Greens garden

Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden System

A Sustainable Urban Farming Initiative

This project aims to develop a Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden System specifically designed for small-space home use, such as apartments, balconies, and compact kitchens. The goal is to encourage households to grow their own farm-fresh herbs and vegetables year-round, right from their living spaces.

Utilizing a vertical, soilless hydroponic design with nutrient-rich water circulation, the system supports sustainable, space-efficient food production. The project is currently marked In Progress from June 5 to July 31, with high priority status. Final deliverables include a prototype, app interface, and a market-ready standing offer for potential distribution.

Project Phases & Workflow

This project aims to design and implement a Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden System to promote sustainable agriculture, urban food security, and local food systems. The system uses nutrient-rich water in a compact, soilless vertical setup, ideal for small urban spaces.

The project is divided into two key phases:

Phase 1: Research, planning, and prototype setup
Phase 2: Final design, testing, and launch

All tasks and deliverables are tracked using the ClickUp tool, providing clear timelines, priorities, and assignments. The project runs from June 5 to July 31 and is currently marked In Progress with high priority.

Tools used in this Project.

ELEVATOR PITCH

NO YARD ? NO PROBLEM

"No yard? No problem. Our vertical garden brings farm-fresh herbs and greens straight to your home. Designed for small spaces and big results, this living system turns balconies and kitchens into lush, edible landscapes year-round. Our project proves that anyone can grow smart, fresh, and local—no matter how limited the space."

🌿 3D Printable Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden

Grow vertically with this fully modular, support-free hydroponic tower system—perfect for home growers, hobbyists, and educators.

✅ Key Features:

Modular & Stackable: Alternate Part A and B to build your custom height.
Threaded Assembly: No glue or tools—just screw pieces together.
Optimized Grow Cells: 2" angled grow ports for airflow, spacing, and light.
Drip Irrigation Ready: Designed for ½" PVC pipe and standard 5-gal reservoir.
Tool-Free 3D Printing: All parts print cleanly without supports.
Expandable: Add more grow tiers anytime—just print and stack!

🧩 Included Parts:

Base, Cap, Part A & B, Spreader, Mount, Pod Cups, Blank Plugs
Compatible with common hydroponic hardware

🔧 Assembly Overview:

Mount base to bucket lid
Stack Part A & B segments
Insert water pipe and pump
Cap the top & install grow cups
Start growing fresh herbs & greens!

💡 Full part list, instructions, and hardware links are available on Thingiverse.

Ellicitations Methods

Method One

Elicitation MacEwan Sustainability Q&A

Q. How many gallons of Tower Garden do you have?

Ans. It is 15-20 gallons

Q. Where is the pump placed?

Ans. The pump is placed 5 – 7 levels on top of the tower

Q. How is the nutrition provided to the plants?

Ans. It is through a liquid nutrient mixed in water, approximately. 20ml per gallon, and we have LED lights on for around 16hours per day and then kept off for 8 hours.

Q. What plants are usually grown in a vertical garden?

Ans. Mainly herbs and leafy vegetables are grown, but vegetables like radish and squash are also grown in the tower. Multiple crops can be grown in it.

Q. How is the maintenance of the tower done?

Ans. Cleaning is done between harvests, as the plants can sustain 6 to 7 months without cleaning.

Q. How frequently do you keep a check on the plants?

Ans. Once or twice a week.

Q. What material of plastic is used to make the vertical garden?

Ans. It is called food-grade plastic, which is hard and smooth

Q. What is the cost of that tower?

Ans. Approx 1000CAD

Q. What is the basis of the plants?

Ans. We have not used any soil for plants. The roots grow in a net pot, which is made of fiberglass insulation.

Q. What is the watering technique used for plants?

Ans. We use a shower cap that flows from the top through the roots.

Method Two

Elicitation YouTube

1. Growing System & Medium

Hydroponic system: Emphasizes recirculating nutrient solution through towers or racks, with pH and water control

Soil system: Utilizes moisture-controlled potting mix in modular pockets, manually watered

Elicitation: Determine whether the system will use a hydroponic setup with monitoring for pH and water levels, or a soil-based system with manual watering and care.

2. Crop Selection & Output

Hort Americas: Focus on leafy greens and microgreens—fast cycles, high density

Miracle‑Gro: Centres on culinary herbs (basil, chives, parsley), ideal for quick harvest and flavor.

Elicitation: Identify whether the focus will be on high-yield leafy greens and microgreens or on culinary herbs intended for household use.

3. Automation & Monitoring

Hort Americas: Includes guidance on nutrient solution monitoring, pH control, and environmental variables

Miracle‑Gro: Relies on manual watering and potting mix moisture retention, with minimal automation

Elicitation: Specify the level of automation to be implemented, such as sensors and pumps for monitoring, or whether a manual and simplified approach will be used.

4. Structure & Build Complexity

Hydroponic: Requires setting up towers, a reservoir, a pump, and plumbing.

Soil-based: Employs a lightweight frame or pocket planters—DIY-friendly and modular.

Elicitation: Determine whether the chosen design will involve a more complex setup with towers, plumbing, and a reservoir, or a simpler, DIY-friendly structure using modular frames and pocket planters.

5. Location & Seasonality

Hydroponic farms can be indoor or greenhouse setups, year-round feasible with controlled lighting

Herb wall is ideal for indoor or sheltered spaces, less dependent on the climate

Elicitation: Identify whether the project will be located in an indoor or controlled environment suitable for year-round production, or in an outdoor setting that is dependent on seasonal conditions.

6. Feasibility, Cost & Skills

The hydroponic approach is higher cost with technical upkeep (pumps, sensors, solution management).

Herb wall is low-cost, low-tech, easy to construct, and maintain.

Elicitation: Assess the available budget and skill level to determine whether a simple, beginner-friendly build is preferred or if a more technical, expandable hydroponic system is feasible.

Method Three

Elicitation Reddit

1. Moisture & Pump Control

Continuous vs. scheduled water cycles are debated—moisture consistency is crucial.
Reddit Insight: “Pump might need to be on all the time, or just a few minutes every hour.”

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hydroponics/comments/1c9c09q/advice_how_to_water_lettuce/

2. Substrate vs. Bare-Root Systems

Insight: Use of inert media like clay pebbles (LECA) reduces bulk water retention, affecting irrigation timing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hydro/comments/1jss0xt/3d_printed_vertical_hydro_system_some_questions/

3. Watering Frequency per Growth Stage

Insight: Watering schedule should adjust based on plant stage—e.g., more frequent cycles during veg, less in flower.
Example Timings from grower advice:
-Veg: every hour for 4 min
-Flower: every 2–3 hours for 4 min

https://www.reddit.com/r/Hydroponics/comments/1k28ils/outdoor_hydroponic_tomatoes_system_design_followup/

4. Monitoring EC, pH & Nutrient Solution

Insight: Regular testing with EC/pH meters rather than relying on manual estimation is recommended.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hydro/comments/1jss0xt/3d_printed_vertical_hydro_system_some_questions/

Techniques

brainstorming

Identified core problems addressed by vertical gardening, such as limited space, rising food costs, and sustainability concerns.
Brainstormed product features and options including soil-based vs. hydroponic systems, modularity, and indoor adaptability.
Explored risks and constraints, such as light availability, water leakage indoors, and maintenance requirements.
Discussed potential value-added opportunities like DIY kits, educational partnerships, or subscription-based seed/maintenance services.
Asked open-ended team questions to explore innovation, market demand, and real-world usability of the design.
Used brainstorming outputs to define our solution scope, prioritize features, and align with our project goals. ‎

mind mapping

Outlined central concept of the vertical garden and expanded into key branches like design, materials, components, sustainability, and user experience.
Visually organized ideas to show how various elements (e.g., lighting, water system, plant types) connect to user needs and technical constraints.
Identified sub-topics under each main branch, such as pump noise limits, UV-resistant materials, and nutrient circulation methods.
Mapped dependencies and priorities, helping the team understand which features were essential, optional, or interrelated.
Highlighted innovation areas like sensor integration, app controls, and smart automation through logical visual clustering.
Used the mind map for team alignment, ensuring all members had a shared view of the project scope and development path.
Revisited and refined branches as the project progressed to adapt to evolving ideas, feasibility concerns, and new research insights.

concept modelling

Defined the central concept of the project: a modular vertical garden system addressing urban space limitations, promoting sustainability, and enabling user-friendly food production.
Mapped key sub-concepts branching from the core idea, including:
Growing Systems (hydroponic vs. soil-based)
User Segments (home gardeners, schools, restaurants)
Design Features (stackable modules, irrigation system, light integration)
Value Propositions (space efficiency, low maintenance, eco-friendliness)
Visualized the relationship between concepts using a hierarchical concept map to understand how features connect to user needs and system goals.
Distinguished between abstract and tangible elements in the model—such as "self-sufficiency" (abstract goal) vs. "LED grow lights" (concrete implementation).
Explored dependencies between concepts to identify what features are foundational (e.g., structure stability) versus optional or modular (e.g., app connectivity, seed subscription).
Encouraged team contribution by collaboratively building the model with sticky notes or whiteboard tools during early ideation sessions.
Used the concept map to guide design choices, scope decisions, and stakeholder communication—ensuring all ideas align with the project's purpose and user value.
Revised the model iteratively as new features or user insights emerged, maintaining alignment between the conceptual framework and the functional garden design.

data modelling

Identified key data entities involved in the project such as plant species, tower module structure, planting schedule, user profiles, environmental inputs (light, water, nutrients), and maintenance logs.
Mapped relationships between entities using Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs), e.g., one tower contains many plants, each plant has one or more watering schedules, and each user may manage multiple towers.
Classified data attributes for each entity, such as growth duration, sunlight requirement, root depth, watering frequency, and compatibility with other plants.
Explored various data storage formats (e.g., spreadsheets, JSON, or database tables) to support digital integration with planning tools like the Planter app.
Evaluated user data flow, including inputs from sensors (optional), manual tracking of growth stages, or app-based inputs to assess usability and efficiency.
Used modeling to forecast scenarios, such as expected yield per tower ring, estimated water usage, or optimal crop rotation plans based on historical input-output data.
Held team discussions to challenge assumptions and refine entity relationships based on actual gardening needs and constraints (e.g., if some plants need more frequent watering or different soil mediums).

3D Printing Material Decision Matrix – Vertical Garden Tower

Recommended Choice: PETG or PLA (for indoor use)

PLA is great for eco-conscious and easy indoor applications but can deform in heat/sunlight.
PETG is water-resistant and stronger, making it ideal for hydroponic systems that need durability and humidity resistance.
ABS and Nylon are more durable but difficult to print and less environmentally friendly.

Vertical Garden Requirements

1. Functional Requirements

These define what the system must do:
Modular Design: Stackable and detachable sections to allow scalability and customization.
Hydroponic System: Soilless operation using nutrient-rich water circulation.
Water Pump & Timer: Automatic water delivery with a low-noise pump and programmable timer.
Nutrient Delivery: Consistent and even distribution of nutrients across all levels.
Drainage & Recirculation: Integrated system to collect and reuse excess water.
LED Grow Lights (Optional): Supplemental lighting for indoor setups with poor sunlight.
App Connectivity (optional): Track water level, light, pH, or temperature through a basic mobile interface.

3. User Requirements

Centered around end-user experience:
Ease of Use: Plug-and-play setup; suitable for beginners.
Safety: No exposed wiring or sharp edges; water-safe construction.
Refill Indicator: Visual cue for water or nutrient level.
Instruction Guide: Clear, visual manual for installation and usage.

2. Non-Functional Requirements

These relate to quality, usability, and system performance:
Compact Footprint: Must fit in small indoor spaces (e.g., balconies, kitchens).
Eco-Friendly Materials: Preferably 3D printed using PLA or PETG (food-safe, recyclable).
Energy Efficiency: Minimal power usage for pumps and lights.
Low Maintenance: Easy to assemble, clean, and refill water.
Durability: Withstand indoor humidity and moderate handling without degradation.

4. Environmental & Regulatory Requirements

Indoor Compatibility: Must operate safely and cleanly indoors.
Food Safety Compliance: Use of food-safe plastics and components.
Noise Limitation: Pump should operate under a specified dB threshold (e.g., <40 dB).

Vertical Garden Decision Matrix

Recommended Option

Design C: Modular Hydroponic Tower – Best for long-term sustainability, automation, and modern urban living despite higher upfront cost.

Safe vs Unsafe Materials for Seed Starting and Hydroponics

Hydroponic Vertical Garden Test Cases

App Design and Requirements

🌱 Why We Chose the Planter App for Vertical Gardening?

Managing a multi-level tower garden comes with unique spacing, timing, and compatibility challenges. We integrated the Planter app into our project to:
Visually plan each tower ring using a smart drag‑and‑drop grid layout
Optimize plant combinations with companion planting tools
Schedule planting and harvesting based on Edmonton’s local frost dates
Track plant care tasks and document garden data for analysis and reporting
Export layout summaries and seed lists to simplify planning
With Planter, we’re able to increase productivity, reduce planting errors, and make vertical gardening more data-driven and scalable.

🛠️ Vertical Garden Standing Offer

At Project Vertical Garden, we’re committed to bringing sustainable, space-efficient gardening to every home.

We offer a 3D-printed Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden System designed for urban residents, students, and eco-conscious individuals who want to grow fresh herbs and vegetables indoors — without soil, mess, or hassle.

What's Included:

A fully modular vertical tower (customizable height)

3D-printable components (compact, easy to assemble)

Grow ports optimized for airflow and light exposure

Integration-ready design for automated watering systems

Why Choose Us:

✅ Fully 3D-printable and cost-effective

✅ Ideal for apartments, balconies, and compact kitchens

✅ No prior gardening experience required

✅ Clean, minimalist look for modern spaces

✅ Support for sustainable, self-grown food

Maintenance Plan Pricing (per month)

🛠️ Vendor Selection & Cost Estimation

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