As the world teeters on the brink of economic collapse, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for anything. That includes food shortages. While stockpiling non-perishable items is a good start, you’ll need a consistent source of fresh fruits and vegetables to stay healthy in the long term. That’s where hydroponics, and hydroponics suppliers like Progrow, come in.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are grown in a water and nutrient solution. This method has a number of advantages over traditional gardening, including a reduced water footprint and the ability to grow plants indoors with minimal sunlight. In addition, during a prolonged economic downturn, hydroponics could be the difference between life and death.
Getting Started with Hydroponics
As anyone who has ever tried to grow plants knows, choosing the right location is essential. If you want your plants to thrive, you need to pick a spot that gets plenty of sun and is protected from strong winds. Unfortunately, finding such a spot can be difficult, especially if you live in an urban area. That’s where hydroponics gives you an advantage. By growing plants in water instead of soil, you can free up space and give your plants the perfect growing conditions.
Of course, setting up a hydroponic system can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. The good news is that plenty of resources are available to help you get started. There are many types of hydroponic systems, but the deep water culture system is the most common. Deep water culture systems are relatively easy to set up and maintain, making them ideal for beginner hydroponic gardeners. With a little planning and effort, you can have a thriving hydroponic garden in no time.
To set up a deep water culture system, you’ll need:
- A storage container or fish tank
- An air pump
- Air lines
- A diffuser
- A net pot
- Hydroton or other grow media
- Nutrient solution
- pH test kit
Fill your storage container with clean water, and then add your nutrient solution according to the manufacturer’s directions. Next, place your net pot in the center of the container and fill it with hydroton or other grow media. Finally, attach your air lines to the air pump and diffuser and place them in the container to distribute oxygen evenly to your plants’ roots.
Growing Your Plants
Once your system is set up, it’s time to start growing! Many vegetables and fruits can be grown using hydroponics, but some crops are better suited to this method than others. Some of the best crops for hydroponic gardens include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and strawberries.
Simply sow your seeds in the hydroton or other grow media in your net pot to get started. Once your seedlings have sprouted and are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger net pots filled with fresh hydroton or grow media. Be sure to keep an eye on your plants’ roots and regularly check the pH level of your nutrient solution; if necessary, adjust accordingly using pH Up or pH Down solutions. With proper care, your plants should thrive!
The Bottom Line
As our world becomes increasingly unstable, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for anything. That’s why growing food using hydroponics is such a smart idea. It allows you to produce fresh fruits and vegetables with minimal sunlight and water, and it also reduces your dependence on grocery stores and other food sources that could quickly become unavailable in a crisis. And in addition to being a smart way to prepare for economic collapse or other disruptions to our food supply chain, hydroponics is also fun and satisfying. There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing that you’re able to provide for yourself and your family in a time of need. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your own hydroponic garden today.
