing environment.

Easy Hydroponics

The first thing to do when learning how to make an indoor hydroponic garden is to decide exactly what you want to grow. Ask yourself these questions.
How many of each plant you want.
How much area will you need to grow your desired quantity of plants? Use the Internet or a hydroponic garden book to determine spacing.

You will need plastic piping and 4 inch diameter pots. Shade cloth is helpful for the first month, particularly if the growing climate is very warm. Mix fertilizer and water to a strength of 20 to 24 CF. If this is your first attempt at hydroponics have a reliable source of information available for plant mixes. The resulting pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5 for your plants.

Rinse the seedlings to remove any dirt before planting them. And don’t be too generous with nutrients. Hydroponic plants can cope with a low supply of nutrients but can die if you give them too much. My rule of thumb when beginning is to err on the low side.

Cubed chopped rockwool or fired clay are recommended as growing mediums but you can use chopped rockwool, rockwool slabs, rockwool blocks or cubes or fired clay and rockwool and expect good results form your hydroponic garden.

I look for the supplies I need from friends and as salvaged products. This would include pots, piping, cloth and growing materials. It cuts down of the expense of setting up your first garden.

Planting your hydroponic plants

  • Plant the seedlings in the hydroponic solution.
  • Check the water daily if you want to successfully learn how to make an indoor hydroponic system. This ensures the nutrient to water ratio is right.
  • Remember that Water evaporates which is why you have to keep an eye on it. Hydroponic gardening is not for you if you can’t check your water ratio frequently.
  • Your hydroponic plants will grow for 3 to 5 months. Overall you will not have many problems if you set the garden up correctly but you will have to watch out for root rot and pests.
  • You will know when you plants are ready to harvest. This part of gardening remains the same.

It can be expensive to set up an indoor hydroponic system the first time but the results are well worth it. You have fresh healthy vegetables and plants available all year long. You may even want to share or sell the extra crops and plants to friends and neighbors

Posted by Denise at 8:46 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

How to Create a Tutti-Fruity Herb Garden

 Backyard Garden  No Responses »
Sep 282010
 

One of the more entertaining backyard activities is introducing your child to gardening. Herbs are easy to grow, have many unique characteristics and will get your child asking questions abut gardening and what herbs are.

One fun and different child’s  garden is a tutti fruity herb garden. All the herbs will smell like their favorite fruits or candy. A tutti-fruity herb garden will introduce the child to the idea of growing an aromatic herb garden and that gardening can be fun. Be sure to explain to your child that these herbs are for smelling only and that no one should ever eat anything in the garden without asking an adult first. This even pertains to vegetables. Your children should know not to eat anything that they haven’t shown you first.

You can make a day out of creating a tutti-fruity herb garden by taking them to your local gardening center or greenhouse and letting them select a few of their favorite scents. You may want to include a few soft and touchable herbs for more color and interest.

Good plants to let children try are pineapple sage, lemon balm, or any of the scented geraniums. Scented geraniums come in scents like apricot, lime, orange, and strawberry. Children also enjoy plants in the mint family, especially peppermint, spearmint and chocolate mint. Chocolate mint is a favorite for children of all ages!

A few other positive points in herb gardening is that they take little small, grow well in containers and can be grown indoor and all year long if your child enjoys growing plants.  They will also make a great windowsill garden or hanging basket garden.

Letting your child grow his or her own herb garden is a fun way to learn about nature, gardening, and cooking. It will also give your child a sense of accomplishment, create curiosity about nature and boost self-esteem. Gardening is a wonderful hobby that you and your children and enjoy for years to come and have fond memories of summer, gardens and growing experiences.

Posted by Denise at 10:05 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Growing Potatoes in Small Spaces

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
Aug 092010
 

You can grow potatoes in small garden areas, even on patios, balconies or in cities. With planning the backyard oasis will be a perfect place for a crop of potatoes.

One of the easiest ways to grow potatoes in a small area is in  a garden basket or wire cage, Using this method you actually grow the potato above ground.

This you tube will give you ideas on how to plant potatoes using this method.

One advantage of growing potatoes or other ground crops using a method like this it that harvesting is much easier. And for a more festive look add vines near the container or flowers and create a mini garden area.

There are many root crops that can be grown in baskets or wire cages. And depending on how the growing area is set up you can extend your growing season or even move the crop indoors.

Just because you live in a city or don’t own a lot of land does not mean you can not have a successful garden. You will have to learn how to plant in small spaces and make the most of the soil you have.

Posted by Denise at 9:18 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Grow an Urban Garden

 Small Space Garden  2 Responses »
Jun 042009
 

More people are returning to gardening and urban gardens are popping up anywhere a small unused space with adequate lighting can be found. Many suburbs and apartments have limited land or space, but urban gardens can be successfully planted using creative gardening techniques. Mint
Creative Commons License photo credit: briannaorg

First determine what plants you want to grow. Many flowers are edible and herbs also have culinary uses and add beauty to a garden. In small space gardening, a fundamental idea in urban gardening, it’s best to choose plants with multiple uses.

Herbs add color to the home but also have medicinal, crafting and culinary uses. And many flowers are edible.

Next decide on whether you will plants seeds or transplants. Seeds germinate quickly, will be a cheaper alternative in the long run and offer you a larger selection of varieties. Transplants will get your garden area going quicker and add a lush garden look to your living space instantly. And if you live in a shorter growing climate transplants will help you achieve a crop of produce quicker. But transplants are more expensive.

After selecting your crops you want to grow its time to tackle the urban gardeners biggest problem, space. Hanging planters, window boxes, container gardening and vertical gardening ideas will help with limited space issues. These topics should help with limited growing space.

Small Garden Design

Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets

A Very Berry Theme Garden
Vegetables can easily be grown in the urban garden. Tomato plants grow well in hanging baskets, as do strawberries. When selecting seeds or transplants for vegetables look for the small vegetable varieties, Mini pumpkins, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes are a few ideas.

And vining plants grown up a trellis will add more vegetables, flowers and privacy to your small urban garden setting. I like to mix vegetables and vining flowers on the same trellis for color and use. For example the scarlet runner bean has a beautiful flower and an excellent taste.

Fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, vine peach, miniature melons and even potted fruit trees will also grow in containers. A small space fruit garden will add an oasis feel to your home.

One other consideration for the urban gardener is adequate light or shade. Research your plant and garden selections to determine the light they need.

Plants that need more shade may do well on a porch area or balcony. Containers gardens have the option of being moved if the plants are receiving too much light and can be moved on a porch or behind a trellis or screen.

For plants that need abundant light, like tomatoes and peppers, locations with 8 hours of light are a look choice; porches, sun rooms and window boxes will also work well.

Urban gardens that get the right amount of light, proper soil and water will produce large crops and add color and fragrance to you small space garden area. You will also get a feel of more space with the lush rich look these plants will add to your home.

Posted by Denise at 10:06 am  Tagged with: ,
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