Farming at Home
Read below to learn about how to grow your own plants at home with the alternative farming methods!
Hydroponics
Materials
*Click on specific material to find pricing on Amazon
Types of Plants to Use
Herbs
- Tarragon
- Peppermint
- Green Mint
- Oregano
- Basil
- Sage
Vegetables
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Bok Choy
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumber
- Celery
Houseplants
- Devils Ivy
- Arrowhead Plant
- Philodendron
- Peace Lily
- Female Dragon
- Leopard Lily
- Chinese Evergreen
- Spider Plant
Steps
Step 1: Measure and cut holes in the styrofoam big enough to fit the mesh pots in
Step 2: Fill a container with water along with nutrient solution (amount added to the water will depend on brand of solution). Leave about 5 inches of space above the water.
Step 3: Set up an aquarium air pump in the container to provide plants with oxygen.
Step 4: Fill the net pots with growing medium and place one plant in each pot.
Step 5: Put the net pots into the holes made early from the StyroFoam. Voila! You're done!
- Rosemary
- Lemon Balm
Aquaponics
Materials
*Click on specific material to find pricing on Amazon
Types of Fish to Use
- Tilapia
- White bass
- Barramundi
- Crappies
- Catfish
- Trout
- Jade Perch
- Silver Perch
- Goldfish
- Koi
- Murray Cod
Steps
Step 1: Wash your gravel and place it in the bottom of the fish tank.
Step 2: Drill 1/8” holes in the bottom of the growing bed every 2 square inches so the water can drain into the tank.
Step 3: On the back corners of the growing bed, drill a 1/2” hole for the tubing from the water pump to pass through.
Step 4: Place the water pump in the fish tank then set the growing bed on top of the tank.
Step 5: Feed the tubing from the water pump through the hole made on the back corner of the growing bed.
Step 6: Cut off any excess tube and fold the end over than seal the folded piece with a strong adhesive.
Step 7: Fill the growing bed with the growing medium.
Step 8: Puncture small holes, every 2 inches, on the tubing from the water pump.
Step 9: Cover the tubing with more growing medium.
Step 10: Fill the fish tank with water and then plug in the pump to ensure that the water is pumped into the growing bed. Make sure the water trickles down through the growing medium and continuously back into the tank.
Step 11: If the system is properly done, add in your fishes.
Step 12: Wait about 4 weeks before planting any plants to get the system ready.
Step 13: Voila! You just made your own aquaponic system!
Watch this video for a more detailed how to!
