Hydroculture: A New Twist to Indoor Gardening

Fall will soon be approaching. For most of us, who lives in an area that actually have winter months this means freezing temperatures and snow, this also means outside gardening time is about over for us, this year. But don't despair. If you still have the gardening bug, you could try your luck at some indoor gardening.

One great example at a different approach to indoor gardening is hydroculture. Hydro what? Actually, the term hydroculture just means growing plants without soil. Yes, anyone can do it. It isn't just for scientists, although scientists do grow plants this way. But when they do it they are more precise and they measure every type of nutrient the plant needs. The amateur home gardener can do it in a much more basic way. The plus side to planting plants this way is that they do not need as much attention as they do when planted in soil.

You can go to a nursery and buy a plant planted in a pot all ready growing this way. Usually, the plant is growing in clay granules. But if you do it this way you are taking the fun out of planting the plant yourself. If you still have the gardening itch, you want to touch the roots of the plant and you want to get a little dirty, right?

Here are the things you will need to start your hydroculture plant:

A young plant
A mesh plastic pot, with slatted or mesh sides (that looks like a basket)
A larger pot that can hold the mesh pot and that can contain water
Clay granules
A water indicator
Special Hyrdroculture fertilizer
Tap water

Here are the easy steps in making your on hydroculture plant:

1. Choose a young plant and remove it from its soil tray. Wash all of the soil completely from it. Then find a mesh plastic type container (one that looks like a basket with slatted sides or mesh sides around it.). Now place the plant in the container.

2. Pack clay granules around the roots of the plant. Be careful not to damage the roots.

3. Find a larger watertight container. Place about 1/2 inch of clay granules to the bottom of the container. Insert the mesh container into a larger watertight container.

4. Insert the water level tube inside the first container (the mesh container that is containing the plant).