Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  DIY hydroponics

    Posted 03-16-2024 05:30:00 PM

    Hi all! Does anyone have advice/experience/best practices growing edible crops in indoor environments using DIY hydroponics. This summer I will be out doing field work and partnering with indigenous communities and youth leaders to create a DIY hydroponic system (ideally made entirely from repurposed materials) to grow herbs and greens. The goal is to have the nutrient component of the system derived entirely from homemade worm tea. Currently running some experiments using New Zealand spinach, herbs and nasturtium grown in a perlite substrate and would love to hear from anyone who has experience in this realm. 

    Thanks!



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    Meghan Nealon
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  • 2.  RE: DIY hydroponics

    Posted 03-18-2024 09:28:00 AM
    Hi Meghan,
    As part of my work with Green Our Planet, I have a lot of experience building and using DIY systems. There are a ton of ways to build them, but my favorite type is Deep Water Culture. It's simple to build and gives good results. You can build one out of all kinds of things and they can be big or small. Over time, we have experimented with different lighting, and found that LED lights are the best. However, if you're looking to repurpose, T5 grow lights can often be found unused in schools, and even shop lights will work, albeit slower. I've not used perlite, but I know a lot of people do with great results, and I've been interested in worm/compost tea, but haven't experimented with it yet. Please reach out with other questions that you may have and I'll help where I can. I'm excited for your project. It sounds fantastic!
    Chris

     
    Christine Anderson     
    (she/her)
    Education and Engagement Coach
    Green Our Planet

    (725) 900-2748 | chris@greenourplanet.org

    www.greenourplanet.org


    "Plants know how to make food and medicine from light and water, and then they give it away."  -Robin Wall Kimmerer

    Green Our Planet_Logo_RGB_Final Signature_2021-01.png

     







  • 3.  RE: DIY hydroponics

    Posted 03-18-2024 02:22:00 PM

    Hi Meghan---  We include information on DIY hydroponic units in the appendix of the Exploring Hydroponics (https://kidsgardening.org/resources/curricula-books-exploring-hydroponics/) and Discovering Through Hydroponics (https://kidsgardening.org/blog-discovering-through-hydroponics/) Guides that might provide a helpful overview/introduction to some different types of systems. The guides do not include any information about homemade nutrient solutions however. 



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    Sarah Pounders
    Senior Education Specialist
    The Woodlands TX
    8324186540
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