And thanks for reading, commenting and (I hope) sharing. First gather the 4" post piece you cut off, the "flat" vinyl cap (it's actually a slight pyramid shape), both fittings you bought, the water hose, your drill, and a pencil. For herbs, you can grow cilantro, parsley, chives, dill, basil, mint, any of the smaller sized herbs. poetvix from Gone from Texas but still in the south. on August 25, 2014: Kudos! Now let's assemble the whole thing. Although the video shows a vertical garden built to go outside, if you add grow lights, you can use it inside as well. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Repeat with all 4" pipe pieces. Leave an air pocket with some of the roots in the air not the water. I love it when creativity starts to flow! Wash the roots bare. In addition to what you've put together so far, here is what you will need for this step: Water pump, decorative cap, and water. Wow! Do the same on the opposite side. The form you end up with will depend on how much and what kind of room you have, the kind of lighting available, the supplies and tools you have, how much you want to spend, and how patient you are with DIY projects. Answer: Most of what people grow with a hydroponic system are veggies and herbs—veggies like lettuces, cherry tomatoes, radishes, kale, cucumbers, spinach, even green beans. Inspection port bottom fits into round hole cut in bucket lid. The instructions start from the bottom up: How to prepare the bucket first, then the post with pot holders, then the water distribution tray on top. Remove the standoff and move it down to the next section. Instead of soil you use a water and nutrient solution. It is a fun way to grow food and plants indoors without lots of work or money. Patsy Bell Hobson from zone 6a, SEMO on January 30, 2015: I learned so much reading this hub.Great writing. The plant supplies can wait till later, if you like. The red glow on this windowfarm comes from LED lights balancing light from the window on the other side. Turn the fan on and let all of it "cure" for a few hours (or overnight). Hmmmm. Repeat on the other three sides. About 4" away from new end of fence post (opposite bucket lid), start drawing positions for each standoff. (Don't replace the whole thing.) Most of the problems incurred with hydroponic systems can be prevented by the way the system is set up. Now drill about 15 each of 1/4" holes, spaced evenly across the cap, inside of the square you marked. Mount your grow lights so they shine most strongly on the front side of the post away from the window. Oh, the lid again, but with four or five cutouts to accommodate towers. Center the post piece on the cap and draw around the edges to mark its position. Then put the decorative cap on top and you're ready for plants. Push one end of your water hose into the fitting on the bottom. This is where the water goes - pumped up through the hose and the fittings, spilling over the top into the tray, and dripping down through the holes. Radishes grown hydroponically, fed by nutrient-rich water flowing through bare roots. This fact allows hydroponic plants to grow as much as 35% bigger than soil plants. Come back here afterward and tell us how it went. Johnique Davis from Illinois on November 16, 2014: Susette Horspool (author) from Pasadena CA on November 16, 2014: That's great Johnique. You might need a rubber mat and small ladder or stepstool also. Place the holder in one of the post standoffs. If you watched the video, you will have noticed that this system uses PVC piping, a plastic fence post, and a bucket to build the windowfarm. Let the glue dry - approx. Hydroponics is not just for commercial farmers. On the bottom of the post, beyond the bucket lid, cut a large notch out of one of the sides (about 6"x3.5") to accommodate the water pump inside the bucket. Immediately insert plants in a net holder. It would be cool to build such a garden. It is very easy to adjust the nutrients as your plants needs change. When you add water, measure it and keep a log. Next to it, cut a 5" round hole. Turn the post to another side and repeat, letting the standoffs dry before turning to the next side. So you can just pick the solution that is most appropriate and follow the instructions. If you have limited sunlight then it is best to add some grow lighting to your garden. Don’t refill unless it goes completely dry before the plants reach maturity. If it doesn't you might have to glue it in. Question: What would be a good selection of fruits and veggies and any suggestions as to where to find good grow lights? 3. Clamp down the lid, but open the port, so you can see what's going in the bucket. Flat 5" vinyl cap (for post) & 5" decorative cap. Hydroponic plants need to get their nutrients from a nutrient solution. You can use a mix of both grow lighting and natural lighting. Lift up the post and insert into the bucket. I thought my days of gardening was over. Hydroponic Gardens can be fun and easy so try one and you might be hooked. Susette Horspool (author) from Pasadena CA on August 25, 2014: Thanks for reading, sharing, and commenting everyone. The important thing is that you plants get the type and duration of light they need to thrive. There are lots of steps, but it's doable, and the supplies are easy to find and cheap enough to buy. Note how big and healthy they are. To better save on indoor grow lights, make use of your south-facing window. Recently, I moved to an apartment after living in a house for years. I…, the most way to grow any plant inside is with simple aquaponic systems, learn how to turn any fish tank into a garden easy DIY instructions, How to use fish to grow the best indoor plants, 2 Easy DIY Hydroponic Gardens for Beginners, add a little bit of nutrients to the water. Insert one 4" piece into the saw jig. You will need plants, net holders, fertilizer, and grow lights. Take this small NFT hydroponic system if you are a beginner. on this Hub! Because the water and nutrients are so easily accessed by the roots, plants don’t need to fight thru soil to find what they need. Use the holes to cut out each oval with the jigsaw. Cut a 1/2" notch in the rim of the bucket for a pump cord. Most people with carpentry tools can handle this project. The level of the water should be just below the bottom of the cups. Beneath the bucket carry hold, drill a 1/2" hole and insert a grommet (for airstone). It really is much better than chemical. Arun Dev from United Countries of the World on July 24, 2015: Thanks for sharing information about an Indoor Hydroponic Vegetable Garden. Beneath the bucket carry hold, drill a 1/2" hole and insert a grommet (for airstone). It is simply a way of growing plants without using soil. The fence post holds the plant holders vertical, while water drips down the inside (protected from insects) to water the roots. Susette Horspool (author) from Pasadena CA on August 24, 2014: Unfortunately I don't have photos, but the guy who made the video has a whole bunch of others on his website (though not of this one). The round edge of each standoff should be facing up. The table below shows the materials and tools you'll need to build this system. Place the oval edge of a standoff in one of the sections with long edge down. If you do need to add water, only fill half the container. Bulgaria Government, Advanced Nutrients, Public Domain. 10 minutes. The sprinkler cap will be a two piece structure that includes a bottom tray and a decorative cap. Fertilizer can be liquid fish fertilizer or an organic liquid fertilizer of your choice. Drill four 1/4" holes inside the edge of each outline. Loving the subject too, very useful. Place the pump in the bucket with the electrical wire fitting into the notch on the bucket rim. Any hydroponic system will need an air stone except one. Hydroponic plants get air by putting an air stone in your system.