Week 2: Build

Alright, I made it to week 2! That means that it is actually time to build my hydroponic system. I built the system over the weekend and I've created a video showing how it was built. That, along with the directions that I posted last week should have anyone well on their way to building their own system.

https://vimeo.com/205552330

This video goes through all of the steps that were taken to build the system, and the materials, as well as provides reasoning behind most of the steps. 

Minor Set-back:

Although I've finished my system, I haven't been able to start plants yet because I am still waiting for some silicon to dry. Although I didn't cover this step in the video, I used silicon to seal the area around the tubes for water movement to prevent them from leaking water into the area in between the two basins. Although it's been four days, the Silicon hasn't dried yet, which is unusual. I no longer expect it to, and will be buying some new silicon and redoing the seal (I know boring -  but important if I want the system to run properly)

In Other News: 

I have finally accumulated the rest of the materials that I need to get the plants going (as long as I can get that Silicon to work). The final materials that I needed was clay grow media, seeds, grow nutrients, pH buffer, and rock wool started plugs. I've also received a response from Joe Swartz, the vice president of American hydroponics. He has agreed to answer some of my questions about hydroponics (which have been sent) and when I get a response I will post the questions and their answers on the blog. 

Wish me luck!

Week 1 (Part 2): This. this is Hydroponics

As I said in my last post, I am spending the second half of my first week actually designing the system that I will be building and figuring out what materials and tools I will need to put it together the right way. I will be building an Ebb and Flow system, where the system automatically floods with water about 2-3 times a day. With this system, a small water pump is submerged in a basin and pumps water into a flood/grow table (where the plants actually are), and then allows the water to slowly drain out, leaving the roots moistened by not constantly submerged (which helps protect against root rot).
For the design that I plan on building, I will need:

• 2 plastic tubs (opaque)
• If these are not opaque, get plastic or spray paint to cover them with
• Clay grow media 
• Small submersible water pump
• 1/2" water hose 
• 1/2" PVC pipe
• Outlet timer 
• 2 x 4 planks
• UV grow light 
• Nails 

Tools: 

• Drill

Digital Design Model

The two plastic tubs will be positioned on top of each other, one acting as the water basin and the other the grow table (where the plants go). The top tub will have three holes drilled in the bottom, and the other one will have them drilled in the top. Through one of these holes the water pump will be able to pump water into the grow table while the others allow the table to drain. Around the outside of the tubs I will be building a wooden frame to serve two purposes: Stabilize the tubs, and hold UV lights (This system will be inside and might not always get another natural sunlight). The outside frame isn't integral to the design, but will still be helpful for the aforementioned reasons.

I have ordered the supplies that I need, and now all I need to do before I start building is carve out some time and get the rest of the supplies. To show how I build it and to further explain the design and how a Ebb and Flow hydroponic system work, I'll post a video blog of the construction along with an explanation on how everything works. Wish me luck!

Week 1: What in the world is Hydroponics?

Before I may begin the actual construction of hydroponic system or being growing plants, I need to dig into (hah - dirt pun) the topic and figure out the best course of action. Going into this all I have is basic build experience, and general knowledge about how to keep plants from dying. After doing some research, there are a few things that you need to know: what system to use, what plants to grow, what nutrients they need, and how to get your plants started. 

When It comes to systems there are four distinct systems that are widely used (there are others, but those are less common)...

Wick System: A wick brings water up to the roots of the plant from basin of water 

Pros: Low cost, easy to maintain, no electricity required 
Cons: Slower than dirt 

Deep Water System: Roots are suspended in water and contently aerated

Pros: low maintenance, compact 

Cons: small margin of error, root rot 

NFT System: Water is continuously run over the roots 

Pros: cheap, little maintenance, efficient 

Cons: very, very small margin of error, takes up a lot of space, root rot

Ebb and Flow System: Plants are in a grow basin which is flooded and drained periodically 

Pros: low maintenance, large margin of error, efficient 

Cons: malfunctions 

Things which are similar between all of the systems are that they require no dirt. That's it, also that someone how they deliver water and nutrients to the roots of the plants. For this project I have decided to go with an Ebb and Flow system. After all of my research, Ebb and Flow appears to have the largest margin of error while also being easy to put together and maintain. Because, unlike in the other systems, the roots are not continuously submerged, the chances of root rot accruing are lower. 

Buying an Ebb and Flow system pre-made is pretty pricey ($300 pricey), so to meet my meager (an in my opinion much more reasonable budget) I will be building the system myself. Exactly what the best way to build the system is, I have yet to discover, but that’s what the second half of this week is for.

The Proposal

This Gif is a link!!!!

As part of my project I had to create a quick presentation to use as a proposal for my project. It goes through my motivation, timeline, resources, and goals similarly to my first post. Check it out if you want. Enjoy!

Gardening for Molysmophobes (those who fear dirt)

For the next six weeks I endeavor to learn a skill, and not just any skill, but one which is not common knowledge, which is scorned by my sister for being unnatural, which allow me fresh produce all year round: Hydroponics. For those of you who don't know what hydroponics is, the dictionary definition is...

(noun) the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquids with added nutrients but without soil.

In my case, this will be done inside. There are a couple reasons why I, and possibly you, would have the motivation to start a hydroponic garden.

1. You like gardening

2. you like building and designing interesting contraptions that have the illusion of being impressive 

3. You enjoy produce 

4. You love biology 

5. you hate dirt

My family has always been really big into gardening. On the side of my house there is a large vegetable garden, five fruit trees, a strawberry patch, and blueberries. Gardening is a good time, but when you're outside digging through dry dirt in the middle of summer, some of the glamour is stripped away, and, as soon as the first frost comes, so are your living plants. Urban hydroponics offers a way for pretty much anyone to grow their own fresh produce year round with minimal contact with the elements. Because who doesn't love strawberries? I don't know about you, but the allure of building a simple structure based off of internet how-tos the looks impressive, but really only took supplies that can be obtained from Walmart is always a plus, especially when trying to impress someone, say for a school project? Just a thought. Another motivation is my love of biology and learning about living systems, and hydroponics offers and interesting new perspective on biology, answering the question: what do plants actually need to grow? 

For this particular project I have put aside 1 week for research and design, 1 for actually building the hydroponic system, and they rest for growing and maintain the system with plants actually in it. The tools and resources which I have determined to be vital are space (for my basement), a drill, some plants, about $50, and parents who are willing to donate their basement to a (hopefully) permanent new project. Lucky for me, most of these things are readily available in my own house. 

(Disclaimer: I don't have this much space - I do have to live in my house)

I have what I think are simple goals for this project, to grow healthy, thriving plants (which will most likely be strawberries, and learn about the following: how to construct a working structure/system for hydroponics, what nutrients plants need to grow, the positive effects of urban hydroponics (as a little side research project, and how to care for plants. I will figure out how exactly to reach all these goals in my first week of the project which, as previously mentioned, has been put aside for research and design. And, as required by this project, I will also post about my goals as I finish them. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey to my own urban garden, and that, possibly, this will help you build and maintain your own as well.