It’s time to start thinking about planting a garden, and if you want easy gardening, I have just the solution for you! How about a garden with hydroponics without electricity or soil? Sound impossible, well maybe not. This system eliminates weeding, grows food quicker and in less than half the space of soil agriculture and is said to produce higher mineral density in the food–all without electricity and soil!
Recently Mike Adams of Foodrising.org published free 3D printer files to make your own gardening system that does not require electricity. So how does this work? With a 3D printer you are able to print the parts needed to create the system which is basically just a float valve. If you don’t have access to a 3D printer, you can buy the part or system from his site or from a home improvement store.
First off, I must tell you that this system is based on an automatic float valve design which allows water into the system using a connected drip line and a water reservoir that is elevated above the system. Gravity pulls down the nutrient-filled water to the system and the float valve shuts off the water when a certain level is reached. When the water levels drops, the float valve opens up and water is replenished. A constant height of water is maintained through the hinge function. If you like the science of this idea, read more about non-circulating hydroponics according to B. A. Kratky of the University of Hawaii here.
This is the concept according to Professor Kratky:
You will need the following to build a system:
- Non BPA plastic bins with smooth cover. HDP preferred.
- Drill
- Float Valve – can purchase, create on printer or create yourself (washer, vitamin bottle, paper clip, pencil eraser)
- Drip line
- Bucket or reservoir
- pH meter
- Grow medium (coconut coir)
- Non-GMO seed
- Nutrients
Good luck creating your new organic farm. Start simple with maybe lettuce and herbs. Once your understand your system, you can introduce other plant varieties and remember the growing and germination period is always shorter for hydroponics. Once set up, it will be easier than you realize! Happy Gardening!
Leave a Reply