So my wife decided she wanted a garden that the dogs couldn't destroy. I suggested (almost jokingly) a Hydroponic garden. Now we are building a small flood and drain DIY system, but due to having an engineering mind and a "you can do better than that" attitude, I decided to look into other more complex systems. I plan to keep this thread up for pictures of builds and growth success/failures(more than likely due to my missing green thumb)

The problem I seem to be running into is that I cannot find any good information on what solutions to use, or in the case of some, fertilizer. If anyone has any info on this please let me know. The mechanics and flow are the easy aspects for me, but the chemistry I am just not familiar with at all.

For now we are looking at growing: Lettuce (romain or ceaser, tomatoes, Habenero peppers, Bell peppers, and maybe some stints into carrots and onions.

We are also doing a garden outside, so hopefully we can do ok with both or just 1 or other.

Feel free to comment on anything or post suggestions, or if there's a system you want to see built or know how to make it work let me know.

I know the "commercial" fertilizers I use in a greenhouse are now going to PPM for your dilution rate. I found somewhere once how to convert to tps/gal, but don't remember

No hippie lettuce? C'mom man

Most Tomato systems seem complicated due to changing requirements during different stages. This Solution is supposed to wok all the way through so I'm probably going to try it.

http://store.amhydro.com/Tomato-Nutrient-Formulation-p/88110.htm

Also I decided for lettuce to try a couple Kratky method buckets. Seem to be the most simple possible system for greens. If I can get it to work, I will definately try automating it.

Peppers I might try soon, but I'm going to keep it small for now. I don't want to do my normal jump into an expensive big project without knowing if I can keep up with it.

I have yet to eat any home grown lettuce in Texas that was not bitter.

Check this site out... not trying to be funny...well maybe a little but they have a bunch of DIY tips... plants are plants

Hydro garden tips

Ironically enough 90% of the material for growing hydroponic tomatoes and strawberries are on sites similar to that (content wise). As I don't support that genre of actions, I tend to not look into them. Guess I gotta get all sciency.
If I can get some grown that doesn't taste bitter, I'll bring ya a couple heads. for now I'm just hoping for something green.

Well I got most of the plumbing done, now I gotta figure out where I want to put it, and build a Table. This one is my Wife's project technically so I gotta let her do her thing on choosing what to use. Mine will hopefully be a bit easier. I'm thinking on hers we will probably grow Tomatoes due to the large spacing between each plant. (I'll have pictures soon Hopefully. Just need to paint it as It took a bit to relearn my plumbing knowledge)

I've pretty much decided for now I am going to try AmHydro as my nutrient solution. From my research, the 4kg pack is enough for some 500 plants (seen other amounts discussed but this seems to be a good round general number). If this works out, I'll probably try to keep a 6 plant setup going year round. and that should provide enough tomatoes for my family and several extras.

is this about growing "the chronic"?

not for me ... I don't condone the "activity" so there's no reason to grow it. I'm content trying to grow vegetables. mainly so I'll eat the things more.

Its the future of farming..saw a show on this very thing..

Bill I was the same until last seasons crop, it has to be grown very early,& as far as Hydrponics you have to mix feeds to keep the Ideal pH levels thats why some use fish/they rise fish for the water to grow plants


Down South in Mexico they use Pee but you'll have to cut it at least 20 to 1 with water don't use it on lettuce or spinach,you can mix it with compost to make a compost tea,and use that to feed your plants Keep us posted I'd like to see how it turns out for you

I always planted early, used Black Seeded Simpson, but once the Texas heat takes hold the bitterness starts.

A friend of mine has started something similar....I forget the exact term, but it uses fish to fertilize the plants. Feed the fish, they do their thing, and the plants naturally filter the fish water. There are pumps and automatic siphons to keep the system running 24/7.
Seems to work well. He bought tilapia, and was told he can also breed them in case of the zombie apocalypse.

Be careful out there!