How to Build Your Own Hydroponics

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants either without soil or with very limited amounts of soil, and alternatively using water that has been prepared with dissolved minerals to provide the nutrients the plants need to grow. The process has been around for some time, but has recently expanded in popularity. While initially building your hydroponics make take some time and effort, the end result is generally worth your trouble.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Container
• Wire
• Plastic
• Drill
• PVC
• Soil
• Bricks
• Fertilizer
• Plastic sheeting
• Rope

1. Whatever container you choose needs to be watertight; once you have made your appropriate choice, drill a drain hole a couple of inches from the bottom of the container. Plastic containers tend to be easier to work with than ceramic or glass.

2. Lay bricks along the bottom of your container in such a manner that their tops are roughly level with but do not obstruct the drain hole.

3. Cut your PVC so that it is the correct length to reach the bottom of the container without sticking out of the top too far. Then, cut the wire mesh so that it sits loosely but securely on top of the bricks. Then, cut a hole for the PVC to slide through, but make it snug.

4. Put the soil in the container in such a way that it sits on top of the mesh and bricks and overfills the top of your container - mound it in the center.

5. Your fertilizer is going to go in the center of the mound that you just created -- dig a small valley in the soil. Alternatively, if you use liquid fertilizer, you can omit digging the valley in the soil and simply pour it slowly on top of the mound, allowing it to be slowly absorbed.

6. Cover the top with strong plastic sheeting -- the kind that is used as drop-cloth is ideal, and leave or cut a hole for the PVC to come out of. Then, tie the bag to the container with the rope.

7. Now all that is left is to determine what kind(s) of plants you want to grow in your hydroponic container. After planting, make sure that you fill the container with water by way of the PVC pipe.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to get the best results from your hydroponics container, you are going to want to put it in an area that is both warm and humid, both of which are conducive to healthy plant growth. You may want to consider putting it in an area that also houses a humidifier and is either outfitted with a space heater or facilitated by your home's HVAC system so that you can control the temperature.

• Maintain the water level in your hydroponic container, or your plants will die. Do not allow the drain hole to become obstructed, or your plants will end up being over watered.

References

• Growing With Hydroponics