Hydroponics is easier (and cheaper) than ever

Hydroponics is a system for growing plants without soil. You have seen them. Plants grow faster under the controlled conditions. It takes up less space than an outdoor garden, but it can be just as much fun.

I can see some of your eyes glaze over as you think back to chemistry class and wonder why you would ever want to have to mix chemicals and keep track of pH to grow a tomato? Well, first, I am not talking "organophosphate poison" type chemicals, but rather super-pure, mined from the earth, mineral salts.

While this is still the norm, more and more hydroponics enthusiasts have started to use organics and compost teas. Either way, a lot has been learned about growing hydroponically over the past 30 years and it is now really, really, really easy to maintain a system.

OK, but what about the expensive equipment?

Tom Alexander, a great friend and publisher of gardening's best news site/blog www.GrowingEdge.com is a guru of hydroponics. He reminded me that there is an extremely simple and cheap way for everyone to try using hydroponics. All it takes is a large Rubbermaid or similar tub or even just a 5 gallon bucket. Next, a piece of Styrofoam that fits inside and will float when the container is filled with water. The plants are inserted into holes in the Styrofoam and the roots grow in the solution as the Styrofoam floats on it.

Wow, what could be easier?

So, the equipment part of a hydroponics system doesn't have to be complicated, expensive or even store bought.

I still had my reservations about the solution part, but Tom reminded me that things have changed from the old days. For one thing, there are now plenty of "nutrients in a jug" for non-chemistry people who just want to pour a few teaspoons of ''stuff" in once a week. You can find these listed at www.cultivatingeden.net/nutes.htm. Many of these products are available at Alaska Mill and Feed and Far North Garden Supply.

The other thing Tom pointed out is that many hydroponics growers want to use the 'organic" moniker and use compost tea as the solution in their systems. The use of compost tea requires the addition of a small air pump to aerate the water, no big deal in this day of inexpensive aquarium supplies.

You can make a small brewer using a big yogurt cup and a large aquarium pump. You can also get a commercial, 5-gallon brewer and use the extra tea for your houseplants. Look for a KIS brewer at Alaska Mill and Feed or go to www.simplify-tea.com.

Of course, you could buy a commercial system. If you are interested, study what is available at www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/hydro_systems.html. Some of these systems are available at Far North Garden Supply, but you can order them direct as well. Check out www.generalhydroponics.com/, the industry leader in home systems.

If your interest is in the least piqued, why not learn more about hydroponics? First, check out http://www.kidsgardening.com/HYDROPONICSGUIDE/hydro1-1-intro.asp.

This is a children's "how-to" hydroponics site. Since we are all novices, it is a great place to start and readily understandable. For more advanced information, check out the books and back issues available at www/growingedge.com.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.