How to Grow Hydroponic Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes are varieties that have not been used in mass-production farms. They tend to have a more delicately flavor, and come in a wider variety of colors than the typical grocery store tomato. You can find them in some natural food and gourmet stores, but they are expensive. If you want to include these interesting varieties in your regular diet, growing them yourself is a great way to go--and a hydroponic garden will give you heirloom tomatoes all year long, regardless of where you live or how big your yard is. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 8 feet of 6-inch PVC pipe, cut to 4-foot lengths
- Extension cord (optional)
- Garden hose (optional)
- Hole saw
- 6-inch PVC elbow joint
- 2 6-inch PVC end caps
- 4 6-inch PVC pipe brackets with screws
- Power screwdriver
- 5-gallon plastic bucket or bin with lid
- Power drill with 1/2-inch bit
- 1/2-inch drain fittings (2)
- Medium power pond or aquarium pump
- Two lengths of 1/2-inch plastic tubing
- 4-inch net pots (one per plant)
- HydroClay pebbles
- Seedlings
- Concentrated nutrient solution
- Pump timer
Instructions
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Build Your Hydroponics System
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1
Choose a location for your hydroponic garden. A good location will have plenty of natural light and be close to both an electrical outlet and a water source. If you don't have an ideal location, choose one with the best natural light and use a hose and extension cord. Set up your support structure, such as a large table, in this location.
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2
Set out both 4-foot lengths of PVC pipe on a sturdy surface. Use the hole saw to drill three 1/2-inch holes every 6 inches along the length of the pipes.
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3
Connect the two pipes using the elbow joint. Place the end caps on both ends of the pipe. Use the pipe brackets and power screwdriver to secure the pipe to the support structure.
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4
Use the power drill to drill a 1/2-inch hole in the top of the pipe, near one end. Drill another 1/2-inch hole near the bottom of the pipe at the other end. Drill a 1/2-inch hole in the lid of the 5-gallon bucket or plastic bin.
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5
Install the drain fittings in the two 1/2-inch holes in the PVC pipe.
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6
Set up the pump on the support structure.
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7
Cut two lengths of plastic tubing. One length should be long enough to easily reach from the bottom drain fitting to the bucket or plastic bin. The other length needs to reach from the top drain fitting to the pump. Attach lengths of plastic tubing to the drain fittings. Thread the bottom tubing through the hole in the lid of the bucket or plastic bin. Attach the top tubing to the pump.
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8
Fill the bucket or plastic bin halfway with plain water. Turn on the pump and test the system for leaks. When you are satisfied that it works, turn off the pump.
Plant Your Hydroponic Garden
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9
Place a net pot in each of the wide holes in the PVC pipe. Fill the net pots three-quarters of the way with HydroClay pebbles and transplant your seedlings. Top off with HydroClay pebbles.
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10
Fill the bucket with water and add concentrated nutrient solution, following the manufacturer's instructions. Mix well.
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11
Turn on the pump and let it run for 15 minutes. When you turn it off, set the pump timer to turn on the pump for 15 minutes four times per day.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can expand this system to grow more plants. Simply add more lengths of PVC pipe connected with elbow joints.
It's a good idea to place a tarp under the entire system. Overflows are rare, but they can happen, especially if your pump timer malfunctions or the tubing becomes blocked up.
