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Hydroponic Garden

CPARKTX2
CPARKTX2 Posts: 222
in Off Topic
My usual gardening experience is: invest hours of time and effort, and harvest five cherry tomatoes over the course of the summer.  Decided to go a totally different route this year, and put in a very inexpensive hydroponic system (confession: a Facebook "informercial" got me).  I'm only a few weeks into this and totally blown away...we can barely keep up with the volume of lettuce and Swiss chard that we are growing.  The growth rate is probably 4x compared to the plants in my raised soil beds.  

Anyone else have a backyard hydroponic setup?  Curious what experiences others are having, and what you grow.

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Comments

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,113
    Cool Set Up !
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 16,196
    edited October 2020
    I've been looking at an indoor system, for fresh herbs (would probably pay for itself in a couple years).  
    Yes, I'd like to see the link to that, also; thanks!   :)
    ___________

    "When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set."

    - Lin Yutang


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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 12,069
    another rabbit hole!
    canuckland
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  • CPARKTX2
    CPARKTX2 Posts: 222
    @Botch @SciAggie
    Yeah, payback time on the enabling, this forum has cost me a fortune over the years.  I used a really basic setup from this company, I don't have much to compare it but it seems to be working well for me.

    Link: https://www.mini-farm.co 
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  • butt_juice
    butt_juice Posts: 129
    Langner91 said:
    Botch said:
    I've been looking at an indoor system, for fresh herbs (would probably pay for itself in a couple years).  
    Yes, I'd like to see the link to that, also; thanks!   :)
    Neighbor kid must be in culinary school.  He has an indoor system in his attic with these really cool lights.  Told me he was growing oregano....
    Next time it snows; check to see if his roof is bare....If it is, I doubt he is growing oregano lol. 
    South Central Kansas
    Instagram: @midwest_voyager
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  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,144
    I am curious, how does the dirt or lack of in this case effect your produces flavor. I was looking into hydro system to grow tomatoes or hops in my high tunnel and that seemed to be a bit of a issue.  On the other hand these guys seem to be getting along ok.
     
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


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  • jetman96
    jetman96 Posts: 127
    I use an indoor 7 pod AeroGarden, but they have bigger ones. It's great for fresh herbs throughout the year.
    Cincinnati, OH
    Large BGE
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  • CtTOPGUN
    CtTOPGUN Posts: 612
    edited October 2020
    I have been considering growing a garden above a fish tank. Still debating if I want another big item to take care of.


    LBGE/Weber Kettle/Blackstone 36" Griddle/Turkey Fryer/Induction Burner/Royal Gourmet 24" Griddle/Cuisinart Twin Oaks/Pit Boss Tabletop pellet smoker/Instant Pot

     BBQ from the State of Connecticut!

       Jim
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  • butt_juice
    butt_juice Posts: 129
    CtTOPGUN said:
    I have been considering growing a garden above a fish tank. Still debating if I want another big item to take care of.


    You're talking Aquaponics. 
    South Central Kansas
    Instagram: @midwest_voyager
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  • HogFather
    HogFather Posts: 260
    Is that the Devil's lettuce?
    Fighting off the trolls 1 by 1
    Large Egg

    Pig, KY 
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  • butt_juice
    butt_juice Posts: 129
    @HogFather where did you learn that....DRUG SCHOOL?
    South Central Kansas
    Instagram: @midwest_voyager
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  • GlennM
    GlennM Posts: 1,396
    We have an aero garden as well. It works very well in the winter for fresh herbs. This is basil, dill, Thai basil, oregano, mint and parsley 


    In the bush just East of Cambridge,Ontario 
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  • Sweet100s
    Sweet100s Posts: 553
    edited October 2020
    @GlennM,  have you had a problem with algae in your Aerogarden ?   I was enthusiastic about growing lettuces and herbs that way until trying to deal with that problem demanded too much time.  I tried hydrogen peroxide and weekly water changeouts. Didn't work.    The local hydroponics place said they had something that could help.  

    I have started growing broccoli sprouts in 32oz bell jars however.   

    https://www.ufseeds.com/product/broccoli-sprout-seed/?attribute_pa_size=1-pound&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Kv7BRBSEiwAXGDElUtEmxz4nKwyf74bk1WFnHv4eW9uBfw0Qwbo98JXd5M_U_KN6YIFYRoCz5oQAvD_BwE
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  • Sweet100s
    Sweet100s Posts: 553
    edited October 2020

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  • GlennM
    GlennM Posts: 1,396
    Sweet100s said:
    @GlennM,  have you had a problem with algae in your Aerogarden ?   I was enthusiastic about growing lettuces and herbs that way until trying to deal with that problem demanded too much time.  I tried hydrogen peroxide and weekly water changeouts. Didn't work.    The local hydroponics place said they had something that could help
    No, not really, we get a bit of green around the lid where you add the water but it’s been fine. I use reverse osmosis water because that’s what we have close by,  Not sure if that would make any difference
    In the bush just East of Cambridge,Ontario 
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  • McStew
    McStew Posts: 965

    Hermosa Beach CA 
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  • Sweet100s
    Sweet100s Posts: 553
    GlennM said:
    Sweet100s said:
    @GlennM,  have you had a problem with algae in your Aerogarden ?   I was enthusiastic about growing lettuces and herbs that way until trying to deal with that problem demanded too much time.  I tried hydrogen peroxide and weekly water changeouts. Didn't work.    The local hydroponics place said they had something that could help
    No, not really, we get a bit of green around the lid where you add the water but it’s been fine. I use reverse osmosis water because that’s what we have close by,  Not sure if that would make any difference
    Yep, I used RO water too.  Still had the problem.
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  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,144
    How did you do that to the pipe @McStew ?
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    alaskanassasin said:
    How did you do that to the pipe @McStew ?

    Fun with a hacksaw and a heat gun I'm betting.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • stv8r
    stv8r Posts: 1,127
    edited October 2020
    I invested about $200 into a raised bed garden this year.  Total harvest was 3 banana peppers, 6 jalapeños , and one dwarf green pepper.  Oh and one cherry tomato that never ripened up.   Please teach me !!
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  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    stv8r said:
    I invested about $200 into a raised bed garden this year.  Total harvest was 3 banana peppers, 6 jalapeños , and one dwarf green pepper.  Oh and one cherry tomato that never ripened up.   Please teach me !!
    That sounds like my raised bed experience. After a few years of harvesting less value than I invested, I dismantled the bed.
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  • DuckDogDr
    DuckDogDr Posts: 1,549
    Considering doing this myself for peppers 
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  • McStew
    McStew Posts: 965
    Hacksaw, heat gun and a wood dowel. @alaskanassasin
    Hermosa Beach CA 
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 16,196
    stv8r said:
    I invested about $200 into a raised bed garden this year.  Total harvest was 3 banana peppers, 6 jalapeños , and one dwarf green pepper.  Oh and one cherry tomato that never ripened up.   Please teach me !!
    I'm not that experienced, but I did get one cherry tomato plant loaded with fruit that made me happy.
    Made some damn deer, or raccoon, happy too.  :anguished:

    And thanks to COVID, I didn't go to the Farmer's markets this summer either.  Thank god for a still-viable grocery chain.  I did keep my single basil bush alive all summer, something I've never accomplished before, and actually pulled it in to the covered porch this afternoon (supposed to snow tonight).  
    ___________

    "When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set."

    - Lin Yutang


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  • kdink
    kdink Posts: 336
    Getting ready to move the salad one inside for winter.  The Butternut Squash was grown from one of the other ones.  These things are great got all mine from craigslist.  
    2 Xl's, MM and Forno Bello
    Pizza Oven in Bergen County, NJ
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  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    kdink said:
    Getting ready to move the salad one inside for winter.  The Butternut Squash was grown from one of the other ones.  These things are great got all mine from craigslist.  
    I've considered buying a system like you are growing in.
    How do you like it? and would you buy it again?

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  • kdink
    kdink Posts: 336
    GregW said:
    kdink said:
    Getting ready to move the salad one inside for winter.  The Butternut Squash was grown from one of the other ones.  These things are great got all mine from craigslist.  
    I've considered buying a system like you are growing in.
    How do you like it? and would you buy it again?

    @GregW,  Like it a lot, its easy has large water supply, had 4 of these running this summer, just bought one for MIL,  this will be fist time using inside this winter with grow lights
    2 Xl's, MM and Forno Bello
    Pizza Oven in Bergen County, NJ
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  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    kdink said:
    GregW said:
    kdink said:
    Getting ready to move the salad one inside for winter.  The Butternut Squash was grown from one of the other ones.  These things are great got all mine from craigslist.  
    I've considered buying a system like you are growing in.
    How do you like it? and would you buy it again?

    @GregW,  Like it a lot, its easy has large water supply, had 4 of these running this summer, just bought one for MIL,  this will be fist time using inside this winter with grow lights
    I'm definitely interested in them. On thing that does concern me is how they appear to be sold, are they selling through some kind of multi level marketing scheme?  similar to a pyramid scheme? 
    Hopefully you can recommend a place to purchase from.

    Thanks
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