Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

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.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,549
    Cool Set Up !
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,335
    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!   :)
    "Hallelujah, Noel, be it Heaven or Hell,
    The Christmas we get, we deserve"
         -RIP Greg Lake

    Ogden, UT, USA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,641
    another rabbit hole!
    canuckland
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,889
    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.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HogFather
    HogFather Posts: 264
    Is that the Devil's lettuce?
    Fighting off the trolls 1 by 1
    Large Egg

    Pig, KY 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • butt_juice
    butt_juice Posts: 129
    @HogFather where did you learn that....DRUG SCHOOL?
    South Central Kansas
    Instagram: @midwest_voyager
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GlennM
    GlennM Posts: 1,445
    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 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sweet100s
    Sweet100s Posts: 553
    edited October 2020

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GlennM
    GlennM Posts: 1,445
    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 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McStew
    McStew Posts: 965

    Hermosa Beach CA 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • alaskanassasin
    alaskanassasin Posts: 8,889
    How did you do that to the pipe @McStew ?
    South of Columbus, Ohio.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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 !!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DuckDogDr
    DuckDogDr Posts: 1,549
    Considering doing this myself for peppers 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McStew
    McStew Posts: 965
    Hacksaw, heat gun and a wood dowel. @alaskanassasin
    Hermosa Beach CA 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,335
    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).  
    "Hallelujah, Noel, be it Heaven or Hell,
    The Christmas we get, we deserve"
         -RIP Greg Lake

    Ogden, UT, USA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories