Maintaining a hydroponic garden may seem a little to technical compared to throwing a seed in some soil and hoping it grows. But it can be easier than regular soil growing and both methods enable the most 3 important elements to reach the plant, light, nutrients and water.

In a true hydroponic garden there will be no soil, other mediums such as rock wool are used to enable the plant to anchor it’s roots.

With all hydroponic gardens the pH nutrient level is an important factor, too much and it becomes toxic to the plant, to little and the plant begins to starve. Your hydroponic garden will not use water and nutrients in equal parts as it just takes what the plants need which causes the pH level to fluctuate. Keeping an eye on the pH levels will ensure your plant roots are surrounded in a solution that is optimised for plant growth. The recommended pH level for hydroponic gardens is 5 to 6.

Generally the optium temperature for hydroponic gardens is between 71-76F. There are of course plants that will thrive at slightly different temperatures is it can be helpful to the optimum growth temperature for each plant that you grow.

As previously mentioned hydroponic gardens just like regular gardens need light. Natural sunlight is best for plants but since most growers have hydroponic gardens indoors, they will need to compensate for the lack of natural light with grow lamps such as HPS lights.

Growers like having a hydroponic garden as it can be automated, so growing your own plants is easier for the lazy gardener. There is no need for weeding and pests are less likely to be a problem if your growing indoors. Hydroponic Gardens can be a feature in your home where you can grow tropical plants or kitchen herbs.

Hydroponic Gardens can be grown using many different types of hydroponic systems, you can read more about the different hydroponic system in this article. Hydroponic Systems