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Category: Organic Food

Growing Spinach Indoors Hydroponics
Let’s talk about growing spinach indoors with hydroponics. The spinach veg is an excellent food loaded with many nutritional benefits. Therefore, it will be a great addition to your garden having these fresh leafy greens and they will grow so well in hydroponics.
The spinach growing season is usually restricted to spring and fall. But with growing spinach hydroponically, you get to enjoy your spinach all year round.
We are all about easy indoor gardening and we have outlined all you need to know about growing spinach indoors hydroponics.
Spinach Hydroponics
Growing spinach in hydroponics is very rewarding. You get to enjoy plucking your fresh leafy greens from your indoor garden rather than buying from the grocery stores.
Here is a guide on how you can go about growing spinach in your hydroponics, so read on to learn more.
Tips To Growing Spinach Indoors Hydroponics
Let’s look at how you can germinate hydroponics spinach from seeds. So, the first thing is to germinate your seeds using rapid rooter plugs. Before germinating, always soak the seed plugs in water. Also, ensure you only put a couple of seeds into the plugs to get a successful result.
You can sow about 4 or 5 seeds in each rapid rooter plug. To enjoy a continuous year-round harvest, you can continue to sow new seeds every couple of weeks.
Unlike other leafy greens such as lettuce, basil, etc, it can take up to 3 weeks longer for your spinach seeds to germinate. The ideal temperature for your spinach seed to grow optimally is around 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, give them a light duration of about 12 to 14 hours per day.
Avoid using a heating mat or pad because spinach is a cool-weather crop and raising their temperature can cause poor germination.
You will need to pinch off the heads of several plants once the seedlings begin to sprout above the starter plugs. Ensure you pinch and not pull so you don’t disturb the root system. Only the healthiest or strongest seedlings should be left to continue their growing process.
Once you notice the root emerging out of the starter cube, you can now transfer your spinach seedlings into your hydroponic system. Then you should begin your spinach growth on a one-quarter diluted solution before you increase the strength of your solution slowly.
Hydroponic System For Growing Spinach
We have various types of hydroponics systems and many of them can work for growing indoor hydroponics spinach.
The best types of hydroponics to grow with spinach include nutrient film technique (NFT), raft, and deep water culture (DWC).
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Spinach plants usually have shallow roots, therefore, your hydroponic systems do not need to be so deep. Nevertheless, one of the easiest ways to get started with growing spinach hydroponically is by using the deep water culture system (DWC).
Light Duration For Hydroponic Spinach
Spinach is a low to moderate light duration requiring plant and they don’t need too much intense light. You can supply your hydroponic spinach plant with about 10 to 14 hours of light a day.
There are many different grow light options you can go for when it comes to growing spinach indoors with hydroponics. One great choice is the fluorescent grow light. This is because of its minimal heat emission, moderate power consumption, and affordability.
Nutrient and PH Requirement For Spinach Hydroponic
Clearly, we want our spinach to always grow bountifully in its vegetative stage. To achieve this, you need to provide your spinach plant with NPK nutrients with a high nitrogen ratio. This same nutrient scheme will encourage only the vegetative phase and it can be used up until the harvest period.
Therefore, nutrients high in nitrogen, as well as phosphorous, will enhance the growth of your spinach. The appropriate pH range for spinach is around 5.5 to 6.5.
Temperature Requirements For Spinach
Spinach does not require too high a temperature as they are cool weather crops. The appropriate temperature range for spinach is around 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ensure your hydroponic spinach temperature does not 70 degrees. If it gets to 70 degrees, it may lead to plant bolting. Bolting is when your plant starts entering into the flowering stage which usually leads to bitter-tasting spinach.
Hydroponic Spinach Spacing Requirement
Because spinach is a shallow-rooted plant, it does not need a deep grow bed. So, you can give your spinach plant about 4 to 5 inches of space apart.
Harvest Time Duration For Spinach Hydroponics
Spinach plants should attain their full maturity around 35 to 40 days. Just like the lettuce cut and come again, you can simply harvest a small portion of your spinach. You can as well harvest the whole plant.
Benefits Of Growing Hydroponics Spinach
When you grow spinach hydroponically, you enjoy lots of benefits, and below are some of these benefits:
1. Loaded With Great Nutrients: The leafy spinach is an incredibly healthy food that can be added to your food recipes. It is loaded with iron, vitamins, and folate. It is also great nutrition for blood health and bones.
2. Easy To Garden With: Growing spinach in hydroponics is one easy plant to garden with. Your plants will be less prone to soil-borne disease and have no stress of weeding.
3. All-year-round Supply: Unlike when you grow spinach in an outdoor traditional garden, you may be restricted to growing spinach only during spring. But with growing spinach indoors hydroponics, you enjoy all year round freshly spinach supply.
4. Rapid Growth: Growing spinach with hydroponics encourages faster growth and a healthy abundant yield.
FAQ’s
Can spinach be grown hydroponically?
Yes. You will find that there are many different methods to choose from and you can even mix and match them to suit your needs. As long as there is adequate oxygen, water, nutrients and light, your plants will thrive.
It is very easy to grow spinach in a hydroponic system. Most people use the soilless mix (hydroton) with rockwool or vermiculite for growing. The plants need a lot of light and need to be fertilized regularly. You should know the amount of water you are giving the plant by the size of the container. For example, a large pot will require more water than a smaller one. You can also check the potting soil for moisture content. If it is dry, you can add water.
Can you grow spinach without fancy equipment?
Yes, you can. The first time I tried it, I used a plastic pot with holes drilled in it, a plastic cup for water and a piece of cloth as a growing medium. It worked pretty well. Here’s what I did: I had a 10-inch pot with holes drilled in it, so I put two pots side by side, about 2 inches apart. I put the pot that was to grow spinach in the second one.
I put the pot with the plastic cup on top of the spinach pot, and put the plastic cup right over the holes in the spinach pot. Then, I put a small plastic cup with water in it next to the spinach pot. The plastic cup was a bit bigger than the pot, so I could put a few seeds in it and put the pot right over them. I put a little bit of soil in the bottom of the plastic pot, so that the roots wouldn’t get dried out. Then, I put some seeds in the plastic cup, and put the pot right over the seeds. When the seeds germinate, they’ll grow up through the holes in the bottom of the spinach pot and into the water. You can use any kind of seed, but I found that spinach seeds germinated the fastest.
In a couple days, the plants will be big enough to transplant into their permanent pots. I put the little seedlings in a bigger pot, and then planted them outside in my garden.
Do all lettuces need the same amount of light in a hydroponic system?
The amount of light needed for spinach varies quite a bit depending on the variety of spinach that’s being grown.
This means that if you want to have the very best crop you should look into the best types of grow lights for the type of lettuce that you are growing.
Final Say
As we can see, there are awesome benefits to growing spinach indoors with hydroponics. Simply follow our tips on how to successfully grow your spinach in the comfort of your home and enjoy fresh green spinach.
Remember; keep your spinach seed moist when germinating. Transplant them into your hydroponics when the roots have sprouted out of the germinating cubes. Start with moderate nutrients and gradually raise the nutrient strength as they develop. Also, supply spinach with low light intensity and a short duration of about 12 hours daily.
August 11, 2021
Easiest Plants To Grow Hydroponically
Are you looking for the easiest plants to grow hydroponically? We’ve got the right answer for you here! We have listed 10 plants you can grow hydroponically, so read through to know your best pick.
Growing hydroponically gives you the benefit of enjoying fresh crops and lovely house plants all year round. No matter your location or the season you’re in, you and your family can enjoy fresh yield from hydroponic indoor gardening.
There are different varieties of plants that can be grown hydroponically, and they include vegetables, herbs, flowers, succulents, houseplants, and so on. So, go through our list of the easiest plants to grow hydroponically.
10 Easiest Plants To Grow Hydroponically
Most hydroponic growers especially beginners are usually interested in growing easy plants in their hydroponic garden so they can experience some early success. It’s a good thing to have a successful starting point when it comes to growing hydroponically. This will usually boost one’s interest and confidence.
So, here are the lists of some of the best hydroponics plants you can grow:
1.    Hydroponic Lettuce
One of the most popular and easiest plants that can be grown hydroponically is lettuce. They grow very rapidly and are they are so easy to care for. Lettuce loves water and requires less light, so it’s no surprise they are one of the most loved among hydroponic growers.
2.    Spinach
Spinach is another easy plant you can grow in your hydroponic garden. They are healthy leafy green veggies and they love cool conditions which makes hydroponic settings suitable for them.
3.    Cucumbers
Cucumbers are not left out on the easiest plants to grow hydroponically. Cucumber plants will grow in different hydroponic varieties such as ebb and flow, bubble buckets, and Dutch buckets. They can even grow well in a tower system. They can be grown by hobbyists and commercial growers.
Cucumber plants are excellent vining crops and water-loving. Vining cucumbers require support as they grow and you can use a trellis. The vine variety will as well require room, especially vertical space.
However, if you don’t have enough space, you can go for the bushy variety. Also, you should choose a cucumber variety that is resistant to mildew as cucumbers are pretty vulnerable to the disease.
4.    Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another great option and they are grown at home and in a commercial greenhouse. Just ensure you supply support as your tomatoes begin to fruit and weigh more. They will grow well in drip systems and hydroponic buckets (also called bubble buckets).
5.    Peppers
Just like tomatoes and cucumbers, growing peppers is easy with hydroponics. all you need do is to ensure they receive adequate sunlight or supply them with good grow light.
6.    Strawberries
One of the most common fruits grown hydroponically is the strawberries fruits. They can be grown in a small garden and in a large-scale commercial hydroponic farm. Strawberries grow very rapidly giving you plenty of yield at a better quality rate. They are also less likely to give you any pest issues.
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7.    Basil

Basil herb will also grow easily in hydroponics. The fastest and easiest method of getting started with basil is to purchase basil seedlings and you can get them at any garden center around you. Then you go ahead to transplant the seedlings into your hydroponic system. Ensure you rinse off the soil carefully and thoroughly before transplanting.
8.    Beans
Beans will grow rapidly and require less maintenance to grow at the same time giving you abundant yield. You can grow either the bushy or viny variety. If you are concerned about space and the stress of adding support as they grow, then you should stick with the bushy variety.
9. Carnation
A common flower that can be grown hydroponically is the carnation flower. They can be grown in homes or in a commercial way. Their floral arrangement is so inviting and growing plenty of them in your hydroponics garden can be pretty lucrative.
10.    Watercress
From the name, we can tell this plant is a water-loving plant. It is commonly known to be vegetables; however, their flowers are quite edible. If you want your watercress plant to transition into the flowering phase, you will require changing the nutrient to a flowering nutrient solution. Do this when the plant has grown halfway into its vegetative phase.
Tips For Growing The Best Plants For Hydroponics
Once you have decided the appropriate plants to grow hydroponically, you can follow these tips to guide you to grow appropriately:
- - Grow and supply your plants with good lightning.
  - The pH level of your nutrient solutions should be at the appropriate range so nutrients can be absorbed appropriately for plants growth.
  - Plants that have the same needs can be grouped and grown together. Plants such as tomatoes and tomatoes together or spinach and lettuce.
  - Always support heavy viny plants with trellis as their weight gets overwhelmed.
  - If you’re growing for cooking purposes, have in mind that a hydroponic system will produce a lot. So, ensure you plant only a couple of plants so the yield won’t be so excessive and there is minimal waste.
  - Ensure you carefully and thoroughly rinse off any soil to transplant any young plants or seedlings.
FAQ’s
What is the easiest plants to grow in hydroponics?
When it comes to growing plants in hydroponics, you have a lot of choices. You can grow your plants with soil, rockwool or vermiculite. If you are just starting out and want to grow your first plant in hydroponics, you should consider growing tomatoes. They are easy to grow and there are many varieties of tomato plants that can grow well in hydroponics.
1. Sweet Potatoes – grows quickly and requires no soil at all.
2. Radishes – I think radishes will grow anywhere. They’re cheap to buy.
3. Lettuce – You can get a small bag of lettuce seeds .for less than $
4. Kale – grows like crazy.
5. Peppers – I bought some peppers for $.99 each at Wal-Mart. I think they would be good in a hydroponic system.
6. Parsley has been grown hydroponically for decades and is easy to grow. It is a hardy perennial that can be harvested all year long. Parsley can be grown as a cut flower or an annual vegetable.
What plants cannot be grown hydroponically?
It’s not easy to grow plants without soil. And, it’s even harder to grow them in a way that doesn’t require you to use potting soil or some kind of nutrient solution.
Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow plants in an environment that is more like the natural environment. If you have access to a greenhouse, or even a garage with a lot of sun and air circulation, you can use this method to grow a large number of plants. There are certain plants that cannot be grown hydroponically. The reason is that the roots will rot and die if the roots are not getting adequate water and oxygen.
For starters, there are a few plants that simply don’t like the conditions inside a plastic or glass container. These include cucumbers, lettuce, and eggplants.
Can tomatoes grow hydroponically?
Tomatoes are very easy to grow and can be grown in most any type of container including plastic pots, so you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get started. There are several ways to start your own garden. You can buy a ready-made kit from a local nursery or you can build a grow box yourself. If you decide to build your own grow box, you can use a simple plastic bucket with a lid and some growing medium to start your tomato plants. The next step is to add the soil that your tomato plants will grow in. If you plan on growing several different types of tomatoes, then you may want to purchase a large container for your growing medium. This will allow you to grow a wide variety of tomatoes. Once your grow box is complete, you can plant your seedlings into it. You should water your seedlings after planting them in your hydroponic grow box.
Final Say On Easiest Plants To Grow Hydroponically
We have so many options of good plants for hydroponics. However, starting with the easiest plants will make things easier especially if you’re new to the world of hydroponics. This is because some plants require technical skills and knowledge while others are pretty easy.
Once you have learned and perfected growing some easy plants with your hydroponics system, you can then proceed to expand and work on new plants.
All in all, ensure you have fun while growing hydroponically because growing the hydroponic way is a fun thing to do.
July 30, 2021
Why Is My Lettuce Bitter?
Why is my lettuce bitter? This is one frequently asked question by different lettuce growers especially newbie that experience a bad tasting lettuce at the end of their harvest. We’ve got the answer for you here and possible solutions and prevention to go about bitter lettuce.
The crispy juicy lettuce is a very easy plant to grow. However, the leave turning bitter is one common issue any growers may encounter. The good thing is there are definitely things you can do to avoid them turning bitter and we will enlighten you on this.
So, let’s dive in to see why your lettuce is better and what to do to solve the problems.
Bitter Lettuce
The bittern lettuce is usually experienced with its leaves. There’s no denying that the lettuce leaves’ appearance always looks inviting and all: well, you may become disappointed when you have a bite from a lettuce salad or a wrap.
Why Is Lettuce Bitter?
Heat is the most common reason for bitter lettuce but there are many other conditions that can predispose your lettuce to turn bitter. When you understand the reasons why lettuce may turn bitter, then you can make plans to prevent future occurrences.
1.    Heat Stress
Lettuce is a cool-season crop, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t grow them outside the cool season. Heat is one of the most common and leading causes why your lettuce is turning bitter. As the temperatures rise, the lettuce plant begins to mature and start producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.
This process is called bolting and it’s a natural unstoppable process that occurs when the temperature rises.
2.    Water
Lettuce leaves are water-loving plants which is why they are full of water! Those huge and succulent leaves require water to remain rigid, full, and tasty. Therefore, if your lettuce plants are watered less often, they can become bitter. When you begin to notice brown leaf edges, then that’s a sign of water deprivation.
So, ensure you water your lettuce plants often and avoid their soil becoming too dry.
3.    Nutrition
Lettuce needs adequate nutrition to grow well. The plant is a very fast-growing plant. Thus, it will require all the resources to grow smoothly and any slight deficiency will make the plant bolt. So, lack of nutrition will retard the growth of lettuce and make your lettuce leaves turn bad-tasting.
Ensure you feed your lettuce plant with regular nutrition. However, don’t overdo it because too much fertilizer, especially excess nitrogen can also cause bitter tasting lettuce.
4.    Bad Soil
Another cause for bitter-tasting lettuce is bad soil. Lettuce plants need optimum draining soil and loose soil. This is because of the shallow and thin roots lettuce has. If the soil does not suit the lettuce plant, they will become stressed and begin to bolt.
5.    Aster Yellows Phytoplasma Disease
Aster yellows are one common lettuce disease that can cause lettuce to turn bitter. The lettuce inner leaves will begin to lose color and the outer leaves will look stunted. This can cause the entire lettuce plant to become weak and not useful.
6.    Lettuce Variety
Lettuce plants belong to a wide range of species and there are over 100s of lettuce varieties and types. They have over 20, 000 other family members.
We have many other lettuce varieties that are not used in homes and cannot find their way in our domestic lives. This type of lettuce variety is from the Lactuca virosa.
The variety we consume is the Lactuca sativa. This type ranges from mild to sweet taste. However, their bitterness can still be activated if they are predisposed to conditions that will make them turn bitter.
Bitter Lettuce Prevention
Here are the following things you can do to prevent a bad-tasting lettuce:
- Grow in Semi-Shade: Simply grow them in a semi-shade area and ensure you always keep them cool during hot seasons. You can also plant your lettuce under taller plants that will cover or shade your lettuce plants. You can plant them under tomatoes or crops that are trellised.
- Healthy Soil: Maintain healthy soil and feed the soil with the appropriate nutrient. Add and cover the soil with some mulch to your soil especially hot season and during winter.
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- Use Containers: when you grow your lettuce using containers, it allows you the comfort of simply moving them to a shaded place when needed.
- Shade Cloth: you can purchase shade cloths and create some shade around your garden to block some sun.
- Water Regularly: never deprive your lettuce plants of water as they will need all the moisture they can get. This is important especially during hot seasons.
- Grow in Cooler Months: even though it’s possible to grow lettuce outside cooler months, growing them during cooler months will make your crop last longer.
Bitter Lettuce: What To Do With It?
If at the end of it all you end up with a bad tasting lettuce, here are some things you can do to relief the bitterness:
- Run your lettuce leaves under cool water and put the head in a crisper immediately. Keep it in the crisper for 48 hours and bring it out rinse in cold water again. Then take away the outer leaves and cut the root and tips. The bitter taste should be gone and you can serve right away.
- You can also cook your lettuce to get rid of the bitter taste and mix it with something sweet such as spinach or silverbeet.
Note that lettuce leaves cannot be frozen or dried as they must be used immediately.
So, rather than letting that bitter lettuce go to waste, you can simply revive it by following the above tips.
FAQ’s
Why does my lettuce plant taste bitter?
There are a number of reasons your lettuce could be bitter.
First, it may be too much or too little water. If you are not watering it daily, the plant needs more water. It may also be that the plant has not been getting enough light. If you are in a basement, you will need to provide additional light by using a light box, fluorescent lights, or other means. If you find that you are not able to get adequate light in your basement, you may want to consider relocating your lettuce plant outside, where you can provide adequate sunlight.
How do you fix bitter lettuce?
It’s one of the most common problems that crops face in our backyard, and if you’re like me, you’ve probably tried many different things to help with it. My usual method is to cut off the worst parts, but then I often end up throwing them out.
You can add vinegar. I don’t mean just any old vinegary taste. I mean the kind of vinegar that makes a salad pop with flavor.
Why is my hydroponic lettuce bitter?
I’d bet that it’s because of something in the water. I think you may be looking for a chlorine filter or a carbon filter. Chlorine kills bacteria and will kill off the bacteria in the water.
Bitter taste is often associated with the presence of oxalic acid in the plant. It’s produced as a defense against bacteria and fungi that are feeding on the plant.
This can be caused by either over-watering or by over-fertilizing. If you fertilize with nitrogen-rich materials, then it will increase the concentration of oxalic acid. Keep the soil moist but not soggy; too much moisture can lead to root rot. I have a few pots of lettuce that have been growing for 3 weeks and they have started to get bitter. I have had the same soil mix, same lighting, and same water source for all 3 plants. The soil was changed weekly and everything else has remained constant.
How do I make my lettuce not bitter?
Lettuce is naturally bitter, which is why we eat it with some sort of dressing. The bitterness comes from oxalic acid, which is very soluble in water. In general, the more the leaf has been dried, the less bitter it will be.
Some types of lettuce are less bitter than others. You can also rinse the leaves in a bowl of water to remove some of the bitterness. If you’re concerned about the amount of salt you’ll be adding to your salad, it’s best to add some lemon or lime juice to cut the bitterness before adding the salt. We usually recommend rinsing the lettuce in cold water for 30 seconds to 1 minute before dressing. A quick rinse should get rid of most of the bitterness. You can also use a salad spinner to dry the lettuce after washing.
Final Say On Why Is My Lettuce Bitter?
So, there you have it on why your lettuce is turning bitter. Follow our tips on preventing your lettuce from turning bad so you can enjoy a better tasteful lettuce meal.
July 29, 2021
How To Pick Basil
Did you know there’s a right way to harvest basil to ensure they flourish and you get to enjoy continuous yield? That’s right! So, learning how to pick basil the right way is important and we will teach you how.
The sweet aromatic and tasteful basil is one popular herb loved by many. It is a culinary herb that any kitchen lover can use for various dishes. The tasteful basil herb is even more distinguishable when grown and used fresh from the garden. Therefore, you would agree that it’s a must-have in every garden.
When growing basil plants, how you pick them matters and we will enlighten you on this. So continue reading to find out.
Growing Basil Plants
There are different varieties of basil to grow, but sweet basil is the most common type of basil grown. Other types of basil include Thai basil, cinnamon basil, purple basil, lemon basil, etc.
Basil plants can be grown both hydroponically and in an outdoor garden. However, it will only grow outdoors during summer when the soil is warm. But with hydroponics, you can grow them all year round.
Planting Basil
To commence basil planting, get your seeds and plant them. You can plant them indoors if you wish. Preferably, you should plant them 6 weeks before the last spring frost. They are pretty frost sensitive so ensure you insulate them during freezing temperatures or bring them indoors if you’re growing with a container.
Once the seedlings have begun yielding their first 6 leaves, trim them to the top of their second set of leaves. This will stimulate your basil plant to start branching. Thus, this will encourage the multiplication of leaves for an abundant harvest.
Pinch off the middle shoot once it’s 6 weeks as this will prevent early flowering. And if you notice any flowers growing, simply cut them off so that the vegetative process will keep ongoing.
Basil can be grown in flower beds or containers. For outdoors planting, ensure the soil has warmed up to about 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is crucial because heat is necessary for the growth of your basil. Choose a sunny location to plant your basil and target 6 to 8 hours full or partial sun daily.
Read more about How Many Basil Plants Per Pot?
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Moisture is another important factor in planting basil. Basil plant loves moisture so ensure the soil is well moist but not soggy and ensure the soil should be well-draining.
Avoid using pesticides on your basil if they’re meant for cooking as this can produce unhealthy basil leaves to be consumed. Also, avoid planting them close to a driveway or busy streets to prevent exhaust from settling on your plants.
Once, the freezing temperature approaches, harvest your basil plants because your plants will be destroyed during this period.
Best Way To Harvest Basil
The following guidelines will teach you how to pick basil correctly so read on to learn.
Best Time For Picking Basil
It’s fine to pick basil any time of the day. However, morning is the best time to harvest basil but that does not stop you from harvesting them at period.
Learning How To Pick Basil
When you harvest your basil plants the appropriate way, you’re encouraging a fuller and bountiful subsequent harvest.
Once your basil plant attains the length of 6 inches, that’s the right time to harvest: ensure your basil plant does not exceed 8 inches.
Pick your basil from stem to stem and avoid cutting off the stem. Be gentle as you pinch off the leaves from the stem they are attached to. Avoid using sharp tools to cut the leaves only if you will be careful enough from injuring the stem.
Ensure you always pick the leaves from time to time to enhance more growth. However, you should avoid picking the basil leaves from the bottom stem to prevent your plant from being thin and tall as this will not encourage a healthy production.
Don’t stop harvesting even if you don’t need the basil leaves so as to encourage continuous growth. You can pick and store the basil leaves for later use. Pinch off or remove any flower bud or flower so your basil plant can grow more leaves rather than flowers.
When their growing season has ended, (this is before the first frost) you can cut the stem off the ground. Harvest all your basil and bring them indoors for cooking. The excess basil leaves should be preserved for later use.
Read more about Transferring Soil Plants to Hydroponic
Storing Basil Leaves
It is important you also learn how to store basil correctly. This is because it’s likely you pick the leaves regularly and excess basil might remain and you won’t want to just throw the excess basil away. So here are the two ways you can store your basil leaves:
- Freezing: To store your basil leaves appropriately, you will need to freeze them. When you freeze them, they remain fresh and most of their tasty flavor is kept intact. You will need to pack them in a resalable airtight plastic bag to store them. Then you proceed to place them in the freezer.
- Drying: Drying is another method of storing your excess basil leaves. However, some flavor will be lost in this process. You can dry your basil by spreading them in a shady area for 3 or 4 days. If you have done this after 3 or 4 days and they aren’t dried completely, you can finish drying them in the oven. Simply turn your oven to the lowest heat and leave the door slightly open. Turn them regularly for an even drying till you achieve all your basil leaves all dried. When they are done drying, put them in a dry paper bag and keep them in a warm place like your kitchen cupboard.
- Storing Fresh Basil In Water: If you wish to cut the stem of your basil, you can place them inside a glass jar. Keep them out of direct sunlight and they will last you up to two weeks.
FAQ’s
How do you pick basil so it keeps growing?
The secret to success is to pick basil when it’s at its best, and then leave it alone. But you don’t have to wait until you see a whole bunch of leaves to pick your basil. You can harvest a few leaves off the stems every few days to keep the plant healthy. And if you have a big pot, you can harvest as many leaves as you want from the center of the plant.
How do you keep basil from getting too big?
There are several ways to keep basil plants from getting too big. You can pinch off the side shoots as they appear. Or you can cut off the top of the plant when it reaches 6 inches tall. Or you can wait until the plant gets bigger and then use pruning shears to remove the center stems.
Do you pick fresh basil from the top or bottom?
The best and freshest basil is picked from the top of the plant. In other words, it is picked at the stem end.
How do you pick basil without killing it?
The most common way to select a bunch of basil for your cooking is to look for the greenest leaves. If they are not quite as dark green as the leaves of a leek, or if the leaves have started to yellow, they are probably ready to be picked. The other method is to smell the leaves. If the scent is sweet, like that of oregano, they are ready to use.
When can I pick basil leaves?
The plant itself doesn’t have an ‘exact’ time when it will be ready to harvest. In general, as long as the leaves are still green (unripe), you can harvest them.
You can start harvesting basil as soon as the weather is warm enough to grow it outside. As long as it’s not too hot or cold, you should be able to get some good leaves from your plants.
How do I know if my basil plant needs to be watered?
Basil doesn’t like hot and dry weather.
When the air is hot and dry, your basil may wilt and look sickly. You can help your plant by giving it a drink of water. If you see that your plant looks pale or droopy, give it another drink of water.
How do I keep basil from getting moldy?
Basil plants can get moldy in the summer months when the weather is very hot and humid. You can prevent this problem by keeping your basil in a place where the temperature stays cool, like a basement or a garage. You should also make sure your basil has plenty of moisture by watering it regularly.
How To Pick Basil: Conclusion
As we can see there are great benefits to picking your basil the appropriate way. Follow our guidelines on how to pick basil and enjoy a continuous harvest of the tasteful basil herb.
July 25, 2021
How To Do Vertical Farming At Home
You can enjoy fresh veggies and other types of crops in the comfort of your home by venturing into vertical farming. This post will give you an easy guide on how to do vertical farming at home.
Vertical farming is a type of farming system that involves growing crops in a stacked-up manner. So, if vertical farming interests you and you’re wondering how to do vertical farming at home, we will enlighten you in this post.
What Is Vertical Farming System?
A vertical farming system is a method of growing all types of crops in vertical layers. Plants are stacked up to save more space and this allows you to raise plants in a much closer space. It also encourages maximum utilization of very small space at the same time results in abundant yield.
How To Do Vertical Farming At Home
How to do vertical farming at home is easy and we will put you through this. The first thing is to decide if you would be building a DIY system or if you’d purchase the complete supplies.
However, there is a popular and easier vertical DIY system that will especially suit your home or kitchen. This type of vertical farming structure was designed by Belgian professor Willem Van Cottehem.
This method makes use of transformed regular bottles into usable containers by stringing them together in a container rack. Also, all types of plants including young tree (will be transplanted after attaining optimal height) can be grown using this technique.
The most interesting beneficial thing about this type of vertical system is that it doesn’t make use of electricity. Also, it is simply a low-cost, sturdy, and much simpler type of vertical farming.
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Steps On Bottle Tower Vertical Home Farming
Follow these steps to learn how to carefully set up the bottle tower garden and the materials required in building a bottle tower garden:
Step 1
So, obtain some plastic bottles of water. Stack up about 6 to 7 rows depending on your preference. Trim off the base of all the bottles resulting in two openings: the base and the funnel. Also, drill two holes close to the lid on the two sides. These holes will serve as drainage for draining excess water in the system.
Step 2
So, fill the bottle with a soil mix composed of local soil and compost or animal manure. Fill the bottle up and leave about an inch free at the base.
Since the bottle will be stacked up line by line, the bottles at the bottom row of the vertical garden should have their lid or cover. A hole should be drilled into the cover. This bottle should stand at the bottom of the tower. So, the rest of the rows or layers should be stacked without the cover.
Step 3
All the bottles are attached to a wall or any kind of supporting structure. A binding wire is also used to hold or attach the bottles together.
Then the upper part of the stacked bottle should be with a cover or lid. This will serve as a funnel for filling the bottle at the top of the tower. Water for example can be poured via the upper bottle and it will drip down into all the other bottles in the tower.
Step 4
Next, make a small window by cutting part of each bottle. You can decide to create two windows by cutting the upper and lower part of each bottle. So, it is through this window that seed, seedlings, or young plants are planted into.
An extra tip to improve the dripping system from the funnel of the upper bottle put a little sand in the upper bottle funnel. Therefore, this sand in the upper funnel will serve as a filter as water goes down through the upper bottle funnel down other bottles.
What To Grow In Vertical Indoor Farming at Home?
There are various crops to be grown in vertical farming. You can grow all kinds of vegetables. However, you may be limited in growing bigger and taller plants as they may not accommodate them as they grow big. You can also grow various types of succulent plants.
So, below are some examples of vegetables or fruits that can be grown in a vertical system:
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Chilies
- Celery
- Microgreens
- Other young plants
- Including succulents
FAQ’s
Is vertical farming worthwhile?
Vertical farming is a growing trend in which plants are grown in a controlled environment that allows them to grow on a flat surface with little or no need for soil. As opposed to conventional, horizontal farming methods where crops are grown in rows and watered with sprinklers or drip irrigation, vertical farms use hydroponic systems and controlled lighting to provide all the nutrients required for optimal growth.
While vertical farming has been around for decades, it’s only recently that more and more homes have adopted the concept. If you do it right, it is definitely worth the effort.
It is accomplished by stacking multiple layers of plastic over trays filled with hydroponic nutrient solution. The plant roots grow through holes in the plastic, which allows the plants to receive all the nutrients they need. In a vertical farm, the layers of plastic are stacked on top of one another, creating a series of growing chambers that can be used for different types of crops.
What’s a great system for home-use?
Let’s take a closer look at the Grow Tower and see what makes it so great.
Advantages of the Grow Tower
1.You don’t need to worry about temperature, light, or any other aspect of growing plants. The Grow Tower allows you to grow any plant from seeds.
2. It’s eco-friendly There are many benefits to growing your own food, but one of the biggest is sustainability. Growing your own food doesn’t use up a lot of resources, and it doesn’t require a lot of land. The Grow Tower is also an eco-friendly system. This means you can grow food in any environment. You don’t need a greenhouse, and you don’t need to buy fertilizer.
3. It’s cost-efficient One of the most important aspects of growing your own food is cost-efficiency. The Grow Tower is one of the most cost-effective systems for growing plants. It can be used in any location, whether indoors or outdoors, and it costs less than traditional methods.
4. It’s portable If you want to grow plants outside, but don’t have the space, the Grow Tower is the perfect solution. It’s modular, so you can create the height you need. You can add more modules to increase the height, and you can remove them when you’re finished. The Grow Tower can be moved from one place to another, and you can even take it on vacation. You won’t have to worry about bringing seeds or soil with you.
5. It’s convenient One of the biggest advantages of the Grow Tower is that it’s convenient. You can grow plants anywhere, whether it’s in your backyard or on a boat. You don’t have to worry about where to grow them, and you don’t have to use a greenhouse. The Grow Tower also has an automatic watering system, so you don’t have to worry about watering.
6. It’s customizable You can customize the Grow Tower to fit your needs.
7. It’s incredibly easy to grow plants using the Grow Tower One of the biggest advantages of the Grow Tower is that it’s easy to use. It doesn’t require much space, and it doesn’t require any technical knowledge. All you need to do is add soil to the base, place the seeds on top, and water.
Why is vertical farming great over soil in small homes?
The vertical farming system allows plants to grow in a container that is completely submerged under water. This eliminates the need to use soil and the use of nutrients makes it possible to grow plants on a much smaller scale. These systems also allow you to grow food year round, which is why they are becoming so popular. Vertical farming systems are great for growing herbs and vegetables that are low maintenance. They also allow you to grow food without spending a lot of money.
Vertical farming systems are great for small farms and urban settings. The only problem with these systems is that they are expensive. However, there are ways to cut down on your costs. First, you can make your own grow beds. You can either use PVC pipes or concrete blocks to make your beds. When you grow plants in containers, you will need to fill the containers with potting mix. You will also need a system to keep the water level constant. This can be done with a reservoir, which can hold up to one thousand gallons. If you want to make your own grow beds, you can build them into a greenhouse. For example, if you have a two car garage, you can put your grow bed into the lower part of the garage. Make sure you have a system to keep the water from leaking out. If you are going to use a grow bed, it is best to do it outside. If you are going to do it inside, you will need to build a frame that will hold the container in place. You will also need to make sure that the container is waterproof.
Home Vertical Farming Closing Remark
We do hope this article has enlightened you on how to do vertical farming at home? So, get farming in a vertical manner and enjoy maximum crop yield in a managed space.
June 8, 2021
How To Harvest Leaf Lettuce
Are you ready to enjoy all-year-round fresh green salad lettuce? Let’s dive in. Lettuce leaves should be harvested the appropriate way so it keeps growing nonstop. If you’re wondering how to harvest lettuce leaf the right way, we will teach you how to go about it.
Nothing is more pleasing when a gardener is able to grow and harvest fresh lettuce and get that non-stop or continuous harvest. Read on to discover how to harvest a cut and come again lettuce leaf.
Planting Lettuce Leaf Right
Some gardeners, especially newbies may think when you harvest lettuce leaf once you can’t come back for it again. But that’s mostly not true. If you cut your lettuce leaf the right way, you can always come again for another cut.
The best lettuce variety that will allow you to cut and keep growing is the mesclun variety. This mesclun variety is loose-leaf lettuce rather than head lettuce and it offers great textures, flavor, and colors.
This type of lettuce variety can be spaced a bit closer to each other. Every week or every other week, ensure you plant new crops so you can enjoy nonstop harvest leaf lettuce. If you wish to choose other lettuce varieties, they are also fine.
Learn How to Harvest Green Leaf Lettuce
You can start harvesting your lettuce leaf or baby lettuce when they attain about 4 inches long. The outer leaves are the best to pick so always aim to cut the outward leaves. These ones always taste amazing and you can prepare some lovely salad green with them. Be sure they always taste superior compared to the matured ones.
Use a sharp tool like scissors or shears to cut them in singles or a bunch above the crown. Avoid cutting inwards or below the crown so your lettuce plant does not die off.
A lettuce farm where you can continuously harvest will have several rows of growing lettuce. The lettuce leaves will continue to grow at various stages of maturity with some being a week or two older. As you continue this cycle, you are also slowing down the bolting process which is what we want.
Every time you pick, ensure you pick from different rows so other rows that have been harvested before can have time to grow again. Each time you harvest, ensure you plant progressively so you can come for more crops after a week or two of harvesting. This is another way of ensuring the cut and come again experience.
Always have in mind that after cutting a row, the new lettuce leaf will be ready to be harvested again in about two weeks.
When To Harvest Leaf Lettuce
You can check your seed pack for days of maturity to know when to harvest your lettuce leaves. Depending on the kind of variety your choose, lettuce can take up to 60 to 100 days to mature.
From the size and shape of the lettuce head, you should be able to tell when it’s ready.
However, you can harvest anytime, just ensure you always harvest your lettuce leaf before they go into bolting. They enter bolting at the end of their growing season and this is when you should discontinue harvest.
Bolting is when they start to enter the flowering stage and this occurs during the hot season. Bolted lettuce leaf will result in a bitter taste which is what we do not want.
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During the hot season, you can try and shield the lettuce leaf by covering each row. Use shade cloth or row covers to shield your lettuce. This will help in delaying the bolting process.
However, you should avoid planting lettuce during hot climates. Hold on till the climate is cool around fall or spring and continue planting your lettuce.
FAQ’s
How do you harvest leaf lettuce so it keeps growing?
Leaf lettuce is a popular salad green because of its crisp texture, but harvesting the leaves for salad can be laborious. The leaves are not very hardy, and when they are harvested they start to wilt and fall over. You could harvest the leaves as soon as they are ready.
You don’t have to do anything special to keep the lettuce growing. If you’re harvesting for salad, just leave the whole plant in place and pick the leaves as needed. When you cut off the head, you’re only removing the top of the plant, and the lettuce will continue to grow.
Will lettuce regrow after cutting?
The stems of lettuce regrow when cut, and you can harvest the leaves again. In some cases, it takes a couple of days for the new growth to develop. If your lettuce is cut too close to the base of the plant, the roots will be damaged and the plants won’t regrow.
How do I know when my leaf lettuce is ready to pick?
Leaf lettuce comes in a wide range of varieties, each with its own growing season. Lettuce is a cool-season crop and requires at least 5 hours of daylight, and preferably 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day. Most varieties will be harvested when the heads are full and have formed tight, compact heads. You can harvest lettuce when it is still slightly tender, but before the heads begin to develop cracks. As a general rule, you can tell when lettuce is ready to be picked by looking at the leaves. If they are large and dark green, then it’s probably ready. However, you should still pick them while they are still small, bright green and tender.
How many times can you regrow lettuce?
Lettuce is an annual plant. It will grow from seed, but it will not grow again until the next year. Lettuce is a cool-weather crop, and it can be difficult to grow in the hot weather of summer. But if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you can keep growing lettuce all summer long.
The first time you grow it will be more difficult because you don’t have an established root system, and you won’t know exactly where to place your seedlings. But once you have several plants growing at the same time, it gets easier.
If you are growing it from seed, expect to start with a few seedlings and eventually get down to one plant per square foot (or two or three).
How do you keep lettuce growing in the summer?
You can grow lettuce year round, but it does take some extra attention and planning. The main thing is to start from seed in the spring and plant every two weeks until late fall, when temperatures are cooler. You don’t want to plant the seeds too early and then have them die over the winter. A good way to space your plants is to sow seeds a couple of inches apart and thin to one plant per hill.
There are several types of lettuce that grow well in hotter climates. The ones with a red leaf are romaine lettuce. They will tolerate hot weather and do well if watered daily. You may also want to water it once a week at least. Romaine lettuce is a good choice for salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Other lettuces that will tolerate hot weather are butterhead, iceberg, and leaf lettuce. They will also do well if you water them daily.
How To Pick Lettuce
Always harvest the outer part of the lettuce leaf throughout their growing season and harvest at the right size. Ensure you plant more lettuce progressively as you harvest. If you do this always, you will enjoy continuous growth for many more seasons. Remember, lettuces will only grow well in cool weather conditions.
Once you have harvested your lettuce leaf, you can store them by refrigerating them for a week or two.
If you follow our tips on how to successfully plant and harvest leaf lettuce, you should be able to enjoy fresh and green salad all year round.
We do hope this information has been helpful to your garden. Happy growing.
May 28, 2021
PH For Hydroponic Lettuce
You might be interested in growing lettuce hydroponically. If you’re wondering what’s the best pH for hydroponic lettuce, we will let you know in this post.
Leafy greens such as lettuce are some of the most common crops to grow in hydroponics. They are especially great for hydroponic newbies. Lettuce is pretty easy to grow and you will derive lots of healthy benefits from incorporating it into your diet.
Now growing hydroponic lettuce has some requirements such as a balanced pH, nutrient solutions, accurate temperature range, etc. We will cover the best pH for hydroponic lettuce and other requirements you need to know. So, read on to learn.
Lettuce Hydroponic System
The lettuce hydroponic system is a method of growing lettuce without the use of soil. Water solutions dissolved in nutrients are used to grow lettuce plants.
With a lettuce hydroponic system, you enjoy faster growth, higher yield, healthier crops, and many more benefits. You can commence lettuce hydroponic by purchasing a complete hydroponic system or go for a DIY unit.
Required pH For Hydroponic Lettuce
Constant monitoring of your lettuce nutrient solutions is paramount in maintaining a smooth and running system.
The required pH for hydroponic lettuce ranges from 5.6 to 6.2. This pH range is acidic enough to reduce the activities of algae and at this pH range, plants can absorb nutrients adequately for their growth.
The pH range for seedlings should be adjusted to 6.4 and as your plant matures, the pH should be adjusted to 6.0.
However, if the pH goes high on the pH scale, it falls into the alkaline range which is not good for your plant. The alkaline range that’s too much or too high can cause a nutrient lockout. Nutrient lockout causes the inability of your hydroponic lettuce plants to absorb nutrients.
When nutrient lockout occurs, your lettuce plants will start to show signs of nutrient deficiencies. Symptoms such as yellowing of leaves, wilting of plants, stunted growth, and so on will be seen.
You may end up losing your lettuce plants if action is not taken fast. Hence, ensure you always monitor your pH levels at least once a day.
You should also note that plants absorb nutrients at various pH ranges. Hence, the pH level is borne to change constantly. The only thing you can do is to make sure they fall in between the lettuce plant’s recommended pH range which is 5.6 to 6.2.
Making use of pH up and pH down products are great to maintain a steady and balanced pH range.
Hydroponics Nutrient Solution For Lettuce
The recommended hydroponic nutrient solutions to successfully grow lettuce are those that contain majorly calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and they are needed in high quantities.
Calcium is especially crucial for the growth of lettuce because a calcium deficiency can cause lettuce leaf tip burns. This issue is very common so ensure the levels of your calcium are accurate.
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The nutrient solutions must provide all necessary key elements for maximum production at their vegetative stage. At the same time, these nutrient solutions must not push the lettuce into its flowering or bolting stage. Flowering only causes bitter lettuce and we want to avoid that.
Although lettuce has different varieties and some are more or less sensitive to nitrogen: always ensure the nutrient solution that you are buying suits the type of lettuce variety you will be growing. Read the nutrient pack instructions for better directions and use.
Other Requirements For Hydroponics Lettuce
- Temperatures: The recommended temperatures should range from 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that all varieties of lettuce love cool temperatures. If the temperature is high, bolting or flowering will take place. We however want to prevent bolting from occurring because it always gives rise to bitter lettuce leaves. Temperatures that exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit will cause bolting.
- Light Requirements: Lettuce plants do not require much light. Light duration from 10 to 15 hours daily is enough. They can be supplied with moderate or low light.
- Aeration: Some lettuce varieties can tolerate low oxygen levels. However, we recommend you always maintain a well-aerated system as this will boost the healthy growth of roots. We recommend dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) to be around 8 ppm.
- Growing media: Lettuce will do well in most growing media such as rock wool, coco coir, etc. However, the main growing medium is the nutrient solution. It is the nutrient solution that provides most of the support for lettuce growth.
Can Vinegar Be Used to Lower pH in Hydroponics?
Vinegar, also known as acetic acid is a weak acid that can be used to lower pH in hydroponics systems. It can however be used only as a temporary solution as it does not remain stable for long.
The pH in hydroponics changes constantly so it would be better to use an acid with more stability, such as phosphoric acid.
How Do You Use a Hydroponic pH Meter?
A pH meter is a very important tool to have and use if you are running a hydroponics system. It is more important than it would be if you were growing plants in the soil. The reason for this is that pH fluctuates more in aquaponics than in a soil-based plant-growing medium.
Soil has what is referred to as a buffering capacity. What this means is that it can correct for pH changes to be the in the right pH range for the plants that you are growing. Soilless growth media such as those used in hydroponics systems lack this ability and advantage.
To be able to manage the pH in your hydroponics system, a pH meter like this one is an absolute necessity. You will need to monitor the pH of our system daily to avoid any adverse consequences. The thing with unfavorable pH changes is that you want to catch them as early as possible before they cause any problems which may damage or even kill your fish. Here is how you use a hydroponic pH meter:
- Using test strips
Using test strips is by far the cheapest way to test your hydroponic pH. Test strips are covered with a pH-sensitive dye that will change color when dipped into the water. You will then compare this color to the color chart to determine the pH of your hydroponics solution
- Liquid test kits
This is another popular method used to test for pH. It is also more accurate than the test strip method, so if you are looking for more accuracy this may be the choice for you. These test kits are commercially available and can be purchased from various distributors. The way this work is that you put a few drops of pH-sensitive dye into a vial containing your water or nutrient solution. The color of the solution will change, and you will compare this color to a color chart to determine the pH, just as you would do with the test strips.
- pH meter
The best and most efficient way to test pH in your hydroponics system is with the use of a digital pH meter. They come in different types and price ranges. You can find one to suit your needs as well as your pocket. Digital pH meters are very easy to use, simply insert the electrode into the water and it will give you a pH reading. Remember to calibrate your meter regularly so that it will give you accurate readings.
Can You Use Hydrochloric Acid to Lower pH in Hydroponics?
Hydrochloric acid can be used to lower pH in hydroponics. It can however be dangerous in high concentrations, as it can damage your plants. So you need to be careful if you use it, or use safer acids such as phosphoric acid which can even be beneficial to your plants by adding phosphates which are plant nutrients.
Conclusion
We hope that you have learned all you needed to know about the required pH for hydroponic lettuce. Remember to always monitor your hydroponic nutrient pH constantly and adjust when you notice any slight change.
Happy growing!
FAQ’s
What is the best hydroponic fertilizer for lettuce?
When grown in soil, lettuce does not need to be fertilized. As long as the plants are getting enough water, they can get their nutrients from the soil. If you are growing in a greenhouse, you should add fish emulsion or compost tea to the soil, which will provide the nutrients needed for your plants.
Lettuce needs a lot of water to grow well. Keep the soil moist, but do not let it get soggy. Water thoroughly when the weather is warm and the soil is dry. A small amount of fertilizer can be applied at this time. Once temperatures cool down in fall, water less often. In order to grow the best-tasting lettuce, plant seeds about 3 weeks before the last frost date. The lettuce seeds will germinate once the temperature warms up in spring. After they have germinated, thin the seedlings so that there is only one or two plants per square foot. This will allow them to grow large and have plenty of room to spread out.
Lettuce needs a slow-release fertilizer to grow, and it also needs high levels of nitrogen. The best time to fertilize lettuce is in the fall. The leaves should be dark green, shiny and crisp. If the lettuce leaves are yellow, they need more nitrogen.
What pH should water be for hydroponics?
The pH of the water is one of the most important factors in growing plants.
There are many different ways to measure the pH of a solution, and there are many different theories as to how much the pH affects plant growth. However, it is safe to say that a pH of around 5.0 is ideal for growing healthy plants. If you use distilled water, you can adjust the pH of the solution easily by adding more or less H2O. However, if you use tap water, you will need to buy some chemicals to make the pH of the water exactly what you want. pH is measured on a scale of 0-14, with 0 being the most acidic, and 14 being the most alkaline.
What happens if pH is too low in hydroponics?
There are a few things that can happen when pH is too low in a hydroponic system. Most of the time, you won’t even notice anything. Your plants will be fine, and you will have a healthy crop. If you’re growing in a soil based hydroponic system, you will need to change your water to ensure that it’s not too acidic. This is important because soil contains many beneficial microbes that are essential for plant growth.
These microbes work with the roots of your plants to absorb nutrients, and they also help break down organic waste in the soil. If your pH is too low, these beneficial microbes will not be able to do their job. Instead, your plants will suffer from nutrient deficiencies and may even die. You can lower the pH of your hydroponic solution using a simple pH test kit. You’ll find that most of the time, the pH of your solution is fine.
May 11, 2021
Raising Prawns In Aquaponics
If you love prawns and you wish to raise some for yourself in your aquaponics, then waste no time in getting started. Raising prawns in your aquaponics can be an excellent way of adding a different touch of diversity to your system.
It’s possible to raise prawns together with your tilapia fish or any other fish you may have in your system. We will enlighten you on how to introduce freshwater prawns into your aquaponics system. So let’s begin.
Guidelines On Raising Prawns In Aquaponics
Raising prawns along with fish is pretty dynamic. Prawns are bottom feeders and they will feed on anything they find. This includes the fish waste that is not absorbed by your plants making them a reliable filtering animal. They can as well feed on snails and other organic matter so if you’re having issues with snails in your aquaponics, adding prawns might be a way out.
The best type of aquaponics to use for raising prawns is a floating raft. To introduce prawns into your aquaponics, integrate them into your fish tank or under the floating raft. You can as well integrate them in both floating raft and fish tank. Let’s discuss this in detail.
1. Floating Raft: under your floating raft, it’s usually a habit to have a handful of organic waste such as dead roots, leaves, etc. Prawns like to feed on organic waste so they can be helpful in this aspect. You might also be wondering if prawns will feed on your plants’ roots, the answer depends. In a standard situation, prawns won’t eat your root. However, when they become hungry or when you have too much prawn population, it’s possible they bite on your plant roots. For this reason, ensure you control their population. Take out some if they become too many in your system.
2. Fish Tank: another possible way to incorporate prawns into your aquaponics is to put them in your fish tank. Prawns are bottom dwellers, so you don’t have to worry about them crawling up to your fish. They will as well feed on excess fish waste thereby maintaining a clean bottom tank.
3. Both Fish Tank & Floating Raft: it is also possible to incorporate prawns in both your fish tank and floating raft. This is usually the best option as you get to maintain clean both a fish tank and floating raft.
Precautions To Take When Raising Prawns In Aquaponics
Remember they both prawns and fish can be territorial so you need to keep both from each other. There are some precautions you need to put in place so your prawns and fish do not attack each other or even meet each other.
When prawns are in their juvenile stage, it’s possible for your fish to want to feed on them. So, it’s necessary you create a barrier to keep them away from each other. You can make use of a bird mesh with corner PVC trays by laying them in the bottom of your fish tank. This mesh will separate your prawns from your fish. The mesh is also permeable enough for the fish waste to move through the layers of the mesh to meet the prawns so they can feed on the fish waste.
Stocking Density
The recommended stocking density for a single prawn should be about two square feet of tank space.
Tank Size
You should have at least 135 gallons or 500 liters of a tank for both fish and prawns. There should however be a barrier like the bird mesh we discussed earlier.
Temperature Requirements
Theideal temperature for prawns should fall between 57 degrees to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the standard temperature is around 78 degrees to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feeding
Prawns will feed on just about anything. You can however feed them with prawn pellets and planktons.
PH Range
Another requirement is pH range, therefore, you should ensure you monitor the pH with a quality pH matter. Prawns will do well with a recommended pH range between 7.8 to 8.5.
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Final Say On Raising Prawns In Aquaponics
We can see there are great benefits to raising prawns in your aquaponics. You can agree there’s nothing more amazing than having freshly harvested prawns together with fish from your aquaponics system. You get that fresh exclusive meaty taste compared to the regular frozen prawn sold in stores.
This is what you get raising both prawns and fish and if you plan to sell them it will also be a great investment. Prawns attain market size in about 4 to 6 months, so you can always have a steady sale once they are matured.
May 10, 2021
How To Grow Basil Hydroponically
Let’s explore how to grow the flavorful basil hydroponically. Growing various plants hydroponically is becoming an interest to many growers as it offers great benefits such as healthy plants, greater yields, dirt-free process, and many more.
Basil is one common herb you can grow hydroponically. It is one of people’s favorite and it’s pretty easy to grow. So, read on to discover how to grow basil hydroponically.
Varieties Of Basil Plant
Basil plant comes in different varieties and all varieties are suitable to grow hydroponically. These varieties differ in features such as flavor, resistance to disease, yield, and growth. Here are the various types of basil plants you can choose:
1. Cinnamon basil
2. Dark opal basil
3. Lemon basil
4. Holy basil
5. Sweet basil
6. Sweet Thai basil
7. Purple ruffles basil
8. Spicy bush basil
9. Lime basil
10. Christmas basil
Before choosing the variety to grow, the first thing you should do is to pin down the most appropriate basil plant preferable for your hydroponics. Also, make some inquiries about the productive cultivation necessities.
However, if we want us to recommend the type to go for, our favorite type is the bush and sweet basil variety. They are both great for growing in hydroponics.
Get To Know How To Grow Basil Hydroponically
The first step to commencing how to grow basil hydroponically is to decide how you wish to start. You can commence by seed germination, cloning basil plants, or simply obtaining plants from garden stores near you and transplanting them.
- Starting With Seed Germination: seed germination is pretty easy to commence basil plants. Just keep them at the appropriate temperature of about 75 degrees. You can make use of a rapid rooter plug for seed germination. You should start to notice germination around 3 to 10 days.
- Germination From Cuttings: cloning is another way of starting basil germination. Simply get the right plants with healthy growth and great traits.
- Buying And Transplanting Basil: you can as well buy basil plants from a garden store and transplant them into your hydroponics system.
Planting Basil Hydroponically
Most types of hydroponics systems will work with growing basil plants. However, there are a couple of hydroponics systems that will suit and work better compared to others.
Remember to give your basil plants space of at least 6 to 12 inches to encourage aeration and avoid the growth of fungal.
Also, trimming your basil plants whenever they are full is recommended. Aim to trim above the lateral buds to stimulate growth. Trimming will increase the yield of your basil plant as there will be more room to grow. Ensure you make use of sharp tools for trimming and avoid pinching.
You can make use of the trimmed portions for your tasty meal.
Basil Temperature Requirements
The required temperature for hydroponics basil is around 65 to 80 degrees. They also require mild humidity for optimal growth.
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Light Requirements
The hydroponic basil plant will thrive under moderate light. For optimal growth, supply your basil plants 13 to 16 hours to light daily.
PH Requirements
Basil plant requires a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5.
Nutrient Requirements
The nutrient requirements for your hydroponics basil are pretty simple as the aim is for just its vegetative stage. Thus, what you need is a vegetative nutrient solution.
You want to supply your basil plants with a nutrient scheme rich in nitrogen. Adding a bit of calcium and magnesium to your nutrient scheme is also fine.
Harvesting
The best part of planting is obviously the harvesting time. To harvest, you can harvest the entire basil plant or just take off some leaves.
To store your harvested basil plants, keep them in a vented bag of about 55 to 60 degrees. This way, you can have a stable shelf life with 10 to 12 days duration. It is not recommended to store basil plants in a cooler. A better place is to store them in a jar of water in a cool room.
FAQ’s
Is it hard to grow basil hydroponically?
Growing basil in a hydroponic system is easy. Basil is a very easy plant to grow. If you have the space and time, it is easy to grow from seed. The biggest problem you will have is finding the right type of nutrients and the right equipment to use.
There are many different types of hydroponic systems available on the market. All you have to do is look for a hydroponic system that has the features that you want. The type of nutrient solution you use is also important. Some nutrients are better than others. You can use a commercial nutrient solution or you can make your own. Making your own is easier than buying one. There are different types of nutrient solutions available on the market. The most popular one is the water-soluble solution. This solution is made from a powder that dissolves in water.
This method is used by farmers, food producers, and even by some home gardeners. It’s also the best way to grow herbs that have been bred to be hardy in areas where the soil is not suitable for traditional gardening. You can grow basil from seed, or buy transplants from your local garden center.
How do I grow basil hydroponically?
First, you will need a system to grow your plants. This could be as simple as a shallow plastic tray or it could be a more elaborate system using a reservoir. If you plan on growing large quantities of plants, you’ll want to buy a system that’s made for commercial use, since these systems have been engineered for high production.
You’ll need to do is measure the area where you’ll be growing your herbs. The next step is to decide if you want to grow them indoors or outdoors.
If you’re growing them indoors, you’ll want to figure out how much space you have available. You’ll need to purchase an inexpensive light fixture and set it up. You can purchase a small greenhouse that is made specifically for growing hydroponically, but it can cost as much as $
If you’re growing your herbs in an outdoor garden, you will need to determine what size garden you need. Most garden centers will have information on how much square footage you need to grow your herbs, and you can use this to figure out how big your garden should be. Once you know how much space you have available, you can begin planning your hydroponic system.
You can purchase a tray system or you can build your own. In either case, you’ll need to decide if you want to go with a shallow plastic tray or a reservoir. The most common type of system is the shallow tray system, which consists of a tray and a pump. The tray is filled with a solution and placed in the location where the plants will be growing.
The nutrients are added directly to the tray as needed. With a shallow tray system, you’ll need to refill the tray periodically so that you don’t run out of nutrients. Some growers recommend adding a small amount of fertilizer every day. Others use the same nutrient solution for a week or more, and then change it out every two weeks. You’ll also need to monitor the pH of the solution, since it should be between 3.5 and 4. If the pH becomes too low, your plants won’t be able to utilize the nutrients properly. You’ll need to add an acidifier to keep the pH balanced.
Once you’ve determined how you’ll grow your herbs, you’ll need to figure out what type of nutrients you want to use. You have several options, including organic fertilizers, compost, and manure. The most common nutrient solution is a 1:1 mixture of fish emulsion and water. You can add other ingredients, such as seaweed and kelp, to the solution to boost the nutritional value. The amount of fertilizer you add will depend on how much light the plants receive. Some growers recommend adding as little as one teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of solution. Other growers add as much as 2 teaspoons per gallon. If you’re growing your herbs in an outdoor garden, you may want to use compost instead of fish emulsion. Compost is made up of plant materials that have decomposed naturally, so it contains nutrients that your plants can use.
What are some other concerns?
If you live in a very humid area, you will need to make sure your nutrients don’t dry out. You’ll also want to provide a place for the excess water to drain off, so that the solution won’t get too saturated.
Conclusion On How To Grow Basil Hydroponically
Growing basil plants hydroponically is easy, fun, and you will enjoy great benefits. No matter the variety you choose, you can be sure of a successful and productive basil growth in your hydroponic system.
Follow the right steps and supply your basil plants with all the requirements we stated above and you can watch your plant grow bountifully.
We hope this article has enlightened you on how to successfully grow basil plants hydroponically. Happy growing folks!
May 9, 2021
How To Grow Watercress In Aquaponics
Watercress is one of the easiest and healthiest plants to grow in your aquaponics garden. So, if you’re wondering how to grow watercress in aquaponics, you’ve come to the right place.
Watercress is a water-loving plant and it is popular for its tasty flavor when added to meals. They are great for adding spice to your soup, fresh salad mix, as well as a sandwich.
This article attempts to give you the details on how to grow watercress for your aquaponics garden. So let’s begin.
Why Grow Watercress In Your Aquaponics Farm
Being a water-loving plant, you can agree it is one of the best leafy green plants to grow in your aquaponics garden. Watercress is a highly nutritious and fast-growing plant. For this reason, watercress is one of the most loving plants to grow especially among commercial hydroponic and aquaponics growers.
Also, growing watercress for your aquaponics garden will be an amazing way of introducing newbies to the world of aquaponics.
2 Ways To Grow Watercress In Aquaponics
You can grow watercress easily by planting from their seeds or you can simply grow them from cuttings.
1. Propagation From Seeds
Watercress propagation from seed should begin to show germination between a couple of days or two weeks.
Plant about 10 to 15 seeds in the net pots growing medium. The seeds will begin to sprout from 3 days and continue to grow for 4 to 5 weeks. Then ready for harvest.
2. Propagation From Cuttings
Watercress can be grown or cultivated from its aerial roots where the nodes of the matured plants are.
Cut the stem of the watercress and take away the lower parts of the leaves. Lay the cuttings on your aquaponics bed and watch them give rise to new roots in a couple of days.
You can also obtain bunches of watercress stem from grocery stores.
Guidelines On How To Grow Watercress In Aquaponics Successfully
Having decided the method of propagation (either seeds or cuttings), we can now look into the specifications and guidelines to follow. Below are the guidelines on how to successfully grow watercress in an aquaponics garden:
1. Fish Choice: first things first, choose the appropriate fish you wish. Tilapia, trout, and catfish are the best options if you want a smooth and easy aquaponics process. Also, you should accurately calculate the number and proportion of fish to the water tank. For example, the standard rule is one matured fish per 5 gallons of water.
2. Water Tank Setup: do the normal aquaponics tanks set up. Place your pump inside the water tank for aeration.
3. Grow Media: choose an appropriate growing medium for your plant. You can use grow media such as hydroton, rock wool, etc. Remember watercress plants are water-loving so ensure the growing medium used can absorb water.
4. Spacing: ensure you give your plants adequate spacing. This is so they don’t compete with nutrients from overcrowding. Space them around 9 to 12 inches apart.
5. Temperature: watercress will do well in a temperate environmental climate. Temperature range from 50 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit will be ideal.
6. Sunlight or Grow Light: watercress herbs thrive in full sun. However, if you’re growing them indoors, they will do well under high output grow lights.
7. pH Range: the appropriate pH range for the watercress plant is a slightly acidic and slightly alkaline environment. Therefore, the pH range will be between 6.0 to 7.5. Always test your solution so you can keep track of the nutrient levels.
8. Fish Feed: you can start with fish pellets as these pellets comprise the complete nutrient balance for your plants’ growth. They contain vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals.
9. Bacteria: another important thing is you should encourage bacteria. It is this bacteria that will convert the fish waste in ammonia into nitrates for plant use.
10. Add Watercress Plant: lastly, plant your watercress either by seed germination or by cuttings and watch them grow.
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FAQ’s
What can you grow watercress?
Watercress is a popular, easy to grow green vegetable. It has been cultivated for centuries and is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E and K. You can grow it in your garden or even in a pot on the patio. This perennial plant grows well in moist soil. It is very adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. Watercress grows best in water or soil with a high humidity content.
You can grow watercress in a pond, but it will have to be kept in a container if you don’t want it to escape the pond.
Why is watercress good for aquaponics?
Here are a few reasons why watercress is such a great plant for aquaponic systems: It’s easy to grow – Watercress can be grown in any garden or window box and can be planted directly into the aquarium.
Watercress also does well in containers, but the roots tend to spread out more than they do in the soil. It’s low maintenance – Watercress can be harvested regularly without much effort. If you don’t like the taste of the leaves, you can just harvest the roots. Watercress is a fast growing plant that can be harvested within 6-8 weeks. It’s drought tolerant – The roots are able to withstand dry conditions and will continue to grow even if there is not enough water available.
Watercress is very easy to grow – It doesn’t require much attention and it is quite forgiving when it comes to temperature fluctuations.
How long does watercress take to grow in aquaponic?
It takes approximately one month to grow in soil and two weeks in aquaponics.
Watercress has small, thin leaves that are rich in vitamins and minerals.Watercress is native to the Mediterranean region and grows best in fertile soil with good drainage. The plant can grow up to 4 feet tall.
What’s the main concern when growing watercress in aquaponic?
It’s possible to grow watercress in aquaponics but you have to be careful to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria and plants. If you don’t, the bacteria can cause the plants to die. The bacteria are what converts nitrate into nitrite which is what you need for the plant to be able to uptake the nitrates from the water. The plants also require nitrate so the bacteria are essential.
Final Note
Having said all these on how to grow watercress in aquaponics: you should know there are other little precautions to be taken for a smooth aquaponics watercress garden. Things like:
- Monitoring the activities of your fish daily.
- Observe their feeding pattern.
- Avoid overfeeding so you don’t clog your aquaponics system and create excess waste that your plant can absorb. Watercress does not do well in clogged or stagnant water. The water needs to be flowing, well circulated, and aerated always for optimal production.
With that said. We do hope you’ve learned some things on how to grow watercress for your aquaponics garden.
April 20, 2021
How To Trim Basil To Promote Growth
Who doesn’t love the basil plant especially for its amazing taste and pleasant aroma when it comes to cooking? Now, if you’re wondering how to trim basil to promote healthy growth, just follow our tips and your basil will enjoy optimal growth.
Basil plants are popularly grown for their flavored attribute. They add a blend of that sweet basil taste and aroma to your meal and they will offer great benefits to your health. Therefore, growing basil plant in your garden is pretty rewarding and trimming is one essential procedure for you to enjoy maximum yield.
Keep reading to learn more on how to trim basil to promote growth.
How to Trim Basil to Promote Growth
As we know, pruning basil plants promotes growth. All types of basil plants (be it lemon basil, Thai basil, Genovese basil, etc) benefits from efficient pruning. Trimming your basil plants is important even if you’re growing them in containers or garden beds.
Tips to Pruning Basil Plants
Trimming basil leaves is crucial for the health of your plant growth. Follow the tips below to learn how to trim basil plants to promote abundant growth.
1. Get a pair of scissors to trim your basil plant. We recommend you always use a blunt tool like scissors. Never use your hands to pinch them so you don’t tear the stem and risk harming your basil plant.
2. Aim to trim the main stem so it will result in the redistribution of growth hormone close to the plants and yield fuller or thicker basil.
3. Around the main stem, you should see some tiny leaves developing. When the main stem is trimmed, optimal growth is directed towards the tiny basil leaves developing. Ensure you don’t disturb those little buddies as you trim the basil around them.
4. After a couple of weeks, these tiny leaves will develop into a new branch. This will then allow you to trim the new branches again around or above the new set of basil leaves. Thus, new branches will develop giving you endless yield as you trim over and over.
5. Ensure you remain some set of large leaves towards the end of the basil plant as this is essential. This way, these plants will be in charge of converting sunlight into energy for continuous growth.
6. Trim from the top crown and move a little to the bottom. Depending on how many branches you have, trim the basil plants on each branch to achieve a fuller plant.
Read more about Growing Microgreens Hydroponically
When to Trim Basil Plants to Promote Growth
Basil plants are easy to grow in both growing beds and hydroponics gardens and they are fast growers. This is why trimming should be done as early as their seedling stage.
The appropriate period to trim your basil plant to promote growth is early in the season. Trim when your basil plant is about 6 to 8 inches and with about 6 to 8 leaves.
When necessary, you should always trim your basil plant every two to three weeks all through the season to promote growth.
Check out When to Harvest Broccoli
Advantages of Trimming Basil Plants
The various benefits your basil plant stand to gain from trimming are as follows:
- When you trim your basil plants frequently, you enjoy optimal growth of amazing vegetation all through the season.
- Trimming your basil plants allows the growth hormone of the pruned main stem to be redistributed all over the plants around the trimmed basil.
- Your basil plant will always produce vegetation when trimmed rather than producing flowers.
- You can even go ahead and make use of the pruned main stem for your cooking. So, you see, there isn’t much waste from pruning basil!
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Tips for Buying Basil Plants
When you want to purchase basil plants, we recommend you preferably go for the trimmed ones. You should preferably opt for the short and bushy basil plant.
FAQ’s
Does pruning basil help it grow?
If you’re growing your own basil, then you’ve probably already heard about how beneficial pruning can be to the plants. But did you know that you could also help basil grow better by pruning it? If you’ve got some basil plants in pots on your patio or in your garden, then you can keep them healthy and attractive with a few pruning techniques.
You might be thinking that you don’t have to prune basil at all, but that’s not true. When you prune your basil, you’ll help it grow stronger and healthier.
Here are just a few of the benefits of pruning basil:
1. It Grows Better
By removing dead or damaged parts of the plant, you can encourage new growth.
2. It Keeps the Plant Strong and Healthy
When you prune your basil, you can help prevent pest problems.
3. It Lengthens the Growing Season
If you want to enjoy fresh basil all summer long, you should prune your plants once a week.
4. It Makes Your Leaves Perfectly Curled T
he perfect way to present your leaves is when you prune them. If you leave too much leaf, it will look messy.
5. It Allows for More Flowers to Grow
When you prune your plants, you’ll make room for more flowers.
Does trimming help basil grow flowers?
Yes, if you cut back the stems of your basil plants in the late winter or early spring, they will have more energy to produce leaves and flowers. You should wait until after the last frost date for your area. If you do not want to wait that long, you can prune in the summer, but you must wait until all of the leaves on the plant are brown.
You can prune basil to make it grow better, but you don’t have to.
It is best to let your basil grow as big as possible. The more you use, the more it will produce. However, if you want to make it grow larger, you can prune the main stem of your basil back in early summer. This will help the plant grow more bushy and produce more leaves.
How do you trim basil to make it bushy?
Cut off the bottom leaves The bottom leaves on your basil plants are called “crowns.” They can grow up to 4-6 inches in length, but they don’t get as big or bushy as the leaves that grow at the top of the plant.
You can use the knife, scissors or a pair of clippers to cut the stems. A pair of clippers is probably the easiest and most effective. The clippers have an adjustable blade that can be used for different thicknesses of stems.
You can cut back the top as well. The reason for this is that if the plant gets too large, the top can’t support itself anymore and it will fall over. If you cut the top back to where it can support itself, it will stay upright.
Pruning Basil
By the end of the season, you should have that wide, full, and tall basil plants with many branches. Therefore, trimming your basil plants offers you an endless harvest.
The goal of trimming the basil plant is to prevent it from entering the flowering phase. Therefore, it will always continue to produce some good leaves which is what we want.
Although most growers would like to have basil leaves forever: it may come to a point where we might not be able to control such forever. They might later start to grow flowers thereby, halting or reducing vegetative production. But such comes at a much later period and we would have already enjoyed plenty of basil leaves for a long time.
March 6, 2021
Hydroponic Cucumber Nutrient Formula – Your Complete Guide
Let’s talk about the hydroponic cucumber nutrient formula. One common vine crop that is popular among farmers and gardeners is the cucumber plant. It is loved for the juicy and delicious fruits that it produces.
Hydroponic cucumbers can be grown successfully in a greenhouse setting. They are pretty easy to cultivate and they will yield fast and great results. Getting the hydroponic nutrient formula right for hydroponic cucumbers is crucial as this will provide sufficient nutrients for the plants to support all stages of their growth cycle.
Read on to learn about how to start cucumber hydroponics and the hydroponic cucumber nutrient formula requirements.
Select The Variety Of Your Choice
There are over 100 varieties of cucumbers to choose from. Some of these varieties can be easily found in supermarkets, while others are more uncommon and can only be found in specialty shops. These cucumbers can be used in various ways in the kitchen, such as pickling, slicing for salads, sandwiches, or just snacking.
Eight of the most common cucumbers are;
- English cucumbers
- Persian cucumbers
- White cucumbers
- Garden cucumbers
- Kirby cucumbers
- Lemon cucumbers
- Armenian cucumbers
- Gherkins
Some varieties are better suited for certain functions, so we that recommend you select the variety based on your preference or purpose. Choose if you want to cultivate cucumber for pickling or slicing. You should also select the variety based on your hydroponic setup. There are also resistant cucumber varieties which are an excellent choice. Note that these varieties can come in various shapes, sizes, and maturation lengths of time.
Other characteristics differentiate them. These may be useful to know if you plan to grow them:
- Burpless: this type of cucumber variety tastes more delicious. It is also thin-skinned.
- Spineless: this type does not have a spine or any prickly stubs. It also has smooth skin.
- Bitter-free: most cucumbers are known to taste bitter when ignored and left for a long time on the vine. However, this type of cucumber variety is made to be bitter-free.
- Gynoecious Cucumber: this type gives rise to female flowers. Some gynoecious cucumber varieties do not require pollination, while some do. Both however produce large numbers of flowers and will produce a lot of cucumber fruit over a relatively short period.
Hydroponic Cucumber Nutrient Formula
A balanced hydroponic cucumber nutrient formula has the right formula to support the growth of the plants at whatever stage it is at. To make a nutrient solution for cucumbers in a hydroponic medium, this is how you should do it;
Materials Needed
Plastic container, expanded clay, net pots, and hydroponic cucumber nutrient formula.
Starting Hydroponic Cucumber Seedlings
Started hydroponic cucumber in 3 ways, and they are:
1. Seed Germination: start with cucumber seed germination. The seeds will germinate quickly and you start to notice seedlings within 3 to 10 days.
2. Soil Transplant: you can as well transplant cucumber plants from soil to a hydroponics medium. You can purchase some cucumber plants from a garden store near you and transplant them into your hydroponics.
3. Cloning: start hydroponic cucumber with cloning as this is another great method. You can be assured of getting results of the same features or traits from the plants you used for cloning.
Type Of Hydroponic System To Choose
You need to decide which type of hydroponic will suit your cucumber. Variety is also important when choosing the type of hydroponic for your cucumber plant.
Indoor hydroponics will require space. But if you don’t have much space you can go for the bushy cucumber variety. You can go for the deepwater culture or ebb and flow system for indoor hydroponics.
We would however recommend you grow cucumber outdoors in the warmer months. This way, they can have adequate space and there will be space to produce more yield. You can make use of vertical hydroponics by training them to grow vertically. You can also opt for the drip, Dutch bucket, and bug ebb and flow systems. Use a trellis for support when your cucumber plants start to grow big.
Hydroponic Cucumber Nutrient Formula Requirements
Hydroponic cucumber nutrients have a specific formula. This is especially meant for their vegetative development. You can easily purchase these nutrient solutions online as they are readily available.
There are some nutrient solutions readily available to usher your cucumber plant into its flowering stage. Other nutrient solutions are also available to gear your cucumber plant throughout its flowering stage. Note for the flowering stage, you are required to change your nutrient scheme to lesser nitrogen. Also, add more potassium and phosphorous.
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The one type of general nutrient scheme may be simple to use. But know that they may not provide your cucumber plants with the required nutrients tailored for the specific growth phase. Along with the right nutrient formula for your hydroponic cucumbers, other crucial environmental conditions should be maintained at an optimal range for efficient growth and production. These are;
- pH – water pH for hydroponic cucumbers is key to efficient growth. The ideal pH range that the system should be kept at is between 5.5 – 6.0
- Temperature – cucumber plants will thrive well in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will encourage and boost the growth of your cucumber plant.
So, your cucumber should be ready after 5 to 6 weeks after seed sowing.
Common Hydroponic Cucumber Problems
While growing cucumbers in hydroponics systems can be quite a breeze compared to growing them in the soil, it is however not without its share of troubles. But because these problems can be quite common and predictable, you can prepare yourself to fight them in case they do occur. Here are the 4 most common problems associated with growing cucumbers in hydroponics.
1. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a white fungus that can grow on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the cucumber. This fungus thrives in areas that have a warm climate and provide high humidity. Environments like greenhouses are breeding grounds for powdery mildew, so if your hydroponics system is in a greenhouse your cucumbers are at high risk of getting infected. The risk will be higher in the summer and spring months.
Powdery mildew will not directly kill your cucumbers but it will steal some of the nutrients and water that the cucumber was supposed to use for growth and productivity. This will result in your cucumber plants growing slowly, becoming weak, or not even producing fruit.
The best way to treat powdery mildew is with the use of an organic fungicide that has sulfur as the main active ingredient.
Homemade remedies are another option to try. Mixtures that include potassium carbonate, soap, milk, and water work well. You could also add Neem oil to these mixtures for additional fungus-killing power.
2. Gummy Stem Blight
Gummy stem blight is another fungus that infects the stem and leaves of the cucumber plant and causes wet black lesions on the leaves and causes the stems to split and ooze a reddish brown sticky substance. If it is left untreated, the blight can travel up to the fruit and cause it to develop into black rot, resulting in the loss of a potentially good crop.
Commercial fungicides with great strength are used to treat gummy stem bight. They are applied during the prime gummy stem blight season, or when the leaves of the cucumber plant are starting to reach their full size.
3. Two Spotted Spider Mites
Two-spotted spider mites thrive in hot and dry environments. They can negatively affect the growth and productivity of cucumbers by interfering with photosynthesis.
The spider mites paper has tiny spots on the bottom of the leaves that cause them to swell, turn yellow, develop signs of necrosis, and reduced the growth of plant leaves.
If your cucumber plant is affected by these mites, the outer skin of the fruit will become rough and have a texture like that of sandpaper.
The spread of two-spotted spider mites is best controlled as soon as possible because they have very fast growth and multiplication rates, especially if the conditions are optimal for their breeding and growth.
Apply miticides or scrub the cucumber plant leaves with insecticide soap to get rid of them. You could also introduce predatory mite species that will kill the spider mites but not harm the cucumber plants.
4. Broad Mites
Broad mites feed and lay their eggs on the bottom of cucumber leaves. When infected, the shoots of the plant become distorted, the leaves begin to curl downward, and the fruits crack.
Broad mites thrive and reproduce in hot, humid conditions. They can however still reproduce and spread in cooler conditions, although at a slower rate. These mites can also spread via plant-to-plant contact, tools, and the gardener’s hands if they have come into contact with infected plants.
The application of miticides may help to a certain extent, but broad mites are resistant to most of these chemicals. The best way to deal with them is to remove all the infected plants in the garden. Also, make sure that you always clean and sanitize all the tools that you use in the garden after each use so that the spider mites do not spread.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Cucumbers Hydroponically?
After germination, cucumber plants grow very fast if the right environmental conditions are provided for them. It takes between four and six weeks from when the seed is sown to when the first cucumber is ready to pick. Cucumbers will continue to produce for three to four months after they start. To always have a cucumber crop, you can practice sequential planting
Can You Grow Cucumbers In Hydroponics?
Cucumbers are one of the most commonly grown plants in hydroponics due to the ease with which they can be grown. They can be grown as a hobby and they are also grown in hydroponics commercially.
They are best grown in greenhouses where conditions can be manipulated to suit the growth stage of the plant. Cucumbers grow best in warm temperatures of between 75 and 85 degrees F, and high light. Cooler temperatures and low light can limit the growth of cucumbers in hydroponics.
Final Note -Hydroponic Cucumber Nutrient Formula
With that said, we hope you’ve learned some things about growing cucumber hydroponically. Ensure you follow all our tips on hydroponic cucumber nutrient formula to get the best and most productive cucumber crop. Happy growing!
FAQ’s
What nutrients do hydroponic cucumbers need?
The term hydroponic cucumber refers to the fact that you do not have to provide any soil or manure for the plants to grow in. Instead, you supply the plant with a nutrient solution that they will absorb through their roots. Hydroponic cucumbers are grown in small plastic trays that are placed on top of a water source.
This is done because the water is recirculated, which prevents the growth of algae and other bacteria that could grow in soil-based cucumbers. The nutrient solution provides all the minerals and nutrients that the cucumber needs to grow. The nutrients that are used in hydroponic cucumber growing are called macro and micro nutrients. Macro nutrients are nutrients that are needed by the plant to grow. They include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, manganese and iron. These nutrients are not as available in the soil as they are in the water. Micro nutrients are nutrients that are needed by the plant to grow but are not part of the macro nutrients. They include chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.
What is the best nutrient solution for hydroponics?
There are many nutrient solutions available to growers for hydroponics. However, most of these are not as efficient as they should be. There are many factors to consider when choosing a hydroponic nutrient solution, such as: Sugar content – The sugar content of the nutrient solution is very important, especially for those with high-intensity light. If the sugar content is too high, it can have an effect on photosynthesis and transpiration rates in plants. It can also have a negative effect on plant growth and development. Too low of a sugar content can result in low photosynthetic rates, plant stress, and even death. The best solution would have about 5-10% sugar. Mg/L – Magnesium is necessary for healthy cell division and chlorophyll production in plants. It is also beneficial for root hair growth. It is also essential to reduce the amount of calcium in the soil. Ca/L – Calcium is an essential mineral that is needed by plants for optimal health. Ca is the main component of cell walls, which helps with the strength and integrity of the plant. Calcium also helps promote strong cell walls, which will help the plant grow faster and thicker. K/L – Potassium is a vital element for plant growth and development. It is required for the formation of carbohydrates and proteins, as well as maintaining the cellular membrane. K is also essential to prevent plants from becoming salt-sensitive. Sulfate/L – Sulfate is an important nutrient for plants that is necessary for healthy cell division, chlorophyll production, and root hair growth. It is also essential for healthy plant growth and development. A good sulfate/L ratio is around The pH level of the nutrient solution is extremely important. A proper pH level is required for plants to properly absorb nutrients. Osmolarity – Osmolarity is a measure of the amount of dissolved solids in a solution. This number is used as a measure of the osmotic pressure of the solution. Osmolarity can be measured with an osmometer. It is important to keep the osmolarity of the nutrient solution at around 300-400 mOsm. This will help prevent the accumulation of excess salts and minerals in the soil or nutrient solution, which can be detrimental to plant growth. Dissolved Oxygen – Dissolved oxygen is one of the most important elements to consider when creating a nutrient solution for hydroponics. Too much oxygen can cause plant stress, and too little oxygen can cause plant death. A good dissolved oxygen level is around 7-10 mg/L.
January 25, 2021
How To Make Mushroom Compost
One prolific ingredient to add to your soil to boost garden growth is mushroom composts. We will be enlightening you on how to make mushroom compost so you can grow your plants the best way.
Applying compost to your garden soil enhances soil texture, drainage, and supplies adequate nutrients to your soil. As mulch covering, compost will regulate weed as well as retain soil water keeping the soil moist during dry conditions.
A combination of mushroom compost is an awesome soil builder that can help your plant flourish. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to make mushroom compost on your own? Of course! It is even easier to make if you grow mushrooms in your garden. The procedure is pretty easy and we will teach you how.
Mushroom Compost
Mushroom composts are made from the soil which was used to grow mushrooms. After you much have harvested your mushrooms, you can now proceed to make some mushroom composts for your garden soil. It is an organic fertilizer that will be released gradually into the soil of your garden.
Mushroom composts comprise mixed peat, straw, gypsum, and other poultry manure. These are most of the common elements used; however, it may contain other elements.
Steps on How to Make Mushroom Compost
Mushroom composts are easy to make. Just follow these steps on how to make mushroom compost and have yourself some mushroom composts for your garden.
Compost Ingredients Used
The ingredients used for making mushroom composts include:
- Wheat straw.
- Gypsum.
- Water.
- Poultry manure (chicken, cow, or horse manure).
- Mushroom garden soil.
Procedure
Step 1
The first thing you need to do is to sprinkle the wheat straw with some water. Make sure the wheat straw should not be too wet or too dry. Then mix the straw with poultry manure, gypsum, soil, and mushroom bacteria.
Step 2
Allow the mushroom compost mixture to sit for a period of weeks so it can heat up. This can take up to two months. During this period, some chemical reactions will take place. Naturally occurring fungi and bacteria will visit the scene and react with the poultry manure and straw. They will eventually break down all the ingredients.
Step 3
As composting continues for some weeks, you must monitor the compost pile frequently. This is because the temperature of the mixture continues to raise therefore, always water and mix frequently. The temperature can rise above 80 degrees Celsius which is too hot. Ensure the temperature remains at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Step 4
While composting continues, pasteurization also takes place to sterilize and eliminates any harmful bacteria, pathogen, pests, and weeds. When pasteurization is completed, the compost will have to cool down before applying it to your garden soil.
You now have a clean pile of abundant brown chocolate compost. You can now apply the readymade mushroom compost. Ensure you mix mushroom compost well into your garden soil when applying to give you an awesome result.
The video below describes mushroom compost is commercially produced.
Benefits of Using Mushroom Compost to Your Garden Soil
Let’s take a look at a couple of benefits of using mushroom composts on your garden soil:
- Mushroom composts are a very affordable fertilizer you can invest in or make.
- You can add mushroom compost gardening soil to your fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. It will enrich your crops to flourish well.
- If you need a soil additive to improve the water retention in your soil, you can make use of mushroom compost. Mushroom composts will absorb enough water and retain it in your soil to be made available when needed. As such, your soil never dries out.
- Applying mushroom compost will provide your plant with some great natural ingredients.
- Used as garden mulch coverings.
- It can also be used as soil amendments for your lawns.
- Mushroom compost comprises of nitrogen needed for plants and foliage growth.
- Mushroom compost will supply the right amount of nutrients without being nutrient-dense.
FAQ’s
Is mushroom compost any good?
Mushroom compost is a blend of nitrogen and carbon rich materials that are added to the soil to encourage fungal growth. This is done in order to create more food for soil microorganisms and plants, which will help increase plant growth and health. Mushroom compost can be purchased at most garden centres and nurseries, however, it is more cost effective to make your own.
How do you make mushroom compost?
Mushroom compost is different to other composts. It contains plenty of carbon (in the form of decaying plant material), which is why it’s good for growing mushrooms. However, it also contains small amounts of nitrogen, which is needed for the mushrooms to grow.
The best way to make compost is to mix it in a bucket. You don’t want to do this in a plastic bucket, as the plastic may leach into the compost. Instead, use a metal or wooden bucket that you can wash out and reuse. Start by mixing one part of dry compost with three parts of water. When you’re making mushroom compost, add one part of wood chips or sawdust to two parts of the dry compost. Mix everything together with a spade or fork. The wood chips or sawdust will help to give your compost structure, so you don’t want to add too much. Too much structure will prevent the compost from drying out. After adding the wood chips or sawdust, stir it all together with your hands. When mixing, keep the material moving, so that the compost is mixed evenly. The more you mix, the better your compost will be. Make sure you mix in as much air as possible. How should I store it? Ideally, you should store your compost in a shed or other dry location, where it will stay dry and warm. A shed will also help to keep the compost safe from mice and rats. It should also be kept well ventilated.
How do you apply it as fertilizer?
If you plan to use it as a fertilizer for your soil, then you should not add any wood chips. A: Mushroom compost will contain some nutrients (especially nitrogen) and a lot of organic material. It may also contain some weed seeds, so you’ll want to remove them before adding the compost to the soil. Wood chips are not an effective source of nitrogen, and they can harbor weed seeds. Instead of adding wood chips, you might consider adding a nitrogen-rich manure (such as rabbit, chicken, horse, or fish manure). You’ll also want to add a small amount of sand to improve drainage. The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device.
How should I store it?
Ideally, you should store your compost in a shed or other dry location, where it will stay dry and warm. A shed will also help to keep the compost safe from mice and rats. It should also be kept well ventilated.
More Information
Even though you can apply mushroom composts any period of the year, the most appropriate period to do so is during spring or fall.
Also, note that mushroom composts cannot be used as soil replacement. Therefore, it can’t be used on its own for planting.
For its water holding capacity, only apply the right amount of compost manure to your soil. This way, the water holding capacity does not water-log your soil. Soil waterlogging can cause root rotting and fungal infection.
November 24, 2020
Hydroponic Strawberries
Growing plants that produce fruits may not be quite easy with hydroponics, especially for beginners. This is so because of the required intensive work inputs and necessary maintenance. However, that is not the case when it comes to growing strawberries with hydroponic.
Strawberries cultivated in hydroponics do well and can yield abundant fruits all through the year. It is one of the easiest fruits one can grow with hydroponics. Let’s dive in and discuss some facts about growing strawberries with hydroponic.
Hydroponic Strawberries
Strawberry is a healthy food people love and the demand for it keeps increasing day by day. This is why farmers are designing various ways to meet market demands.
A hydroponic farming system is one method you can use to cultivate strawberries fast and easy. For this reason, farmers prefer to cultivate their strawberry plants using hydroponics from runners.
Growing Strawberries with Hydroponic
One popular fruit to grow is the strawberries. Growing strawberries from their seeds with soil can take 2 to 3 years to mature. But when it comes to growing strawberries in hydroponics, it is fast and easy.
The hydroponic system makes use of water solutions in which nutrients have been dissolved to grow plants. The method is fast, healthy, and will result in an abundant production of fruits.
Getting Started: Growing Strawberries with Hydroponic
Of course, the very first thing you need to do is to purchase a hydroponic system. You can either make use of a vertical hydroponic system or a hydroponic kit. However, a vertical hydroponic system will give you more space for growing and maximum yield.
Procedures
Next thing is to choose if you want to grow your strawberry from a seed or a young strawberry plant.
The best way is to use a young strawberry plant and plant them in the net holes of your hydroponics system. You will need to rinse off the soil from the young strawberry plants and insert them into the net holes of the hydroponic system. Fill them with nutrient-rich water for hydroponics afterward.
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Light Requirements
Next, you want to feed your strawberry with some proper light and adequate temperature. It is essential you provide adequate light to your strawberry plants so they can flourish and grow well. The temperature strawberry plants like is around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed your strawberry plant with 8 to 10 hours of light daily. If you decide to grow your plants in a greenhouse, then your strawberry plants can obtain their light naturally. However, if they will be grown indoors, grow light will be needed to feed your strawberry plant with the needed light.
Quality of Water
Another important thing is water quality. Since the main ingredient providing nutrients is in the water, ensure you make use of a water filter instead of tap water. This way, you reduce the risk of introducing impurities to your plant water.
pH Range
The pH levels of your nutrient-filled water should range between 5.8 to 6.2. Use a pH meter to know the status of your pH level.
Growing Medium
Now to the medium used. Although there are various mediums available to be used, we suggest you use a simple, affordable, and available medium like coco coir. Coco coir is inactive and won’t interfere with the pH or nutrient level of your strawberry plant.
Pollination Requirements
When it comes to pollination, it is a key concern and must be planned. Strawberry plants possess both male and female flowers. Pollination is different in the outdoor and indoor hydroponic systems of strawberries. Outdoor hydroponic strawberry pollination is done by wind and bees. On the other hand, indoor pollination is done artificially by using a fan or gently brushing your hands along the flowers of the strawberry plants.
Benefits of Growing Strawberries with Hydroponics
There are lots of benefits of growing strawberries with hydroponics. Here are a couple of these benefits:
- The Soil-based Disease Reduced: since there is no soil used, there is no room for soil-based pests, microorganisms, or pathogens to thrive.
- Reduction in Use of pesticides: the need for pesticides and insecticides spraying on your strawberries fruits are reduced. This way, you enjoy fresh and healthy fruit production.
- Fast Growth and Plenty Yield: using a hydroponic system for strawberries gives a quick yield and abundant production all year round.
FAQ’s
Do strawberries do well in hydroponics?
Yes, strawberries do well in hydroponics. The trick is to choose the right nutrients for your system. They have shallow roots and are very sensitive to nutrient deficiencies. When I grew them in a hydroponic system, I had to fertilize the plants every two weeks.
For example, you need a good source of phosphorus for healthy roots. You also need calcium and potassium, which are more available in nutrient solutions than in soil. Also, you want a good source of nitrogen. Strawberries have shallow roots that grow into the medium in which they’re planted. If you put them in a hydroponic system, you need to provide some type of medium in which to grow the roots. For example, you could use sand, perlite, or peat moss.
When can you give strawberries their nutrients in a hydroponic system?
With a hydroponic system, you can provide all the nutrients that your plants need right from the start. For strawberries, you want a medium that will hold moisture and nutrients without getting soggy. Strawberries are shallow rooted, and they like a loose medium.
This means that you can just sprinkle the medium over the strawberries. You don’t have to worry about keeping it evenly moist. If you’re using sand or perlite, you can make the medium by mixing the sand or perlite with enough water to get it to the consistency you want.
How do you make sure they get enough nitrogen?
There are three ways you can get nitrogen into the plant:
1. Use a foliar spray,
2. Feed your plants with a liquid fertilizer, or
3. Grow the plant on a medium that contains nitrogen.
A foliar spray is simply water with a small amount of fertilizer mixed in. The fertilizer will be absorbed by the leaves and then carried to the roots. Liquid fertilizers are similar to foliar sprays in that they provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They also usually contain a little bit of iron and calcium as well.
What are the most important nutrients?
First, let’s talk about why you might want to grow strawberries in a hydroponic system. You need a good source of phosphorus for healthy roots.
With a hydroponic system, you can get phosphorus right into the plant from the start. Second, you want a good source of potassium. Potassium is used to build strong cell walls in plants. If you don’t provide a good source of potassium, the plant will have weak cell walls. You can get potassium from the soil, but it’s not always available. You also need nitrogen. Nitrogen helps the plant make amino acids. These amino acids are needed to build proteins, which help the plant grow.
Final Say
Strawberry fruit is one of people’s favorite and it might not be so easy to cultivate. It can take a lot of time to produce results from seed. But with a hydroponic strawberry system, it has becomes so simple for farmers to cultivate and meet people’s demands.
November 23, 2020
How To Sprout Potatoes Before Planting Them
Do you know how to sprout potatoes so you can harvest them a little earlier than the expected growth time?
Potatoes do not have seeds, so they grow in a different process than other vegetables. Potatoes grow from the products that you set aside as seeds. These seeds must have ‘eyes’ where the new sprout will form. These eyes sprout and form new tubers that grow into potatoes.
A potato’s eyes form and sprout under the right conditions. Let’s look at the right conditions needed for chitting potatoes.
What Do Potatoes Need To Sprout?
1. Organic Potato Seeds. It’s best to use organically grown potatoes as seed. Chemically grown potatoes have a sprout retardant that slows down sprouting or completely stops them.
2. Darkness and Light. Let’s understand this point here. Potatoes like to sprout in darkness. But you need to expose them to light when they begin sprouting. They are like other seedlings; they will need light to grow. You can keep your potato seeds near a bright window or a fluorescent light to sprout them.
3. Moisture and Warmth. To speed up the sprouting process, keep your potato seeds in an area with good warmth and moisture. Do not put them in standing water as they will rot. You can layer them in damp leaves indoors to create the right environment. When the sprouts are about 1 cm long, they are an ideal length for planting.
How To Sprout Potatoes The Right Way
Start sprouting your potatoes three to four weeks before planting them.
- Get your Seeds Ready – Buy your seeds from a reputable potato seed seller or get your own from a previous harvest. Your potato seeds must be organic. Never use potatoes that are treated as they may not sprout.
- Place your Potato Seeds where you want them to Sprout – Some people use an open egg carton to sprout their seeds. Put them in a dark place where there are enough warmth and moisture. Once they start sprouting, get a fluorescent light, or keep them near a window. Ensure you keep the potatoes stable so that the fragile sprouts do not get broken. In about 1 week, you will notice that the potatoes are sprouting. After 3 to 4 weeks the potatoes are ready for planting.
- Plant the Sprouted Potatoes in the Garden – the same way you would plant un-sprouted potatoes. Be sure to plant the potatoes with the sprouts facing up handling them with care not to break the shoots.
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Read about How to grow Alfalfa Sprouts
A Bonus Tip For Sprouting Potatoes
Did you know you can increase the size of your potatoes? Yes, it is possible to do so! Rub off some of the shoots from the tuber before planting to remain with 1 or 2 healthy sprouts. If you leave all the shoots intact, you end up encouraging too much competition on the plant, and the produce will be small potatoes.
FAQs
Do potatoes need to sprout before planting?
Potatoes need to be sprouted before planting. They will grow well, but they won’t be as big. Sprouting them increases the number of eyes on each potato, which means more potatoes per plant. It also increases the number of roots, which means that you’ll harvest more potatoes from the same space.
You can plant potatoes at any time of year, provided that they are healthy and not rotting.
What should I use to sprout them?
You can grow sprouts in a wide variety of ways. You can use a jar, tray, or any other container. You can also use a hydroponic method, where you use a solution of water and nutrients to feed the sprouts. However, the more water and air you give the sprouts, the faster they will grow and the longer they can remain in the jar.
Potato sprouts can be planted in small pots, in a tray, or in a shallow box. They need plenty of light, so they can be grown outside under a tent or greenhouse, or in a sunny window.
Is it easy to sprout potatoes?
Potato sprouts are a nutritious and easy-to-grow way to get a good dose of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and B vitamins in your diet. The easiest way to grow them is by sprouting. To do so, you simply place the potatoes into a jar with some water, close it up, and let the sprouts grow. They will take about a week to sprout, but it’s best to start them as soon as you can.
Can I plant potatoes with long sprouts?
I would say that is not a good idea. You can do it, but it’s not advisable. The reason is that the sprouts are part of the tuber and will grow until they reach the potato.
How do you speed up a sprouting potato?
My answer has always been: Don’t. You can speed up the growth of a sprouted potato by exposing it to sunlight, but you’ll get no more than a few days more of growth than you would without sun.
Do potatoes sprout in the dark?
It is indeed true, they will sprout in dark.
You can place them under fluorescent lights or lamps with a blue spectrum. Potatoes are a member of the Nightshade Family, along with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and tobacco.
Best Way To Sprout Potatoes- Conclusion

Now that you have learned how to sprout potatoes, go ahead and grow your own. You will enjoy a good potato harvest a little earlier. You will love the taste of your early harvest with their skins on and deliciously waxy texture!
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October 27, 2020
The Step By Step Process Of Growing Broccoli From Seed
Growing broccoli from seed is quite challenging for beginners but it’s not impossible for those who wish to learn how to do it.
Broccoli is a sun-loving crop that is best grown in the fall or spring. This beautiful good looking green belongs to the cabbage family. It is a close relative of cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy.
It is a cool weather plant that can yield one or two main harvests in a season. If properly cultivated, it can also yield mini-harvests per growing season. Once you harvest the main head, it will often keep producing smaller side shoots that you can enjoy for a long.
Brocolli is worth growing for its nutritional benefits. It is rich in vitamin A, potassium, iron, folic acid, and fiber.
Growing Broccoli From Seed Tips
Brocolli thrives in temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mature plants can thrive in cold temperatures of up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
This plant is also known to be temperamental! If you plant it too early, it produces small heads called buttons. If you plant it too late, the heads do not form at all, and plants flower and go to seed.
The best time to plant early in the spring season so that it will be ready for harvest when the hot weather arrives. You can also time the late spring season that will see plants mature in cool autumn weather.
Types of Broccoli Seeds To Grow
There are several types of broccoli seed varieties that you can grow. Some have larger heads while others have small. There are varieties that mature fast while others take longer. Some varieties even have purple heads.
Here are a few favorable types that you can work with:
- DIi Cicco – Classic Heirloom
- Summer purple – Larger heads
- Early heading – Early to mature
- Long harvest – Blend of early and late
- Santee F1 Purple – small but abundant
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Step by Step Process Of Growing Broccoli From Seed
Requirements
- Your choice of broccoli seeds
- Water
- Pre-moistened soil or peat pellets
- Heat mat
How To Plan Broccoli Seeds
Step 1: Fill the seed trays with high-quality seed starting soil. Or use pre-moistened peat pellets if that’s what you prefer.
Step 2: Plant one seed per hole by making a shallow hole in the ready soil. Drop the seed into the shallow hole or place it on top and gently press it into the soil.
Step 3: Cover the seeds with soil and gently press down to ensure it comes into contact with the seeds. Since broccoli seeds are so small, they should be planted about 1/8” to ¼” deep.
Step 4: Water the planted seeds. It is best to water the trays from the bottom up so that the soil remains undisturbed. Simply pour water into the tray and allow the soil to soak it up from the bottom.
Step 5: Keep watering when necessary to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out as the seeds germinate.

FAQs
What are the steps to planting broccoli?
There are three main steps in growing broccoli. First, the plants are sown indoors in a seed-starting medium. Second, the seedlings are transplanted into soilless potting mix. Third, they are then transplanted to larger pots, and finally, to the field.
Seeds of broccoli are sown in a seed-starting medium. It’s important to choose a seed starting medium that has a high nitrogen content and is free of any additives that may harm the seedlings. The seeds should be kept moist at all times and not allowed to dry out. When the seedlings are planted, they should be placed about 2 inches deep and about 2 inches apart in the potting mix. You can water your seedlings by placing them in a plastic bag, or by using an automatic watering system.
How deep should they be planted?
Try this Poke a hole in the soil about 12 inches deep and 3 inches wide. Fill the hole with seeds (they should be planted 4 inches apart). Cover them with dirt and water them well.
How can I lantanas brocolli?
A small, sunny pot (I like a 10 litre pot) A potting mix or compost The seed of your choice. I have used purple sprouting broccoli and mini sprouts (which are the same thing as broccoli mini sprouts).
You can use any other type of broccoli seed. A fine mesh sieve An old plastic drinking bottle with a hole in the bottom If you don’t have any of these items, you can buy them at your local nursery or garden centre.
Step 1: Preparing Your Seed Pot Before starting to grow broccoli from seed, you need to prepare your seed pot. The first thing that you need to do is to soak your seeds for two hours. This is important as it removes the protective coating on the seed. You can use a glass jar or bowl with some warm water to soak your seeds. If you are using a plastic container, make sure that you don’t leave your seeds in there for too long as they may dry out.
Step 2: Sowing Your Seeds The next step is to sow your seed into your seed pot.
To do this, sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface of your pot and then gently pat down the top of the seeds to ensure that all the seeds are evenly distributed in the pot. This can take between three to five days depending on the temperature and the amount of light that you are giving them.
Step 3: Germinating Your Seeds Now that your seeds have germinated, it is time to transplant them into the soil. First, carefully remove all of the seedlings from your seed pot. You can use a pair of scissors or a small knife. Then, place the seedlings into individual pots or trays filled with a mixture of soil and sand. Make sure that the soil has a good amount of compost in it as this will help to support the young plants. Don’t add any fertiliser at this stage as it could harm the roots. When you have transplanted your seedlings, water them well. Do this every day until you see that they have started to grow their first true leaves.
Conclusion
Even though it sounds easy to grow broccoli, it does require some knowledge to get the best out of your seeds. You may not get it first but rest assured the second, third, and fourth times will not be a fail!
October 3, 2020
How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts?
Alfalfa sprouts are usually seen on sandwiches, aisles, and in many salads. Most of us love sprouts too because they add flavor to dishes and come with nutritional benefits. I know you love them also.
I have been moving away from commercial foods recently and trying to grow organic foods that I can harvest fresh off my garden. So while I was eating an alfalfa sandwich the other day, I asked myself if I could grow the sprouts myself. This prompted me to research how to grow alfalfa sprouts and compiled this piece.
Here is How You Can Grow Alfalfa Sprouts at Home
Alfalfa sprouts sprout within one week, and you can easily grow them in a tray or a jar. To begin, you have to find the alfalfa seeds. I buy them at a local food store, but you can also get them from feed stores or online shops.
How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts Using a Jar
Step 1: Measure one tablespoon of the alfalfa seeds
A tablespoon of the sprouts will sprout about one and a half cups of alfalfa sprouts, which can serve a maximum of two meals.
Step 2: Sort and wash the seeds
Sort out the healthy-looking seeds and rinse them using a mesh sieve or a piece of cheesecloth. Remember to make sure you only wash seeds you plan to sprout immediately.
Step 3: Place the alfalfa seeds in a glass jar
Find a flat-sided quart jar; it works best since it can be laid on its side for better circulation.
Step 4: Completely cover the seeds with about 2 inches of cold water
Use a pantyhose or a cheesecloth to cover the jar and secure the cover with a rubber band. The cover will help to hold the seeds in the jar when draining the water.
Step 5: Let the alfalfa seeds soak for at least half a day
You should keep the jar in a dry and warm place.
Step 6: Drain the water in the jar after twelve hours elapse
Do not remove the covering cheesecloth since it will hold the seeds in the jar while you drain out the water.
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Step 7: Rinse and drain the seeds
Drain all the water from the jar to prevent the seeds from rotting.
Step 8: Place the jar lying on its side in a dark place
Closets and pantries are great locations since they provide ideal temperatures. Spread the seeds across the base of the jar.
Step 9: Rinse the alfalfa seeds after every eight to twelve hours
Use lukewarm water to rinse the alfalfa seeds and completely drain the water each time. Repeat this step for four days until the seeds sprout to about two inches long.
Step 10: Move the jar into a sunlit area
Spread out the seeds on a dish or platter and place them close to a sunny window for fifteen minutes until the sprouts turn green. Sunlight activates enzymes, which make the sprouts healthy.
Step 11: Store the sprouts in a refrigerator
The cold temperatures slow down the sprouting for up to six days.
How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts Using a Clay Tray
Step 1: Measure one tablespoon of alfalfa seeds and store the remaining seeds a sealed plastic bag or in the original packaging bag.
Step 2: Sort and rinse the seeds. Sort out the seeds removing any discolored or damaged seed. Place the healthy seeds on a piece of cheesecloth and rinse them.
Step 3: Place the seeds in a jar and soak them with two inches of cold water. Make sure the seeds are completely covered with water then cover the jar with a cheesecloth bound by a rubber band.
Step 4: Place the jar in a dark room and let the seeds soak for twelve hours.
Step 5: Drain the seeds through the cheesecloth. You should drain out all the water to prevent rotting and rinse the seeds again using lukewarm water.
Step 6: Spread the alfalfa seeds over the clay tray. You can use any type of clay tray, but if possible, use a tray with a red terra cotta. Spread the seeds to cover the base of the tray evenly.
Step 7: Place the tray on a bigger pan with water. The water in the pan should cover the tray halfway up, but make sure the water does not spill into the tray.
Step 8: Place the pan and tray in a dark location and leave the seeds to sprout. The clay tray absorbs moisture from the pan that helps the seeds to sprout. I love this method since there is no need to rinse the seeds every few hours.
Step 9: Refill the pan for four to five days. Check on the level of water in the pan and refill accordingly. The seeds will not sprout if the pan runs out of water for the seeds to absorb.
Step 10: Place the tray in the sunlight when the sprouts reach two inches in length. Let the sprouts stay in the sunshine for about 15 minutes to activate essential enzymes. The sprouts are ready to eat when they turn green.
Both processes yield fresh and organic sprouts. The method to use solely lies on your preference or interest.
You can remove the hulls from the sprout if you like or leave them since they are also edible. Fresh sprouts taste the best, but if you plan to eat them later, you can store them in a dry plastic bag and refrigerate them.
FAQ’s
How long does it take to grow alfalfa sprouts?
The answer depends on how you start your sprouts. If you buy a sprouting kit, it takes about five days for the seeds to sprout. If you grow them from seed, it will take four to six weeks. Which is the better way to grow sprouts? Both methods have their pros and cons. With the kit, there are no worries about soil conditions or temperature.
You can purchase an inexpensive kit that usually comes with a sprouter, but you can also just put your sprouts in a glass jar with a lid. If you want to grow sprouts from seed, start them in an indoor potting soil. Sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the soil and place the pot in a warm location, such as a sunny window. Keep the sprouts moist, but don’t let the soil become too wet.
You should see sprouts emerging after two weeks. The easiest way to keep your sprouts fresh is to store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. But if you live in a warm climate, you might want to take them outside. If you do, make sure you have some type of cover for the sprouts. A screen works well because it keeps out the bugs and wind. Sprouts are nutritious and packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The nutrients in alfalfa sprouts are especially beneficial for children and pregnant women. Sprouts are also a good source of iron and zinc. They also contain calcium and magnesium. Alfalfa sprouts are high in antioxidants, which help prevent cancer and other diseases. A study by the University of Illinois found that alfalfa sprouts contained about 1.5 milligrams of the antioxidant glutathione per gram of sprout.
Do I need to wash alfalfa sprouts?
Do I need to wash alfalfa sprouts?
Alfalfa sprouts are a great source of nutrients and fiber. The sprouts are harvested when the sprouts are still small, and have a tender texture. Alfalfa sprouts can be eaten raw or cooked. Sprouts should be kept in the refrigerator because they spoil easily.
Sprouts will lose their crispness if stored for too long, so it is recommended that you use them within 3-5 days of purchase. How to cook alfalfa sprouts? Alfalfa sprouts are a great source of protein and vitamins. To make sprouts, first rinse the sprouts under cold water.
Then, drain the sprouts and cut them into halves or quarters. For a side dish, cook the sprouts in boiling water for about 1 minute or until tender. For a main dish, steam the sprouts in a steamer or on a wok-style pan with lid. You can also add some salt to enhance the flavor.
What do you do with alfalfa sprouts?
You can make a salad out of them, but that’s pretty much it. But if you think about it, alfalfa sprouts are pretty similar to lentils in that they don’t really have an established culinary identity in the U.S., and while both have a long history as an ingredient in Asian cuisine, they are mostly unknown here.
Conclusion
With the above steps, you can enjoy fresh alfalfa sprouts straight from your home. Both methods work well, and it all comes down to what equipment is available to you. I would recommend trays such as the hawos Terracotta Sprouter Clay Sprouting Pot if you are using the clay tray method, or you can try Ball Quart Jar with Silver Lid if you are using the jar method.
Leave a comment if you have any questions and I will gladly respond.
November 9, 2019
Best Organic Garlic Powder Certified in the USA
Garlic helps to provide your food with a sweet smelling and tasting flavor. While you can get your garlic anywhere, the best chefs know better to get theirs from organic garlic powder makers with a badge of certification from the authorities.
In this article, I will be sharing with you 5 of the best organic garlic powder that is available for purchase in the United States. But before when getting into the list, I will like to share with you some helpful tips that will help you make a decision when shopping online or at your local store.
How to Choose Organic Garlic Powder
When in the market to purchase an organic powder, you want to ensure that you
- Check to see that the product isn’t expired.
- Ensure that there is a seal of quality or certification on the product by the relevant authority.
- You also want to check the ingredient information on the package to be certain you aren’t allergic to any of the active components (but in most cases, all that’s in there are garlic bulbs that were dried and grounded).
- If you are buying online, ensure that you check the reviews to hear what customers who have used the product are saying.
Benefits of Garlic
If you use garlic as part of the ingredients in your foods, I suggest you make use of fresh bulbs or get organic garlic powder as they are very beneficial. Belonging to the same family as onions (Allium), garlic is used in cooking mainly because of its delicious taste and strong smell, some of the notable benefits of garlic include
- Packed with Nutrients and a low amount of Calories
In addition to being nutritious, garlic contains low amounts of calories which is great news if you are looking for ways to reduce your daily calorie consumption. Packed with the right amount of protein and carbohydrates, each clove of garlic contains Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Selenium, Manganese, Fiber, Phosphorus, Copper, Calcium, Potassium, Iron and other trace elements.
- Helps to Boost the Immune System
The addition of garlic to your food helps to fight against sicknesses such as flu and the common cold. While there is still a great deal of research to prove this claim, many of the nutrients present in garlic are potent when it comes to improving the immune system.
- Helps to Reduce Blood Pressure
The active ingredients found in garlic are capable of reducing blood pressure, which is a plus for those suffering from hypertension. A few spoons of organic garlic powder in your dishes will so you a lot good than harm.
- Helps to Improve Cholesterol Levels
When garlic is taken as a supplement it has been known to reduce LDL without inhibiting the effect of LDL. Patients suffering from high levels of cholesterol can include organic garlic powder in their diet to help reduce by up to 15% the levels of total and/or LDL cholesterol in the body.
- Helps to detoxify the body
Garlic has a high sulfur content that is beneficial in protecting the organs against the effect of metal toxicity. In studies conducted to check the effect of garlic in lead toxicity, it was found to reduce Pb levels in the blood by 19%.
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Best Way to Use Organic Garlic Powder
When using garlic in the kitchen, it is best that you use them fresh or ensure that they are properly dried and grounded to be stored for use later. Only choose bulbs that were grown in organic farms where they ensure the best agricultural practices. It is also important to mention that you include a decent amount when adding to your meals as you don’t want to over-spice your food. Doing so can affect the taste of the food and may result in garlic overdose.
Best Organic Garlic Powder For Sweet Smelling and Tasting Meals
Now that I have mentioned some of the benefits of garlic and what to look out for when shopping for organic garlic powder, we can then get into the details of our 5 best grown in America garlic powder that you can add to your meals for improved taste and aroma.
1. Azure Market Organics Garlic Granule

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This product is a vegan-friendly, gluten-free garlic granules that helps to improve the taste of meat, vegetable, soup, and stew. This “garlic powder” has a strong characteristic odor and an extremely pungent taste.
PROS
Certified kosher and organic.
Grown in USA.
Non-GMO.
This product has not been Irradiated.
Provides meals such as sauces, mashed or roasted potatoes with a sweet smelling garlic flavor.
No artificial sweetener, MSG, yeast, colors, or preservatives.
Good quality and good price.
CONS
The container is not resealable.
The texture is not fine powder.
Other Options. Not Organic, But With Great Taste
Kirkland Signature California Granulated Garlic

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If you need your garlic to look more like grains of sand and not in the powdered form, then you may want to settle for this product from Kirkland Signature. The garlic bulbs were grown in American farms located in California and made with the best practices. This is my pick for the best organic garlic powder grown in the USA.
PROS
Completely gluten free.
Made from completely fresh garlic grown in California.
Comes in a hard plastic bottle with a tight lid that helps to preserve the quality of the seasoning.
Tastes and smells fresh when added to all kinds of dishes that require seasoning.
CONS
Although a bit overpriced, it can be easily affordable to anyone in the market for a truly American product.
Lawry’s Garlic Salt

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Lawry’s, a restaurant chain founded in 1938 are renowned for their organic food products. This seasoned salt blend with garlic and parsley promises to add a fresh flavor to your dishes. Perfect for sauces or sprinkle on sliced avocado, this garlic seasoning from Lawry’s is a great addition to your pantry.
PROS
Great seasoning for white meat and fish.
A sweet smelling flavor that is great with any menu.
Combination with parsley helps to provide a sweet vegetable taste to your meal.
Kosher friendly as it does not contain any animal product.
CONS
A bit on the high side for a 33oz bottle with garlic and parsley.
McCormick California Style Garlic Powder with Parsley

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Since 1889, McCormick has been in the business of planting and harvesting herbs and spices for use in adding flavor to food. This powder in addition to garlic also contains parsley and sunflower oil. For a sweet smell and taste, you can include this seasoning in your vegetables, meat, stews, and soups.
PROS
Perfect for homemade marinades, stews, chili, soups, and rubs.
Made from fresh garlic
Free from MSG making it safe for use in cooking.
Salt free garlic powder.
CONS
A bit overpriced for a 24oz bottle.
Badia Roasted Garlic

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If you want your garlic to have a roasted smell to it, then you should purchase this quality product from Badia. This garlic powder is completely gluten-free and safe for consumption by vegetarians.
PROS
Adds a depth of flavoring to meals unlike regular garlic powder.
Gluten-free and safe for vegan lovers.
Made from the fresh garlic bulbs that were roasted for use as seasoning with or without garlic salt.
Great for BBQ, meat, dips, and sauces.
CONS
Might not be a good choice for those who don’t like roasting their spices and vegetables.
While Gilroy, California, is the garlic home of the USA, it is still shocking to find that most of the top garlic powder brand still source their ingredients from farms in China and other parts of the world. For those looking for a truly grown in America garlic powder, then you will have to settle for the by Kirkland Signature.
Garlic is a great seasoning with numerous benefits, it is best that you follow the guide above when shopping at your local store or online.
We encourage you to leave us a comment if you have any further question about organic garlic powder. Also, if you find this article informative, we will love for you to share it to help raise awareness.
July 4, 2019