Plants

Plant Recommendations for System:

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Strawberries

• Bell Peppers

• Herbs

*These plants are durable, fast-growing, and don’t take a lot of work to get started. The pH of our water is compatible with these plants as well.

Lettuce in Hydroponics

Lettuce (and most other leafy greens) should be your first plant to try with a hydroponic system. These plants have a shallow root system that matches their short above-ground height. That means there’s no need to tie stakes or set guides for the plant. Instead, you just let them grow while regularly changing their nutrient solution.

Grow time: About 30 days

Best pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Tip: Stagger plantings so you have a continuous supply of lunchtime lettuce!

Variety options: Romaine, Boston, Iceberg, Buttercrunch, Bibb

Spinach in Hydroponics

Spinach grows quickly in a hydroponic system. You’ll also use far less water than an in-the-ground garden. It’s easy to start these plants from seed and a week after sprouting, move them into your system.

Grow time: About 40 days

Best pH: 6.0 to 7.5

Tip: For sweeter spinach, keep your grow temperatures between 65 degrees F and 72 degrees F. The lower temperatures may slow grow time, though.

Variety options: Savoy, Bloomsdale, Smooth Leafed, Regiment, Catalina, Tyee, Red Cardinal

Strawberries in Hydroponics

The worst thing about strawberries is how seasonal they are. If you don’t get them locally when the crop is ready, you’re relying on trucked-in berries that begin deteriorating as soon as they’re picked. With hydroponics, you can have a ready-to-eat crop of strawberries all year long. Harvesting is super-convenient as well – no bending over! Strawberries seem to do best with an ebb and flow system, but deep water culture or nutrient film technique can do for a small crop.

Grow time: About 60 days

Best pH: 5.5 to 6.2

Tip: Don’t buy strawberry seeds, which won’t be berry-ready for years. Instead, you want to buy cold-stored runners that are already at that stage.

Variety options: Brighton, Chandler, Douglass, Red Gauntlet, Tioga

Bell Peppers in Hydroponics

Bell peppers are a slightly more advanced hydroponic plant. Don’t let them grow to their full height, instead, prune and pinch plants at about 8 inches to spur pepper growth. Deep water culture or ebb and flow systems are best for peppers.

Grow time: About 90 days

Best pH: 6.0 to 6.5

Tip: Plan to provide up to 18 hours of light for these plants each day, and raise your light rack as the plants grow, keeping plants about 6 inches from the lights.

Variety options: Ace, California Wonder, Vidi, Yolo Wonder

Herbs in Hydroponics

There are a wide variety of herbs that work wonderfully in hydroponic gardening. Studies have shown that hydroponic herbs are more flavorful and aromatic than those grown in the field. Basil, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and watercress are all great options.

Grow time: Varies by plant

Best pH: Varies by plant

Tip: Flush your growing medium about once a week to get rid of any extra nutrients that your plants haven’t (or won’t) absorb.

Germination Process:

Materials:

• Paper Towel

• Seeds of choice

• Zip-lock bag

Process:

1. Take your paper towel and moisten it. Make sure the paper towel is saturated.

2. Spread a few seeds across your paper towel. Ensure you leave a few cm between each seed so they don’t come into contact.

3. Cover your seeds with another paper towel that is saturated with water.

4. Place this inside of a zip lock bag. Essentially this helps create an environment similar to a greenhouse, helping your seeds sprout a little quicker.

5. Place the zip lock bag anywhere that will consistently stay around room temperature, and also out of direct sunlight.

6. Around a week later, you should start to see your seedling sprouting. When you see this, it’s time to move them into the hydroponic system.

7. Go back to step 14 on the instructions.