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.

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

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

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

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

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is being used to grow food 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 a 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

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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