Hydroponic System

As we have been starting our microgreens, we also have been preparing to begin with hydroponics.  Over the last few months we have slowly been piecing together components for our own homemade system, and today it is finally ready. 

 We started some lettuces and some spinach at the same time as our microgreens. We planted the seeds in organic potting soil to start them, and have had them beneath the grow light to strengthen them enough for transplanting. 

Here is day 1

On day 3 we saw the first signs of life. 

Day 4 most of the lettuce came up, but not much of the spinach. 

Here is day 5

And here are the plants today, after some have been transplanted into the Aquaponics system. 

Our system consists of a 27 gallon tote, with holes cut out of the lid in order to just fit our growing cups. 

The cups are filled with growing pebbles and rest on the surface of the water, which is constantly being airated with bars that are commonly used in fish tanks. 

To transplant the lettuce we carefully rinsed the soil from the roots and placed the plants in the growing containers with the pebbles for support. They were then inserted into the holes and fit quite snugly inside. 

The water is treated with a solution of fertilizer to help the plants grow.

We have been very excited to get this project done. We are looking forward to the fresh vegetables our new system will provide!