Interior Gardens

The 4 Main Methods of Hydroponic Gardening

The 4 main methods of hydroponic gardening get their names from the way in which the nutrients are delivered to the roots. They include:

  • Deep Water Culture
  • Aeroponic
  • Ebb & Flow
  • Drip System

Deep Water System

Hydroponic System Minnesota

The most common form of hydroponic gardening and where most newcomers get their introduction to hydroponics is growing plants in a container filled with water and a nutrient solution. This method is also the easiest and least expensive of all of the four methods.

Deep water culture tends to be one of the easiest hydroponics systems to build, set up and operate. Plant’s roots hang down into a bucket of oxygen rich water and nutrients. This type of system uses a small air pump to keep the solution well oxygenated. The aeration in deep water culture allows life to survive while submerged underwater.

Aeroponic

MN Hydroponic Garden

Aeroponics, the misting of plant roots in air, was developed in the last century at the University of Pia in Italy by Dr. Franco Massantini. It has been proven and refined for decades and is used by scientists around the world, including NASA.

With Aeroponics plants:

  • receive their required daily nutrients
  • avoid contact with soil borne pests and fungus
  • grow up to 50% faster

The opportunity to grow fresh fruits and vegetables outside of the soil, indoors or outdoors, is becoming not only a distinct advantage, but a necessity. While we have learned much about this exciting method of growing, the benefits of Aeroponics are still largely untapped. It is believed that Aeroponics will soon be the most commonly used growing technique worldwide.

Ebb & Flow (flood & drain)

MN Hydroponics

The Ebb and Flow system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining the solution back into the reservoir. This is usually accomplished by a submerged pump that is connected to a timer.

When the timer turns the pump on, nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray. When the timer shuts the pump off the nutrient solution is drains back into the reservoir and allows the growing medium and plant roots to stay moist while bringing fresh oxygen to the root base. The timer is usually set to turn on and off every couple of hours, depending on the size of the plants and the temperature and humidity.

The Ebb & Flow system is very versatile and can be used with a variety of growing mediums. The grow tray can be loaded with gravel, grow-rocks or rock wool.

Drip System

Minnesota Hydroponic Growing

In a Drip System the nutrient solution is Delivered to the plants through drip emitters on a timed basis. The time cycle flushes the growing medium, providing the plants with fresh nutrients, water and oxygen as the emitter is dripping.

The emitters are usually scheduled to run for approximately 5-10 minutes of every hour. In a drip system, the plant roots are most commonly grown in a medium of perlite, grow rocks or rockwool.

The Waterfarm Kit is one of best and easiest way to introduce yourself to hydroponic gardening. You can grow one large plant or up to five small ones, and the system increases oxygen to the roots for vigorous growth and healthier plants. The Waterfarm kit comes complete with everything needed to start growing ... including hydroton (what the plant will grow in), air pump, nutrients, and complete easy to understand instructions.