They Built Their Own Hydroponic Greenhouse

2016 - Volume #40, Issue #5, Page #18

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Jordan Gogerty and Danny Richters built their hydroponic greenhouse on the cheap using salvaged materials.
    “We gained a wealth of experience in what works and what doesn’t without taking a big financial risk,” says Gogerty. “We started more than 1,000 tomato seedlings and 800 peppers in the greenhouse last April. Danny transplanted them to the field and started picking ripe tomatoes by July 4th.”
    The 12 by 20-ft. structure has a base of salvaged 2 by 4-in. bridge deck planks and is covered with heavy plastic. The sloping south roof maximizes sun warmth, while an upper section to the north vents excess heat in the summer. In the winter, it provides sunlight to the rear of the greenhouse.
    Seedlings were started in a variety of containers from pint size to 5-gal. buckets. Most containers were filled with rock wool; however, Gogerty and Richters also experimented with mulch as a planting medium. Gogerty started basil in small pint containers before transplanting. He also started and maintained tomatoes and romaine lettuce hydroponically in the greenhouse for family use throughout the spring and summer. Meanwhile, Richters developed a commercial market for his produce.
    “He had 800 tomato plants survive in the field. He sells bulk to local restaurants and supermarkets,” says Gogerty. “He also sells buckets of canner tomatoes to individuals.”
    Larger containers such as buckets were connected in series with pvc pipes. All plants in the hydroponic system receive nutrient-rich solutions.
    Gogerty suggests that the low-cost greenhouse will likely undergo changes as “proof of concept” is verified. Their goal is to keep costs down while developing productive methods that work.
    “We may build a bigger one,” says Gogerty. “We have a pit under our current greenhouse. We are considering filling it with water as a heat sink.”
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jordan Gogerty, 33094 K. Ave., Hubbard, Iowa 50122 (ph 641 487-7825 or 515 209-9406; jordangogerty@gmail.com).

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They Built Their Own Hydroponic Greenhouse BUILDINGS Miscellaneous Jordan Gogerty and Danny Richters built their hydroponic greenhouse on the cheap using salvaged materials “We gained a wealth of experience in what works and what doesn’t without taking a big financial risk ” says Gogerty “We started more than 1 000 tomato seedlings and 800 peppers in the greenhouse last April Danny transplanted them to the field and started picking ripe tomatoes by July 4th ” The 12 by 20-ft structure has a base of salvaged 2 by 4-in bridge deck planks and is covered with heavy plastic The sloping south roof maximizes sun warmth while an upper section to the north vents excess heat in the summer In the winter it provides sunlight to the rear of the greenhouse Seedlings were started in a variety of containers from pint size to 5-gal buckets Most containers were filled with rock wool; however Gogerty and Richters also experimented with mulch as a planting medium Gogerty started basil in small pint containers before transplanting He also started and maintained tomatoes and romaine lettuce hydroponically in the greenhouse for family use throughout the spring and summer Meanwhile Richters developed a commercial market for his produce “He had 800 tomato plants survive in the field He sells bulk to local restaurants and supermarkets ” says Gogerty “He also sells buckets of canner tomatoes to individuals ” Larger containers such as buckets were connected in series with pvc pipes All plants in the hydroponic system receive nutrient-rich solutions Gogerty suggests that the low-cost greenhouse will likely undergo changes as “proof of concept” is verified Their goal is to keep costs down while developing productive methods that work “We may build a bigger one ” says Gogerty “We have a pit under our current greenhouse We are considering filling it with water as a heat sink ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jordan Gogerty 33094 K Ave Hubbard Iowa 50122 ph 641 487-7825 or 515 209-9406; jordangogerty@gmail com