There is a sense amongst those who are uninformed that Hydroponics is an elaborate and complicated system of gardening. It can be, but it doesn't have to be. Yes our Space Program has tried to developed it for extended mission, and the pictures of commercial gardens often look like some science experiment gone wild. But those are the extreme examples. Hydroponics in it's simplest terms is anything but complicated. Chances are you may have already had a garden and didn't even know it. If you have ever taken a sweet potato, stuck tooth picks in it, suspended it in a jar of water and then waited for roots to grow you have already had a Hydroponic garden.
Granted that little 3rd grade science experiment defines the concept in it's simplest terms, but it is still alternative gardening. And after all, that is what this strange horticultural phenomena is, an unconventional way of growing plants. Don't fear the use of nutrient solutions and alternative growing mediums. It's not some mystical event or some high tech gadgetry. It's a method of raising plants in a way that the average person can accomplish. A way of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers even if your surroundings don't offer you fertile ground and perfect weather. It even applies itself to drought prone areas, as Hydroponics uses less water than conventional gardening.
A back deck, a hall closet or even a small space on your kitchen counter can serve as your planting field. See plants need five basic things to grow; food, water, air, light and a little darkness. ( Bet you didn't see that one coming did you. Even plants need to sleep, especially when they're producing product.) They really don't care what system supplies these essentials as long as delivery come in a comfortable manor and the quantities are in manageable amounts. A tomato plant will grow in a field that gets lots of sun and regular water, or in basket were it's roots dangle in aerated nutrient rich water with artificial light. As long as they get there 5 needs filled without a lot of stress healthy growth will come. And that is why Hydroponics works so well; it supplies plants with basic needs thru untraditional methods, allowing a person to have a nice garden anywhere.
As far as getting started, you need to first decide what method to use. There are basically two types of systems; passive and active. This refers to how they get the nutrient solution. ( Don't be afraid; that is just the term for water that has had plant food supplements added to it.) In the Passive System nutrients pass through the growing medium, ( once again don't be afraid, that's what the material used to replace the soil is called.) It can be any number of products; vermiculite, rockwool, perlite, certain rocks, etc. Usually the transfer of liquids is through a wick. The plant is suspended in it's container in the chosen medium, and that container is positioned inside another which serves as the reservoir for the nutrients. The second container is partially filled with solution which is feed to the plants via dangling roots or a wick. You will need an aerating stone (like you'd find in a fish aquarium) submerged in the reservoir to keep the water oxygenated. It a simple and inexpensive method, (often called the Wick System) that is good for beginners; but because the water does not circulate it can need more attention and maintenance.
An Active System depends on pumps and other equipment to draw solution to the plant roots and to return it to it's storage tank. The plants sit in baskets in a chosen medium. The nutrient solution is stored in the reservoir and pumped over the roots of the plants in measured runs several time a day. The pumps themselves are similar to what is used in fountains and/or water features. Gravity returns the solution to the storage container thru pipes or tubing. The constant circulation of the water helps to keep it aerated. Through the use of timers this system can operate almost automatically, using less daily maintenance and making it the preferred choice of many. Aeroponics and Ebb & Flow are two of the more commonly used Active methods.
Just remember, regardless of what system you use, two elements are a constant for all gardens First you need proper lighting. If your garden is outside or in a window you are at the good graces of mother nature. Choose a location that will offer as much full light for as much of the day as possible, and be sure to maintain water levels. If you are indoors and/or have chosen artificial lighting be sure to match it to the needs of the system you are using. The choices are many and price vary dramatically. For a small counter top garden you might use a simple inexpensive compact fluorescent. If you are planning a full and elaborate botanical you'll need a larger lighting hood with 100's of watts and both a growing and a budding bulb. In most cases a couple of compact fluorescents with a good reflector (clip on lamps work well) will do the job. Or even an under the counter fluorescent will often be sufficient for small set ups. Just remember during the initial growing stages plants need more light; around 18 hours or so. During the budding or flowering time they need more rest, cut it back to around 12. Also a standard house timer will let you automate the system and lower daily maintenance. The secret is to match your lighting to your garden and the plants will do the rest.
Secondly balancing PH levels for the nutrient solutions is very important. (Once again don't get nervous; that is just the balance between acidity & alkalinity in the water.) It's all part of giving the plants what they need in manageable amounts. When purchasing nutrients there will be a three number code on the container; it's the NPK number. N is for Nitrogen, P is for Phosphorus and K is for Potassium. These are the main nutrients in the solution. The numbers indicate the proportions of each, such as 9-5-8. The actual mix is set by the manufacture based on what they fell is needed for the plants using them. After the nutrients have been added you need to check the Ph level. You can do this with a PH Test Kit or Meter. Either can be purchased at any local Home Improvement Center.
The kits are inexpensive and disposable, but if you are serious about gardening the meter may be worth the investment. 7 is a neutral PH, but 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for most situations. 6 and under is considered acidic, and 8 and over is an alkaline strong solution. Distilled water is good to start with because it pure, making it neutral; but if you are using tap water let it sit out a while to allow the chlorine to evaporate before testing it's PH. You can buy PH balance adjusters to level out your solution from most Home Improvement or Hydroponics stores. You can also use every day kitchen items as a fixer as well; like baking soda to lower acidic levels and vinegar to lower alkaline levels. Just use small amount, like a tablespoons to each 3 or 4 gallons; and check levels often. Getting the PH balance correct gives the plants the ability to absorb the essential elements in the nutrient solution required for healthy growth. It helps balance their diet.
Hydroponics can be a valued addition to your gardening experience. And you can enter at any level. The actual system design will vary depending on personal needs and interest. You can find a variety of system builds on the Internet and in books should you want to build your own. What is right for you is dependent upon how much you wish to spend, where the garden will be assembled, what you plan on growing and the amount of time that will be available to maintain it. There are units already designed and packaged for those less ambitious. Simply open the box, follow the directions and your garden will be up and budding in no time. Either way you can find most of what you need at your local Home Improvement Center or Hydroponics Store.
My first set up was a preassembled package called a "Baby Bloomer." It contained everything needed ( including tomato & lettuce seeds ) to start a small 8 to10 plant garden. It was an active system that fit in a 2ft x 3ft space. The light was not included. I purchased it separately; and opted for a high end unit. Everything together cost me about cost approx. $350.00; over $200.00 of it went toward the cost of the light. It was a very good small garden. A few years ago I gave my father a self contained counter-top unit called the Areogarden. A simple system; you only need assemble it, fill it with water, drop in a nutrient tablet, load in the factory designed plant starters and plug it in. It is also an Active System; just add water and a food tablet every couple of weeks when the indicator lights comes on, raise the light as the plant grows and occasionally prune the plants back. My father was picking fresh cherry tomatoes off his dresser in less than 3 months. The whole unit cost about a $120.00 and could be set up to grow other plants; like Herbs, flowers, etc. You can put together a nice Wick System Herb Garden on your deck, designed out of standard planter pot for under $50.00. What you spend on your Garden is completely up to you.
A simple counter top herb garden or a basement arrangement growing fresh vegetables through the winter, it's up to you. Hydroponics even offers the possibility of a completely organic product for those concerned with keeping chemicals out of there food. The point is don't be afraid to try it. If you enjoy gardening hydroponics can be a pleasant addition to the activity; allowing you to continue the hobby year round in any environment.