My name is Ashley Esakin and I am a soil scientist. I am located in a Canadian Zone 3 and a USDA Zone 4. I write articles on Gardening in Canada, make YouTube videos, Instagram and Facebook posts all designed for Canadians and Cold Climate gardeners using science-based methods.

What is Hydroponics?

The reason why you may consider doing hydroponics comes down to the fact that it is mess-free and perfect for small spaces. Hydroponics is unique in the sense that it can provide water, nutrients and oxygen directly to the plant roots without the middleman. The middleman in most cases is our soil.

If the soil is not at the optimal moisture levels, then oxygen, nutrients and water are not being properly delivered. This lack of optimization ultimately can slow down growth. Therefore, with hydroponics we generally see rapid growth. This means faster harvests and higher yields than soil-produced plants.

There are a few different options when it comes to growing hydroponically. Each system yields different results and is designed for different plants. Let's go through each system type to help you determine which option works best for your family.

Image of Herb Growth after 3 Months, photo provided by Gardening in Canada
Herb Growth in 3 Months, image provided by Gardening in Canada

Wicking

This is commonly used with houseplants and is often called semi-hydroponics. The label semi-hydroponics is not the most accurate description because it is a form of full hydroponics. The wicking form of hydroponics is not just reserved for houseplants but also smaller vegetative plants. This can be used with herbs and leafy greens and yield great results.

The best medium for this system would be pumice, LECA or perlite. Something airy and larger will allow for optimal levels of oxygen, nutrients, and water without the use of a pump or aeration. If you use this type of system, it is important to use the correct fertilizing regime and ensure your pH is neutral. We will look at exactly what this means a little later on.

Options that use soil and wicking mats are also available for those trying to grow just herbs. The most common brand for this is the SunBlaster setup. I find that using soil indoors can become messy, so I generally try to avoid it.

Deep water culture basket, photo provided by Gardening in Canada
Deepwater culture basket, image provided by Gardening in Canada

Deepwater culture

The deepwater culture hydro setups are inexpensive and can be made with nearly anything. It is common for people to use five-gallon buckets with a hole cut into the lid. The key here is that there is a bubbler placed into the water allowing for oxygenation. This system works great for herbs, leafy greens and some smaller pepper plants. 

The important thing to remember here is that the bubbler needs to be higher than the water level or a backcheck valve needs to be installed. It is not uncommon for the water to run up the hose and into the motor damaging it.

In my deepwater culture setup, I germinated my seeds in peat pods. I find this to be the most effective way as it allows water to move between the pumice medium into the peat pod easily. If I was to germinate directly into the pumice, I run the risk of the seed falling too far down in the basket.

Air pump for Deep Water Culture, photo provided by Gardening in Canada
Air pump for deepwater culture, image provided by Gardening in Canada

NFT Hydro

This is the classic PVC piping hydroponic system we commonly see in a larger setup. This is simply a recirculating system that ensures you do not suffocate your roots. This system relies on water constantly being pumped through the piping which means if the pump malfunctions the crop can be ruined.

The other common issue is that roots can intertwine and also cause blockages over time. This setup is perfect for any sort of plant with both long-term and short-term growth habits. If you intend to use it for plants that grow for extended periods, keep in mind proper fertilizer application is key to ensuring the plumbing doesn't get clogged up.

Aeroponics

This is the most common in-home option and is what the Garden Towers, Rise Gardens and Root Farm System use. They are the most expensive setup but also the most effective at producing food quickly. The system essentially uses using a nozzle to mist or spray suspended plant trays. The mix of water and oxygen allows for healthy and quick plant development. 

The key here again is proper fertilizer applications and cleaning out the system after each use. This will help extend the life of the system while producing healthy food to ensure it is worth your money.

Peat pod used in deep water culture pumice, photo provided by Gardening in Canada
Peat Pod Used in Deep Water Culture Pumice, image provided by Gardening in Canada

Growing Media 

The growing media in a hydroponic system is typically soilless to help lessen the risk of clogs. Some options will work as a stand-alone product that holds their shape and others may require a special basket or fine mesh material. Materials that can be placed into a basket include:

  • Rockwool
  • Stonewool
  • LECA
  • Gravel 

Materials that will require a mesh netting and a basket include:

  • Vermiculite
  • Vermiculite
  • Perlite
  • Coconut coir
  • Peat moss 

The medium you choose is completely up to you. I use a form of sponge that looks like a plug and plops into the hydro baskets. The goal is to use the most mess-free option that you are comfortable with. Both the basket and the growing medium after growing a plant can be composted and should not be reused.

Fertilizer

This is the most important aspect of hydroponically growing food and can sometimes be intimidating. I recommend going for the simplest fertilizing system and avoiding anything with multiple bottles of micronutrients. The Root Farm fertilizing setup is one of the easiest hydroponic fertilizing systems. There are a total of four options:

  1. Base - You will need this bottle for everything
  2. Greens - This is for herbs, leafy greens, and root veggies
  3. Flower - This is for anything that flowers such as orchids
  4. Fruit - This will be for tomatoes, peppers and other fruiting plants

Regardless of what you are growing, you will need to grab a base bottle as this contains the base nutrients needed by all plants regardless of their growth habit. From there, you will need to select the applicable bottle based on what you are trying to grow. If you are doing herbs and peppers in the same system, simply go with the fruit bottle because this will work for both plant types.

When mixing for your fertilizer into your setup, you want to always add the water and fertilizer together first. Follow the dosing recommendations on the fertilizer packages and keep in mind that the volume of fertilizer may be dependent on the plant's growth stage. After everything is mixed together you can begin testing for the pH of the water. 

pH testing of the water and, of course, the adjustments afterwards are an absolute must. Plants both in the soil and in hydro systems need specific pH ranges for nutrient absorption. If the pH range is above or below a 6-7, there will be restricted nutrient uptake and stunted growth. 

To make adjustments to the water's pH you will want to use pH up or pH down. This normally is a liquid and a little bit goes a very long way. Just a few drops can adjust the pH by several points. You will need to recheck your pH after adding the adjustments to ensure you have hit the proper levels.

Once the water and fertilizer mixture is sitting between 6-7 pH you can add it to the system. If there is water left over, feel free to water your other potted plants with the mixture. Or if you have a container with a lid you can store it long-term to reuse.

Cleaning Your Hydroponic System

This tends to be specific to the manufacturer and I always recommend using their instructions for cleaning. This will ensure the longest lifespan of the system itself. If you are ever in doubt, warm water and a bit of elbow grease are always your best bet. For difficult to remove build-up the use of hydrogen peroxide is always helpful and a non-toxic option.  

If the system is mostly plastic, you want to avoid using anything that can scratch. This means using gentle sponges and avoiding wire or hard plastic brushes. 

Overall, hydroponics are perfect for delivering water and nutrients in optimal proportions. This means the plants can grow faster than what we are used to. I love using mine for herbs and leafy greens because it's a continuous supply. Let us know what you love about hydroponics and your favourite system.

Ashley Easkins, Gardening in Canada, image provided by Gardening in Canada
Ashley Esakin, Gardening in Canada

 

For more information on Hydroponic Growing, please check out my YouTube series here: