Just a friendly reminder that we will be open from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Easter! Enjoy the day with your family & friends!
Many people refer to hydroponics as the new age of gardening. In truth it’s actually simple and very applicable to gardeners across all experience levels. The concept of hydroponics began thousands of years ago with the hanging Gardens of Babylon and The Floating Garden of China being among the two earliest examples of hydroponics. The word itself is derived from two Greek words (like most words) ‘hydro’ meaning water and ‘ponics’ meaning labor. Follow this article to learn techniques for the beginner hydroponic gardener.
Hydroponic systems can be complicated, but it does not mean they have to be. All systems are broken down into two categories, active or passive. Simply put, an active hydroponic system actively moves the nutrient solution that helps your plants grow whereas passive hydroponic systems rely on the capillary action of the growing medium or what’s often called the wick. There are three popular hydroponic techniques that beginners can use in their garden. The first technique is the Wick system. This system is a passive type system that uses no pumps or moving parts to move the nutrient based solution. The solution is stored in a reservoir and moved into the root system by a capillary action through a lantern wick. This solution will then travel through the wick and into the root system of the plant. Wick systems are often composed of sand, vermiculite mix, and a growing medium. The system as a whole is very easy to set-up and maintain. It is also among the most cost effective techniques to use while hydroponic gardening.
The second technique is the Ebb and Flow system. This is an active recovery type system that uses a submersible pump in the reservoir instead of a wick. The entire system is based off a flood and drain theory where nutrients are pumped into the holding tray and delivered to the plants. Once the tray is flooded it will remain that way for approximately 20-30 minutes. It’s then drained via an overflow pipe or fitting that allows the solution to slowly drain back down into the reservoir through the pump. The final technique is the Continuous Drip system, which is also an active recovery based system. This system uses a submersible pump similar to the Ebb and Flow system; however, there is a supply line going to each plant to provide nutrients. Using a drip emitter, gardeners can adjust the amount of solution per plant. This is ideal if you are growing more than one type of plant in the same tray. Underneath each plant is a drip tray that will send the solution back to the reservoir creating a seamless, yet active recovery. Another great thing about the Continuous drip system is that you can use any growing medium thanks to the customization and adjustment features of each individual drip emitter.
There are many hydroponic techniques and systems a gardener can use for their garden. Whether you build one from scratch or buy one it really all comes down to you as the gardener. Some techniques require more effort while others are totally reliable and low maintenance. If you're ever unsure visit your local nursery or hardware store and talk to a professional about picking the right technique for you.