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Begin Part 1:
When considering a DIY hydroponic system for homegrown herbs, there are several key factors you’ll need to understand. From the principle of hydroponics to the types of systems available to the plants you can grow, our comprehensive guide provides all the details you need.
Hydroponics, a sector of horticulture, refers to a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, it uses water-based nutrient solutions for plant nourishment. This is beneficial to homegrown herb gardeners as it provides the necessary nutrients directly to the plant roots without the necessity for soil thereby enhancing the growth, yield, and quality of plants.
There are primarily six types of hydroponic systems: Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), and Aeroponic. All vary in terms of complexity and suitability to home setups.
Wick Systems are the most basic type of hydroponic systems, ideal for novice gardeners or if you’re looking for a low-maintenance approach to hydroponics. The system uses a reservoir filled with nutrient solution, to which a wick is connected. The wick carries the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the plant roots.
Water Culture Systems, though relatively uncomplicated, it is less popular for home herb gardens as it is typically used for water-hungry plants. The system suspends plant roots directly in a nutrient-filled solution where an air pump oxygenates the water to prevent the roots from drowning.
Ebb and Flow Systems work on a simple principle, flooding the grow bed with nutrient solution at specific intervals and then letting it drain back. It’s versatile, it can accommodate a variety of plants, a staple among DIY home gardeners.
The Drip system works by providing a slow feed of nutrient solution to the plant roots employing a drip line. In a recovery Drip system, the excess solution is recollected in the reservoir for reuse. For a non-recovery system, the excess solution is not recollected.
Nutrient Film Technique, although it requires a specific slope set up for the nutrient solution to flow, it is highly efficient due to the limited amount of solution necessary to keep roots moistened.
Finally, Aeroponic systems, the most high-tech type of hydroponic gardening, mist or spray the roots with the nutrient solution allowing higher oxygenation.
Choosing the right type of hydroponic system is important. For beginners who want to grow home herbs, the Wick or Drip systems are ideal but as you become more experienced, you may want to venture into more complex systems like NFT or Aeroponic systems.
Choosing the right plants for a hydroponic system is equally crucial. Leafy greens, herbs, and peppers are considered more suitable for home hydroponic systems due to their relative ease of growth in water-based environments. Herbs like basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, and rosemary have all been successfully grown in hydroponic setups.
Continued in Part 2…
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