March 27th, 2022
6minute read
Growing food is one of the fundamental requirements for a civilization.
As a husband and father, this idea is repugnant to me.
Im guessing it is abhorrent to you as well.
I am responsible for feeding my family even if times get tough.
It also includes having the knowledge and tools to provide fresh food during difficult times.
Gardening is available to most everyone.
Basics of Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a system of growing food without soil.
The concept of hydroponics is not new.
Some modern research suggests that the ancient world may have used hydroponics thousands of years ago.
The one I will describe is called the Kratky method.
What makes the Kratky method so interesting is the lack of pumps.
In fact, the Kratky method of hydroponic growing is largely passive.
Other than picking your harvest, you may not have to do anything after your initial set up.
Heres an overview of how to set up the Kratky hydroponics process.
Step 1: Select your growing containers.
you’re able to grow vegetable plants in nearly any kind of container.
Ive used both storage totes and jars.
Canning jars work very well, but I use a lot of old, recycled spaghetti sauce jars.
The larger the container you use, the more nutrient solution it’s possible for you to store.
But, keep in mind, water is very heavy.
You do not want to overload a table or shelf.
You will need to mix nutrients with the water to form a solution the plants can use.
Tip: Nutrient solutions can breed algae if exposed to light.
To prevent this, use an opaque container or wrap the container in aluminum foil.
Step 2: Start your seeds in net cups with a growing medium.
Net cups are plastic cups with large holes in them.
You fill the net cup with an inert product like rockwool or pearlite and plant your seed in it.
As the seeds begin to grow, they will send out roots.
Tip: 2 net cups will fit perfectly in the mouth of many jars.
They will also fit into a canning jar with a ring screwed on.
Step 3: Ensure the plants get enough sunlight.
Sunlight is the fuel of plant growth.
Without enough of it, your plants will get spindly and not produce as much food.
A brightly lit window can be enough sunlight for some plants.
Others will require placement outside for a full dose of sun.
I invested in special LED lights that provide full spectrum light.
Mounted to a shelving unit, the lights allow me to precisely control how much light my plants get.
While not necessary, they provide the optimum amount of light for fast plant growth.
Step 4: Ongoing Care
At this point, your plants should grow with little input from you.
Check them to ensure that the nutrient solution never drops too low.
When you add nutrient solution, never fill the reservoir all the way.
Only then can they absorb oxygen.
Getting Started with Lettuce
Greens are a great starting place with Kratky hydroponics.
They are easy to start, grow rapidly and provide good nutrition.
Plus, lettuce can deliver vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, folate, fiber and other nutrients.
The two lettuces Ive had great success with are buttercrunch and Simpson Elite.
Both have nearly identical growing times in a Kratky system about 22-25 days to the first harvest.
Consequently, I grow them together for a little flavor and color variety in my salads.
Both have a good salad flavor with buttercrunch being the milder.
you’ve got the option to get these seeds online or in most of the home improvement stores.
Arugula is often suggested as a good green to grow in a Kratky system.
Ive had good success with it in my system growing the Roquette variety.
Arugula has a distinct peppery flavor that can overwhelm a salad.
When you first use it, go easy until you have a feel for the flavor.
Finding these seeds is also easy.
Once you get going with lettuce, it’s possible for you to try other vegetables.
Ive grown green beans, for example, using 5-gallon buckets.
The growth is very fast on these, but they do drink a significant amount of nutrient solution.
You may also want to try things like mustard greens and spinach.
Final Thoughts
Few things are as rewarding as providing your own food.
