Recently, I started becoming concerned about the food we eat, the vegetables sold in the markets and the pesticides widely used in all the crops. I then started reading up on urban gardening. I found out that Oh Farm does hydroponics farming and so I went to visit. They hold school visit tours and have a small office for purchasing of starter kits and hydroponically grown vegetables at $1 per pack.
DIY Hydroponics Veg Kit $18 for 8 small holes, $14 for 4 big holes
Materials Provided
- 1 Styrofoam box
- 1 Water level indicator
- 1 packet of Seed
- 1 packet of Leca
- 1 packet of Vermiculite
- 1 set of Nutrient solution (120ml)
- 1 Measuring cup
- 8 Small net pots / 4 Big net pots (depending on the set you buy)
Steps for setting up
- Prepare net pots
- Fill 3/4 of the net pot with Leca
- Spread a layer of vermiculute till the leca is covered
- Drop 3 seeds into each pot except for Kang kong which requires 5 seeds
- Prepare nutrient solution
- Fill the styrofoam box with 8-9 litres of water.
- Put the Water level indicator into the box and ensure that the water is at its maximum level.
- Pour in 40ml of each nutrient into the water. Do not attempt to mix the nutrient together, just pour into the water separately.
- Stir well.
- Final Setup
- Put the cover on, and make sure it sits perfectly
- Place all the net pots into the holes.
- Place the kit somewhere that has sunlight but showered from rain
- Daily maintenance
- Whenever the indicator drops to its minimum level, top the nutrient solution up to OPT level.
- To make the nutrient solution, pour 5ml of nutrient A and B into 1 litre of water. Keep this solution and pour into box whenever required.
- Pest Attack
- Mash a clove of garlic and mix with 500ml of tap water.
- Spray the underside of the vegetables
- Alternatively, cover with a net
- Harvesting (30-35 days later)
- Trim plant off the net pot for consumption
- Pack in a plastic bag for easy storage in the fridge
- Leftover nutrient solution in the box can be used for watering your house plants.
- Recycle
- Wash the net pots, styrofoam and leca.
- Sun all the materials for 2 days, ensuring that it is dry and clean.
- Repeat the whole process for another round of crops.