Hydroponics - growing food without soil

[Marsila]

Am thinking of people who live in countries where not everything is easily available, so does anyone know what a very basic way to grow hydroponic plants would be, that may be available to all?

[Carmen]

Soil is usually readily available. Also small wormfarms are great for gardening on a small scale.The castings make a great growing medium. Nature usually does it better than us.

Sorry, that really wasnt the question, was it!!!

[The Mad spirtualist]

You can make a basic system for under a $100 with stuff from Home Depot and a few things from a hydro supply store.

[firstlook]

lol, no ones really reading your question closely. Start online for plans. Even youtube will have some videos.

[Tane Mahuta]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah3zrGRmx80

Hi Marsilla, here's a link that might tell you a bit more.

http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm

TM

[Maia Gabrial]

My suggestion is to find out which plants can live in water the best. Lawn and garden people could tell you that.

Remember back several years ago when the fad was to have a Beta fish living in a glass container under a hydroponic plant? The Beta would survive by eating at the roots....Well, the point I'm making is that I asked which plant worked best for this. So, it's best to ask at your local garden shop....

[GlassSteagallfan]

This is the introductory video explaining the concept. The free 'how to' videos require an email sign-in to watch and download.

Synopsis: Non-circulating, no weeding, no maintenance, nutrient dense plants built using available household scrap items or inexpensive Walmart junk. Some items may require 3D printing. Website is http://www.foodrising.org/

Good luck and good health. And spread the word!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofxHCHcdqwQ

[Ron Mauer Sr]

Professor Kratky's system promises great results, small or large scale, with no pumps, no electricity needed. Potentially a great food production solution during a grid down situation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E49GgFGvqm4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LTq3WKxYV0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cg54CZdLmg

Updated 27Feb2015

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDYeffYcVkY

[Yetti]

Thanks Ron for this exelent link. I'm very interested in something like this but mixed with Aquaponics , to grow green forage for my goats & chickens. So the idea is to use the nutrients of the fish tank to feed the plants witch in return filter the water that goes back to the fish tank from a elevated pipe cascading back and bring oxygen to the water, and closing the circuit. Thanks again. yeti

[crosby]

Thank you Ron, this is a great series of videos for those interested in growing through hydroponics!
warmest,
crosby

[Deega]

Thanks Ron, anxious to try it coming Spring time, the best to you!

[LoneWolf76]

Well its springtime in Wales! Daffodils are out, so I'm gonna get started on a small one of these and see how it goes.
Thanks Ron!

[Ron Mauer Sr]

According to mhpgardener (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mhpgardener), Dutch buckets work better for plants bearing fruit and vegetables than the Kratky system (http://ronmauer.net/blog/?page_id=4440) that works well (no electricity and almost no maintenance) for leafy greens.


Electricity is needed to automate the system. But if the grid goes down, there is a work around to save the plants. Here is how to set up the system.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXy32Dr4Z4A


Improvements and fixes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ZZmYNKbfU

[GlassSteagallfan]

Here is Mike Adams with a detailed DIY explanation on the Kratky system. Posted earlier, but reposting here.

This is the introductory video explaining the concept. The free 'how to' videos require an email sign-in to watch and download.

Synopsis: Non-circulating, no weeding, no maintenance, nutrient dense plants built using available household scrap items or inexpensive Walmart junk. Some items may require 3D printing or for purchase. Website is http://www.foodrising.org/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofxHCHcdqwQ

[Ron Mauer Sr]

There are many ideas available to experiment with this growing season. The two latest ideas are:

A vertical hydroponic garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzbPBx9KiuM

An A frame hydroponic garden with 3 inch diameter horizontal PVC pipe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJjAWF2DfWY

The other two experiments are the Dutch Bucket Hydroponic System (http://ronmauer.net/blog/?page_id=4448) and the Off Grid (Kratky) Hydroponics System (http://ronmauer.net/blog/?page_id=4440).

If the projects are kept to a small scale, I can get it done.

Whatever changes are in the near term future, food will become less accessible. I feel it is important to do some prepping and learn more about producing food.

[Terra]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for posting. We seem to be both thinking the same thing...as yesterday I also watched some of them vids. Must be the wave of hope blessed to us in the spring air.

Have wanted to to do it for a few years already but just havent had the time to do it as we had to complete the first stage of our backyard farm. We have just spent the last year taking out old laurel bushes etc and replacing with "Back To Eden (http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/)" beds. Last year we were that impressed with it we decided this year to do the front garden too. ...started in January and have just finished. The beds we planted last year are full of lovely red worms and fungi spores are loving the chips. It will be great in a couple of years if I keep adding woodchips.

Now I have a choice of three new projects to turn to to keep me busy. ...a new chicken coop adventure, a "Flow Hive" beekeeping adventure, or an aquaponics adventure.

I have got to keep it all on the cheap so I am thinking aquaponics to start with. I would like to keep trout eventually and have some ideas on how to do it just I dont have the space to do it large scale yet (perhaps when we move house). I will probably start with a small barrelponics set-up with some gold fish, hooked up to a strawberry wall (similiar to that in the third video) for the top of my system...but just one side of the A Frame, and perhaps at the bottom of the system a slow flow lettuce bed before it returns to the fish all clean to repeat the cycle.

It is quite daunting trying to work out the best way of doing it all (materials, PVC vs HDPE etc.), but I saw this vid yesterday on the Kratsky method and am pleased to see I can do it even cheaper and just do it in sections and maybe hook it all up later.

Here is the video...hope it is of some interest.

6LTq3WKxYV0

Best of luck with your system, I hope you share with us your results if you do. I look forward to seeing your setup, will be interested to see what you conjure up. :wizard:

You are right about the term "experimenting". We have a small section of concrete I wanted to make use of so I also tried growing on top of some strawbales I made a bed with....this wasn't so effective as the eden method and I wont be trying it again. Glad we tried though, as I have some more matter for the compost bins.

Shame you don't live a little closer or I would love to come and give you a hand, and see how you do it all :)

Cheers and bright blessings,

[Pam]

What wonderful ideas! I am fortunate to have some space to grow my veggies ,but for those that don't this is a wonderful concept. I guess even the smallest amount of space would work.

Thanks Ron.

[Terra]

Apologies Ron, just seen your earlier post on the Kratky Method.

....and I went to have a look at your website, great job there! I will be checking it all out in case I have missed something nice and easy. Lots of learning and projects ...thank you :)

All the best,

[Alan]

In Mike Adams' Situation Update for today, he starts out by talking about the Kratky hydroponic system, how it's the best way to grow food yourself, and how every day it's getting more and more important to grow your own food. Just listen to the first 10 minutes.

Mike Adams Situation Update: https://www.brighteon.com/a7e26e40-85a8-4355-9b01-0766ccb5565b

Kratky Method original paper: https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/VC-1.pdf

Mike Adams web site for hydroponic growing: foodrising.org

[Bill Ryan]

New, from Mike Adams at Natural News. :thumbsup: This might be very useful for some at this time.

https://brighteon.com/161971aa-a0a5-4715-a483-e847e801724f

161971aa-a0a5-4715-a483-e847e801724f