Build Your Own Hydroponic Garden

Build Your Own Hydroponic Garden FARM HOME Food “We started hydroponic gardening because of the porous soil in our area It was like pouring fertilizer down a black hole ” says Nathaniel Burson of Big Sandy Texas Since he couldn’t find a small-scale hydroponic system he built and designed both horizontal and vertical models for his family’s use They worked so well he now sells instructional DVD’s to teach others how to build their own The horizontal “hydroponic lettuce run” is 4 by 10-ft and costs about $200 if you buy everything new including seven 10-ft pipes a holding tank pump and other parts “It’s easy to put together and you don’t have to know much about gardening to do it ” Burson says “It’s a good start-up for a small business ” Besides building plans the DVD includes information about where to purchase fertilizer and how to grow lettuce and herbs ” The plants grow in cubes with a water and fertilizer mix continuously flowing by Burson notes that his 10-ft long setup grows a “phenomenal amount” of lettuce and/or herbs “It’s more than several families can consume ” Burson says “In peak production it is not at all uncommon to pick 10 to 20 pounds of lettuce off this bed - every other day ” He adds that there is a growing demand for gourmet lettuce at stores and restaurants “There’s no dirt so the lettuce is perfectly clean ” he adds Lettuce grows in temperatures between 40 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit The hydroponic system can be built at any height for grower comfort The biggest advantage may be the small amount of space it requires Burson’s vertical design only needs 1 by 4-sq ft of floor space It is ideal for growing strawberries but can also grow lettuce and herbs “Cost for the vertical garden DVD and the lettuce garden DVD is 49 95 for the pair with free shipping They can also be purchased separately on the website along with other gardening DVDs that have been featured in Farm Show Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Easiestgarden com 10758 St Hwy 155 S Big Sandy Texas 75755 ph 903 576-6800; orders@easiestgarden com

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.