Hydroponics

Hydroponics is growing garden plants in a medium such as rock wool instead of soil, usually indoors with plenty of water.

Hydroponics - 3/24-3/30/2025

Monday, March 24, 2025

Now I have 2 banana shoots coming up from the banana tree that was cut for winter. I wonder how fast they will grow. This is my first banana tree experience.

It is 5pm and our automatic gate just closed. We did not have one customer in here today. Very strange for a Monday, indeed. It was a very busy day. I got up early and balanced my checkbook. I then paid the monthly bills for our household as well as the monthly business bills. After that, I made breakfast, did the dishes, got ready to work, printed out orders, and then went out to start closing Amazon orders. There were over 500 of those to be pulled and closed. All four of us did that for several hours.

During that time, one of the church members stopped by to pick some asparagus. He got quite a good haul. The mailman, UPS, Encino Pest Control, Amazon and the pizza man came by but that was it. We sprang for pizza for lunch. It was pretty good and there was enough left over that I didn't have to cook tonight. That was nice.

It is 89° Fahrenheit now with blue skies, not a drop of rain. They say we have another chance at rain on Thursday but I will believe it when I see it.

I have another 121 orders to fill and close but I don't suppose there is enough time left to do it today.

I don't believe we will be selling our place any time soon and moving as the realtors who evaluated it say we wouldn't get but about half of what we were expecting to get. We have put a whole lot into this property and we are not giving it away.

Asparagus is shooting up faster than we can pick it!

We picked purple asparagus to enjoy.

It has been quite a day. I have cleaned up all sorts of messes all throughout the day, did laundry, washed dishes, washed and packed eggs and locked the place up. It was payday so I got to write checks for us. The animals are doing well. Still no babies from Alice but George and Gracie are doing well. They are three weeks old today. Time flies.

I've spent the last few hours watching some old Lucy videos this evening, things I'd never before seen. When I say Lucy, I mean the incomparable Lucille Ball. She has always been my favorite actress since before I started school at the age of four. I really enjoyed those videos this evening. Anyway, it is time to give the dogs their final treat of the night before bed. Good night.

Hydroponics

Businesses can succeed growing hydroponically by providing stores and/or restaurants with fresh produce. Of course, there are special licenses you must have.

Hey there, fellow gardeners! Ever dreamt of fresh, homegrown veggies but felt limited by a small yard or even no yard at all? Guess what? You can still have a thriving garden, indoors! It's called hydroponics, and it's simpler than you think.

Hydroponics is basically growing plants without soil. Yep, you heard that right! Instead of soil, the plants get their nutrients from a water-based solution, delivered right to their roots. This means you can grow food anywhere, anytime, regardless of the weather or your yard size.

So, when should you consider hydroponics? Well, if you're short on space, hydroponics is a game-changer. It's perfect for apartments, balconies, or even just a sunny corner in your living room. It is also a good thing to have in a greenhouse or a high tunnel. David has a large unit that he built from simple PVC pipes from Home Depot.

Hydroponics also comes in handy if you have poor soil quality. No need to worry about amending soil or dealing with pests and diseases that live in the ground.

Plus, hydroponics can be a fun and educational project for the whole family. It's a great way to teach kids about plant growth and where their food comes from.

David loves to grow things in a homemade hydroponics unit he keeps in his high tunnel. Lettuce turns out beautifully.

You can pay a lot for a hydroponics unit or you can make your own from PVC pipes like David does. He drills holes in the pipes and puts little hydroponic baskets that hold rock wool. Rock wool is the medium that you place your seeds in. It holds the seeds in place so they don't wash away as the water runs through the pipes.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Earlier, there was a small band of fog in the field.

Good morning. It is Tuesday already. I woke up at 6am and it was 67°. That is nuts. Spring just got here and the forecast is calling for 90° Fahrenheit today. That is way too hot, way too fast.

As far as I know, we will be staying at the farm today. We do have some planting to do. We are way behind.

Michelle will be coming out to clean the house today. It needs it for sure.

Now that band of fog has spread out and up. I think it looks so cool.

The fog is spreading now in the field. It normally does this in the fall.

I planted some purple potatoes as well as 3 kinds of others.

At 9am, Matt and I went out and we started planting. I planted an entire bed of seed potatoes, four different varieties. Then we planted Juicebox watermelon, Kajari melon, Sugar Cube cantaloupe, Scarlet Runner beans, Honeynut Butternut squash, Patty Pan scallop squash, and Pink Banana Jumbo squash. It was almost noon by then so I went in and changed. Matt ran off to go get lunch for everyone. In between plantings, a couple came from not too far away and bought some seeds.

The Crawford lettuce is coming up in the grow tower and it looks amazing.

My Crawford lettuce seeds are sprouting in the store grow tower so I was excited about that.

While we were trying to plant the runner beans, Matt discovered that carrots without the tops were still in the bed. We pulled those up.

Matt pulling up carrots where we are planting runner beans.

We have a whole bowl full of large carrots to enjoy.

I closed orders all afternoon. We had three separate customers today. I closed up the store and fed the fish. I found a snake in the pond. Fun times!

Hydroponics

This shows a commercial growing farm in a warehouse using hydroponics. Farms can make a lot of money growing food commercially indoors.

Now, how do you actually *do* hydroponics? Let's break it down step by step. First, you'll need to choose a hydroponic system. There are several different types, each with its own pros and cons.

One popular method is the Deep Water Culture (DWC) system. In this system, the plant roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich solution, constantly oxygenated by an air pump.

Another common method is the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). Here, a thin film of nutrient solution flows continuously over the plant roots, providing a constant supply of food and water.

There's also the Ebb and Flow system, where the plant roots are periodically flooded with nutrient solution and then allowed to drain. This mimics the natural wetting and drying cycle of soil.

Once you've chosen your system, you'll need to gather your supplies. This includes a grow tray, a reservoir for your nutrient solution, a water pump, an air pump (for some systems), grow lights, and of course, your plants and a good seed to start with.

Next, you'll need to prepare your nutrient solution. You can buy pre-made solutions or mix your own using specific hydroponic nutrients. It's important to get the right balance of nutrients for optimal plant growth.

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

The clouds are getting thicker by the minute. Will they bring rain?

Well, Matt had off from work today so I had to get up and go take care of all of the animals. Unfortunately, I woke up several times in the night and then slept past 7am. I took care of everyone outside and it was overcast and warm, in the 70s. I went back in and made breakfast.

Then I had to write some checks for work. I started pulling and closing orders and it got darker. I made lunch and missed the mailman.

David made a grocery order and it arrived just as the pouring rain did. David and the delivery driver got quite wet. I continued to pull orders during that time.

Some of the groceries are still on the deck in the rain in this photo.

It is now 4:30pm and it is raining again. I need to go get some things from the store to close orders. I also need to collect eggs and put everyone away for the night but I will get wet. For much of the afternoon, we did not have internet. When it rains, we don't. We had zero in person customers today which is good because I cannot ring them up without internet.

I fed the fish and closed up shop at 4:45pm. I then went out in the pouring rain to collect eggs and put everyone away for the wet night. I got the eggs and gave the girls their favorite worms. From afar, I could see Alice, the pregnant goat, out in the pouring rain near Norton's fence.

I finished up with the chickens and walked on over in the rain to the goat area. Alice was still in the very same spot but it never dawned on me why. Call me slow...

I went in where Trixie and the twins were warm and dry. I filled the feed dishes and fed Norton through the wall like I always do. As I did this, I called to Alice to come in but she just wouldn't.

I finished up and went outside to her. Only then did I realize that she was soaking wet for a reason. I did not stop to take a photo of her in the rain but her whole head was through the fence and she was stuck. As I approached, she tried to run forward through the fence so I would not touch her.

I bent the fence some and tried moving her head around. I realized that I would have to bring the horns back through first and then the rest of her head. Poor baby was so scared and wet. There was no blood. She was not cut. I finally managed to lower her head enough to get her horns through the hole. The rest of her head then followed. She was free and she ran into the shelter and shook herself. I wouldn't be surprised if she has her babies tonight since it was a traumatic situation.

If it hadn't been raining, I might have taken a photo but it was pouring and Alice was so uncomfortable and wet. It took me about 5 minutes to get her unstuck.

This morning when I took care of Norton, there were no holes in the fence, no breaks. Norton has been pushing on the fence day and night so my guess is that he, not Alice, broke that hole in the fence. Tomorrow, we have to put up more fence there before someone gets hurt. We will be hooking up the electric fence so Norton stays away from the fence. He is always trying to find a weak spot to get out. The fence wires were put up incorrectly so it shorted out. David himself will have to get out there and do it.

Alice is finally free and ran inside in the twinkling of an eye!

I changed out of my soaking wet clothes and then made a delicious dinner--boneless chicken, garden fresh carrots, garden asparagus, and some potatoes that I cut up and put in the air fryer with olive oil and seasoning. It is now 8:50pm and it is still raining. This is great!

David and I are watching a Clint Eastwood film, The Mule. It is pretty good. We love Clint.

David bought Trump some new toys this evening and he is loving them. They are squeaky balls with faces on them. He keeps playing with one and then dropping it next to me or on me and then gets it again. The little dude really likes me and wants to share his spitty toys with me. He is such a good boy.

The Weather Channel app shows it will be raining through Friday here. I surely hope so. This is the first rain we have had in months. The wildflowers are few and far between because there has been no water for them to grow.

Hydroponics

Most of us won't have giant units to grow food. This can be scaled down to fit your home or greenhouse area.

Now, it's time to plant! You can start your seeds in a growing medium like rockwool or coco coir, then transfer them to your hydroponic system once they've sprouted. Actually, David does not start the plants first. He puts the seeds into the rock wool and let's them sprout in there. He has not had any problems.

Once your plants are in their hydroponic system, you'll need to monitor the pH and nutrient levels of your solution regularly. This ensures your plants are getting the right amount of food.

You'll also need to provide adequate lighting. Indoor hydroponic gardens typically require grow lights to mimic sunlight.

With proper care and attention, your hydroponic garden will thrive, providing you with fresh, delicious produce year-round. It's a rewarding experience, and anyone can do it!

So, what do you need to get started with hydroponics? Let's make a checklist.

First, you'll need a hydroponic system. This could be a simple DWC setup or a more complex NFT system. Choose one that fits your space and budget. Or you can just go to Home Depot and buy PVC, drill holes, fill holes with the proper baskets, rock wool, and seeds from David's Garden Seeds®.

Next, you'll need to choose some seeds. Choose varieties that are well-suited for hydroponic growing from the best seed provider you can find (and that is us!).

You'll also need a grow medium, such as rockwool or coco coir, to support your plants.

A nutrient solution is essential for providing your plants with the necessary nutrients.

A water pump and an air pump (for some systems) are needed to circulate and oxygenate the nutrient solution.

Grow lights are crucial for providing adequate light for your plants, especially indoors.

Finally, you'll need some basic gardening tools, such as pH meters and measuring cups, to monitor and adjust your nutrient solution.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Rain is over 1 inch but less than 1 and 1/4 inches. It is still coming down...

Good morning. It rained all night long and is still raining. We are now past the one inch mark on the rain gauge. This is a lot of rain for us because it has been months since the last time we saw water fall from the sky! I went out on the back deck and took the above photo just a few minutes ago.

Our first roses of 2025. I took this photo yesterday morning before the rain began. Isn't it beautiful?

Matt is already here this morning and took care of the animals in the pouring rain. I told him to keep the girls inside their pen today until we can fix that fence so Alice does not get trapped again. She did not have her babies overnight. Also, I don't want her to have her babies out in the mud and I don't want the twins to get out there and get separated from their mama. I wanted to fix the fence today but that can't be done right in the rain.

It rained on and off the whole day and at 6pm, it is still overcast. We did not have a single customer again. Orders are way down. I get why...food prices are ridiculously high at the grocery store and people just don't have extra income to buy stuff they don't need.

We are all still here working. The animals are fine. No new babies.

The zinnias that I planted on Saturday are starting to come up. Soon they will make the garden beds look so pretty. Hopefully, the rain will make the wildflowers come up, even though it is late now. It is supposed to start raining again within a few minutes so I am going to dash in and work on dinner as I am starving.

Hydroponics

There are professional farms that grow food by hydroponics.

Now, let's dive a little deeper into how hydroponics actually works. The magic of hydroponics lies in delivering nutrients directly to the plant roots.

In traditional gardening, plants get their nutrients from the soil. But in hydroponics, we bypass the soil altogether.

Instead, the plant roots are immersed in, or constantly misted with, a nutrient-rich solution. This solution contains all the essential elements that plants need to grow.

Because the nutrients are delivered directly to the roots, hydroponic plants can absorb them much more efficiently than plants grown in soil.

This leads to faster growth rates and higher yields. Plus, it conserves water, as the nutrient solution is recirculated.

Hydroponics is a sustainable and efficient way to grow food, especially in urban environments.

It's a fantastic option for anyone who wants to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce, regardless of their space limitations.

So, are you ready to give hydroponics a try? It's easier than you think, and the rewards are plentiful.

Imagine having fresh herbs and vegetables at your fingertips, year-round. With hydroponics, that dream can become a reality.

You don't need a big yard or even any outdoor space at all. All you need is a little space, some basic equipment, and a passion for gardening.

Friday, March 28, 2025

We didn't get much rain throughout the night and nothing but sprinkles today. The total rain amount for our two day rain event is just one and 1/4 inches. I know it is not much but is a lot compared to not having any rain for the past several months.

Nacho came to work indoors today. He spent about 12-13 hours stuffing and closing seed envelopes. We were so far behind but he finished every single one of them.

Back to this morning...

I started pulling orders and sending them out. I went next door to get a box big enough to mail a five pound bag of a cover crop and while I was there, our first and second visitors of the day showed up. One was here to buy eggs, the other for the free asparagus that everyone seems to want. No one who came for the free asparagus all week long bought anything so it certainly did not help us at all...

In total, we had more folks this week getting free asparagus than we had in person sales in the store. We should be selling the asparagus, not giving it all away...

David sold a bunch of shelving to hold plants today and we got more money from the sale of the shelving than we have had in person sales in five days. That is crazy.

I spent most of the day filling orders until about 6pm. Then I packed it up and came in. Matt ordered us pizza and the three of us are watching House on TV. I would like to say that before this evening, I had never watched an episode. It is an interesting show.

It is now 8:30pm. Nacho left at 8pm after I paid him. He got so much work done that it is ridiculous.

Matt was able to repair the broken fence in the goat fence, although I still did not go out to see it. I guess I will see it in the morning since I will have to take care of the animals by myself.

Also, I never got around to finishing up the planting today because I got caught up on orders. Maybe I can finish planting in the morning now that the rain is completely over.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics can be done on a much smaller scale in a basement or a spare room in your home. You don't need a warehouse.

Hydroponics is a fun and rewarding way to connect with nature and grow your own food.

It's a sustainable and efficient way to produce fresh, healthy produce, and it's accessible to everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of hydroponics and discover the joy of growing your own food, indoors!

Hydroponics is truly a game-changer for gardening. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for growing food, regardless of your location or space constraints.

It's a sustainable and efficient method that conserves water and resources while maximizing yields.

Plus, it's a fun and educational activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

So, if you're looking for a way to grow fresh, healthy produce at home, give hydroponics a try. You might be surprised at how easy and rewarding it is.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

I woke up at 4:30am with a clogged nose. I decided to sit up in the living room. It took a while, but I was asleep when Sue Ellen decided to explore. She found me, jumped up on me and started thumping her tail on the couch. She woke me up at 5:35am. I went back to bed but I could not get back to sleep. So begins another day way too early...

It is now 6:30am and 69°. The forecast says we will hit 90° today.

I have eight dozen eggs today. I was able to sell eight dozen yesterday after two weeks of no sales. Strange how the need for good eggs comes and goes.

Today, I am almost finished pulling website orders. It is so humid out there already at 10:30am. The temperature is now 71° but it feels so muggy. So far, no in-person customers.

We had two in person customers toward the end of the work day. We close at 2pm on Saturdays. At 1:50pm, a woman called and said they would be here as we close. Now David had told me that he was going to take me somewhere at 2pm and I was excited. I really don't leave the farm much at all except on Sunday when we go to church. He told the woman okay so at 2:02pm, I had to wait on more customers instead of leaving. They were gone in about ten minutes and then David took me out.

We had a nice visit with friends which I really need every now and then. Friends are few and far between out here, especially now.

For dinner, Matt grilled some steaks and we watched Godzilla Vs Monster Zero, a movie made in 1965 that we had never seen before shown by Svengoolie. It was a lot of fun.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is being used to grow food indoors all over the world.

Remember, everyone should know how to grow food in hydroponics. It's a valuable skill that empowers you to take control of your food supply and connect with nature.

Hydroponics is more than just a gardening method; it's a way to contribute to a more sustainable future.

By growing your own food, you reduce your reliance on industrial agriculture and minimize your environmental impact.

So, join the hydroponics movement and become a part of a growing community of urban farmers.

Together, we can create a more sustainable and food-secure future, one hydroponic garden at a time.

Start small, experiment with different systems and techniques, and don't be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of resources available to guide you on your hydroponic journey.

And remember, choosing good seed is crucial for success in any gardening endeavor, including hydroponics.

So, do your research, select high-quality seeds from reputable suppliers such as David's Garden Seeds®, and give your plants the best possible start.

Hydroponics is a fantastic way to combine the joy of gardening with the convenience of indoor growing.

It's a perfect solution for urban dwellers, apartment residents, and anyone with limited outdoor space.

Sunday, March 30, 2025

The red bird did not move at all so I thought he was sick. Then all of a sudden, he took off after I was on the other side.

Good morning! It is 71° and sort of hazy looking out there. I took care of all of the animals and then I took care of my plants out in the yard. I need to do some transplanting this afternoon as well as some planting but if it is too hot, it will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

When I went in the goat pen, the red bird that constantly flies around here every day was sitting on the ground and did not move, even when I went right by him to feed Norton. I thought he was sick or would be dead soon. I was trying to play with the baby goats away from the bird and all of a sudden, the bird flew off so I was glad that he is okay. He is so pretty.

Look at the gorgeous bluebonnets growing at the church! So many colors. Aren't they pretty?

We went to church. Someone invited us to go to lunch with a group of people. We have not been invited to go for months so we went and had a nice time. I will say that the chicken was juicy and the lemon meringue pie was delicious.

Hydroponics

So, embrace the power of hydroponics and transform your home into a thriving oasis of fresh, homegrown produce.

You'll be amazed at the abundance and variety of crops you can grow, from leafy greens and herbs to tomatoes, peppers, and even strawberries. David grows hot peppers in his hydroponics unit every year and they are great.

Hydroponics is a testament to human ingenuity and our ability to adapt and innovate.

It's a sustainable solution for food production in a world facing increasing environmental challenges.

So, take the plunge and discover the wonders of hydroponics. It's a rewarding experience that will connect you with nature, empower you to grow your own food, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Happy gardening!

And don't forget, even if you're a seasoned gardener, hydroponics can add a new dimension to your skills and open up exciting new possibilities for your gardening endeavors.

Here is a photo of the homemade hydroponics unit in the high tunnel. David made this and uses it every year.

Return from Hydroponics to Our Sixth Year

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