How To Make Your Own Hydroponic Growing System For Free

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Humans like to complicate things, but things needn’t be as complicated as we make them out to be. Growing food can be done in any environment and with any budget.

Growing food hydroponically can be a way to move past some of the difficulties that some may experience with growing their own food. For example, there are less pest issues, as some of those pests come from and with the soil used. There are both large and small hydroponic systems, which gives you the option of choosing a system that won’t take up much room. From just a small hydroponic system you could grow your own tomatoes, herbs and various leafy greens.

In winter, when prices are high due to certain vegetables and fruits being out of season, and the ground is covered with snow, it can be very helpful to grow the essentials indoor. And to be able to grow these essentials regardless of seasons, funds and weather, is a blessing.

I am here to tell you about a very simple way to start growing food hydroponically. You will need three things.

1. A canning jar – or any appropriately sized and waterproof container.

2. A small basket where the growing medium and seeds will be placed, and the roots will grow.

3. Some brown paper to wrap around the jar. Any will do. I like to use the packing paper that you get when you order something online.

Let’s get started!

• First you sterilise your glass jar. This can be done quite easily by giving it a good wash and placing it in the oven for … minutes at … degrees.

• Get yourself a growing basket that suits the mouth of the jar. You can even make one yourself by cutting out a pattern in a smaller plastic pot. Just be sure to clean it well.

• Wrap the entire outside of the jar in brown paper, but make sure it still stands as well as before. There mustn’t be any risk of it tipping to one side.

• Fill the jar with filtered water and a little bit of fertiliser, according to the instructions on the container. There are ways of making your own hydroponic fertiliser, and I am working on creating my own recipe for one.

• In the basket, you either place some coconut fibre, a few … balls or another hydroponic approved medium. Then you plant your seed within it.

As the seedling grows into a full-fledged plant, you may need to adjust its placement slightly. But other than that, you should be good to go.

A growing light kept above it would be preferable, since it is difficult to give the plant-to-be the right amount of light from the right angle without one. However, you won’t need to give it any light until the seedling has emerged.

Good luck!