Learn How to Easily Grow Using Hydroponic Gardening
Simple, honest guides to growing vegetables, herbs and flowers without soil. Whether you are starting with a mason jar on a windowsill or planning a greenhouse system, we explain how each hydroponic method works so you can pick the right one and grow with confidence.
Why Grow with Hydroponics
Hydroponic gardening can be fun and very rewarding. Like any endeavor, you do need to learn a few things to ensure you have a better success rate, but that is why we built this site! If you want to grow indoors, we have you covered. If you want to grow in a greenhouse, we have that covered too! Hey, if all you have is a few seeds and a couple of mason jars, we can even show you how to grow a nice salad garden. So dive in and learn why we think this is the best gardening method.
Our Mission
When we first started learning about hydroponics, we could not stop. But to find everything we needed in one place was simply not available. So we set out to help the beginner learn and find the resources they needed to experience the joy we found. Our mission is to provide an easy way to get into hydroponic gardening. Even if it is just to grow a few herbs in your kitchen!
6 Types of Hydroponic Systems
There are many ways to grow plants hydroponically. We explain the six most widely used systems, each of which can be scaled from a kitchen counter to a greenhouse or a large growing facility.
Which system is right for you depends on your space, budget and how hands-on you want to be. Each guide below covers how the system works, what you need, and its pros and cons, so you can make an informed choice.
The Kratky Method
The Kratky method is one of the simplest ways to grow hydroponically. Developed by Dr. Bernard Kratky at the University of Hawaii, it grows plants in a closed container of nutrient solution with no pumps, timers or electricity. If you have seen lettuce or herbs growing in a mason jar, this is likely the method. It is a simple, low-cost start and fun for kids.
N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)
A N.F.T. system delivers a steady flow of nutrient solution. No timer or submersible pump is needed. The nutrient solution is normally pumped into the growing tray using a tube. This allows the solution to flow over the roots and then drain back into the reservoir.
Ebb and Flow System
Using a submerged pump, which is typically connected to a timer, the Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System floods the grow trays with nutrient solution. After a set time, the solution would be drained back into the reservoir. This is used more in commercial setups.
Aeroponic
One of the most difficult types of hydroponic gardening due to the nature of the system. Like the N.F.T. system, the growing medium is basically the air itself. The roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrient solution typically every few minutes. The roots will dry out rapidly if the misting cycles are interrupted.
Drip System
One of the most widely used type of hydroponic systems world wide. A timer controls a submersed pump and the nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant using a small drip line. What happened to the water after that can be done in a couple of ways and is dubbed Recovery or Non-recovery.
Floating Systems
The simplest of all hydroponic systems. Styrofoam (or other medium) floats hold the plants directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air to the air stone that bubbles the nutrient solution and supplies oxygen to the roots of the plants. Water culture is the system of choice for growing leaf lettuce.
Hydroponic Gardening Plants
Vegetables are one of the most popular plant types to grow with hydroponic gardening techniques. Tomatoes, potatoes, melons, squash, cucumbers and so much more can be grown hydroponically. Just about every variety of vegetable can grow with hydroponics.
Leafy herbs are among the easiest plants to grow hydroponically. Basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, chives and oregano grow quickly in a small system on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light, and regular harvesting keeps them producing for months.
Many flowers grow well in hydroponic systems, including marigolds, petunias, snapdragons and zinnias. Without soil there is less risk of soil-borne pests and diseases, and you control the nutrients that support strong stems and steady blooming.
Latest Hydroponic Gardening Articles
New articles on hydroponic systems, nutrients and growing specific plants, written to answer the questions beginners ask most.