Home Hydroponics

In this more sophisticated method, the plants grow not in pure water, but in an artificial medium that remains flushed with water and nutrients. The inert "soil" is far less dense than real soil and provides only a structural support for the plant while allowing greater exchange of oxygen.

Modern home hydroponic systems come in a lot of different configurations and are available from various manufacturers at reasonable prices. Gardening by the Yard host Paul James purchased a system that consisted of a plastic planter box with a built-in recirculating pump, a reservoir tray, a bag of artificial earth, and some nutrients. Here's how to set up the system:

1. Put the planter box in the reservoir tray and add the artificial earth. Dissolve a teaspoon of nutrients into a gallon of room-temperature water and pour the solution into the planter box (figure A). Repeat the process two more times for a total of 3 teaspoons of nutrients and 3 gallons of water. (Sure, you could do this all at once, but who has a 3-gallon container lying around the house? Besides, 3 gallons of water would weigh nearly 25 pounds.)
2. Once the water has drained through the artificial earth and into the reservoir tray to a depth of about one inch (figure B), plug the unit into a standard electrical outlet to start the pump. The system is now ready for planting.
3. Place your hydroponic system near a large south-facing window or under lights for best results, especially if you want to grow flowers or summer vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers. Assuming the plants have adequate light and the system functions properly, nearly anything can be grown using hydroponics. Salad crops, especially lettuces, work best because they grow quickly and don't require a lot of light.

Relax and enjoy, knowing you're taking part in an ancient tradition. Hydroponic gardening has been around a long time, having been developed centuries ago in ancient Babylon. The Aztecs and the Mayans of South America also used hydroponics to grow all sorts of food, as did early tribes along the Amazon River.