How to Make a Hydroponics Setup

Mint grow quickly in a hydroponic setup.

Hydroponic gardens come in a wide range of styles and types. These include automatic drip systems, tower setups, systems that spray plant roots with nutrient solution, revolving carousels and many other designs. For novices interested in building a hydroponics setup, a floating garden is the best place to start. This type of setup provides excellent results for anyone, beginner to advanced, and can be built in just one day.

Things You'll Need

• 2 2- by 8-inch boards, 97 inches long
• 2 2- by 8-inch boards, 53 inches long
• 12 3-inch wood screws
• Screwdriver
• Plastic liner sheet, 6- by 10-feet, 6 to 8 mil thick
• 2 1- by 2-inch wood strips, 97 inches long
• 2 1- by 2-inch wood strips, 53 inches long
• 1 1/2-inch nails
• Hammer
• Carpet knife or heavy-duty box cutter
• Hydroponic nutrient solution
• 8- by 4-foot, 1 inch thick polystyrene sheet
• Starter plants

Instructions

1. Lay out the 2-by-8 boards in a rectangle, with the short boards placed outside of the longer boards. Stand them on edge. The frame should be 8 inches high and the interior of the frame should measure 97 inches long by 49 inches wide.

2. Secure the frame by using three wood screws for each joint. Place the frame in the location where it is to be used. Remove anything sharp or rough from inside the frame, to avoid damage to the plastic liner.

3. Lay the plastic liner evenly on the frame. The amount of overhang should be the same on all sides. Slowly pour water in the frame. Guide the plastic gently into the frame as it fills, until it fits into the bottom and all corners of the frame.

4. Check to make sure that the plastic liner is up on the edge all the way around. Lay the 1-by-2 strips on the top of the frame and nail them in place, holding the plastic securely to the frame. Trim off any plastic on the outside of the frame.

5. Pour enough hydroponic solution into the frame to fill it to a depth of about 6 inches. Carefully follow any package directions.

6. Cut holes for the net pots in the polystyrene sheet. The holes should be big enough to hold the net pots, but small enough to keep the pots from falling through. Float the sheet of polystyrene on the hydroponic solution. Put plants in the net pots and place them in the holes.

Tips & Warnings

• You can make an inexpensive hydroponic solution by adding 2 tsp. of a good commercial, water-soluble fertilizer and 1 tsp. of Epsom salts to each gallon of water used in the garden. This type of garden is especially good for leafy plants such as peppermint and lettuce.

• Check the frame carefully for splits in the wood, screws poking through or any rough places that might damage the plastic liner. Also check the measurements carefully, as the polystyrene sheet will not fit the garden if it is not measured carefully and assembled correctly.

References

• University of Florida Extension; Building a Floating Hydroponic Garden; M. Sweat, et al.; Nov. 2009
• Mother Earth News; A Hint of Mint; Pat Stone; Nov/Dec 1989