How to Start a Hydroponic Garden for an Unlimited Supply of Produce Year-Round

Ready to get growing indoors? Here's how to enjoy endless herbs and fresh greens all year long.

Whether you’re interested in growing microgreens on the kitchen counter or planning a much larger project in your greenhouse, a hydroponic garden is a great choice for those who lack the space for a traditional one. These indoor gardens can grow an impressive variety of plants, from herbs like basil, mint, and cilantro to leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale.

However, hydroponic gardening shouldn’t be approached haphazardly—details like setup, lighting, proper materials, and nutrients should all be considered beforehand. Here’s what our experts say you should always consider when planning a hydroponic garden.

Meet the Expert

• Manny Barra, community garden coordinator in Oakland, Calif. and master gardener at TeachMe.To

• Melanie Marcus, registered dietician and ambassador for Aquatree, a hydroponic system for superfoods

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Benefits

The biggest perk of hydroponic gardening—a growing technique that eschews soil and uses a water-based nutrient solution instead—is that it lets you grow healthy foods year-round, even with limited space. “Personally, it allows me to grow items I love to use daily, like arugula and cilantro, without worrying about spoilage or buying too much,” says Melanie Marcus, a registered dietician and an ambassador for Aquatree, a hydroponic system. “I just harvest what I need, and the plants keep growing.” That's just one of the many benefits of a hydroponic garden. Others include:

• Fast grow times: “Because you're growing indoors at an ideal temperature, plants thrive and grow quickly,” says Marcus. “Once they mature, you can have a continual harvest for crisp, flavorful greens year-round.”

• Less water waste: Because plants have direct access to nutrients and water, a hydroponic garden uses about 90% less water than traditional gardening methods.

• Fewer hassles: “Every gardener will appreciate that weeding and pests are a thing of the past when you start to grow hydroponically,” says Marcus.

Drawbacks

When it comes to the cons of hydroponic gardening, the cost ranks highest. “It does come with some initial investment in equipment, such as lights, pumps, and timers,” says Marcus. “But there are many systems available that offer a complete package, so you can get everything you need at once to start.” Other roadblocks to keep in mind include:

• Regular maintenance: Just as with any garden, cleaning and upkeep is needed to ensure that water temperature and quality is maintained.

• Needs electricity: If there’s a power outage, then your plants may suffer without the pumps and lights they rely on.

• Not beginner friendly: “Beginners may face a learning curve when it comes to the initial setup, as it is quite different from traditional gardening,” says Marcus. “But I found that it became intuitive quite quickly, once my seedlings sprouted and I could harvest frequently."
  

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Choose Food-Friendly Materials

“Before we go shopping for hydroponic systems, there’s one big rule: stick to food-grade materials,” says Manny Barra, a master gardener at TeachMe.To. “When you’re growing plants hydroponically, they’re in direct contact with all the materials you use. Food-grade plastic or stainless steel are your best bets, as they don’t leach any questionable chemicals that could end up in your plants.” Barra recommends two types of food-grade plastics that work well for hydroponics:

• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE plastic is durable, resistant to moisture, and doesn’t absorb chemicals, according to Barra—making it an excellent choice for nutrient reservoirs and containers. It's also sturdy and can handle the weight of larger plants.

• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): LDPE is a slightly softer plastic, says Barra, making it more flexible. It's also food-safe and resistant to impact, so it works well for tubing and smaller containers that might need a bit of bend or give.

""It can feel overwhelming at first, but remember, it’s just gardening with a twist. And with all the rewards—think endless herbs and fresh greens—it’s worth every task.”"

Manny Barra, master gardener

Determine the Right System

There are a few different types of hydroponic systems, each with its unique style and benefits. “Choosing the right one depends on your goals, space, the type of plants you want to grow, and how hands-on you want to be with maintenance,” says Barra.

Deep Water Culture

This is one of the simplest hydroponic systems, and it's great for beginners, according to Barra. “In deep water culture, plant roots dangle in a nutrient-rich reservoir with an air pump to keep oxygen levels high,” he says. “It’s ideal for leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and herbs, but might be a bit more challenging for fruiting plants.”

Nutrient Film Technique

Nutrient film technique (NFT) uses a shallow stream of nutrient-rich water that flows constantly over the roots of your plants. “It’s a great choice for smaller plants, like herbs and lettuce, but can be trickier for larger, heavy plants due to the need for careful balancing,” says Barra. “NFT setup also requires a bit more technical work to ensure proper flow and to prevent root clogging.”

Ebb and Flow, or Flood and Drain

In this system, a timed pump periodically floods the plant roots with nutrients and then drains it back into the reservoir. “It’s a good choice if you want to try growing a wider variety of plants, like tomatoes or peppers,” says Barra. “However, it does require a bit more setup and maintenance, especially when it comes to ensuring proper drainage and timing.”

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Establish Proper Ventilation

Plants need airflow to stay strong and prevent moldy disasters. “Just like humans, plants don’t like stale, humid air—especially when they’re working hard to grow leaves and roots,” says Barra. “Indoors, you’ll want fans to keep the air moving. Outdoors, you can let the breeze do its thing, but if your hydroponic setup is in a greenhouse or enclosed area, use oscillating fans to evenly distribute airflow.”

Adopt Organic Liquid Nutrients

In hydroponics, the nutrients are in the water, not the soil—that's where organic nutrients come in to save the day. “Look for organic liquid nutrients that are specially formulated for hydroponics,” says Barra. “These mixes often contain all the essential goodies, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plus micronutrients like iron and magnesium, which are key for plant health.”

When it comes to application, Barra follows the instructions exactly. “With hydroponics, less is often more,” he says. “Too many nutrients can lead to nutrient burn, and that’s a sad way for your kale to go.”

Opt for Ideal Lighting

Without the sun, your plants are essentially in the dark. Most indoor hydroponic gardens need full-spectrum LED grow lights, which provide the light wavelengths plants need for photosynthesis. “Position your lights 6 to 12 inches above seedlings and adjust as they grow,” says Barra. “For outdoor setups, the sun should do the trick—though supplemental lighting can help on cloudy days.”

Monitor the Reservoir

Hydroponics involve watching your nutrient reservoir closely. “If the pH is too high or too low, plants can’t absorb nutrients and they’ll start wilting,” says Barra. “A pH meter lets you check levels at any time.”

A meter can measure total dissolved solids (TDS), which is the amount of nutrients in your reservoir. This will help you to avoid overloading your plants with nutrients, or accidentally starving them. “If you’re looking for automation, you can even get devices that monitor pH and TDS levels for you, alerting you when it’s time for adjustments,” says Barra.

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Regulate the Temperature

Plants love consistency, and extreme temperatures are less than ideal. Barra suggests keeping the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for best results. ”Use a space heater if you’re in a cold area or a fan for heat waves,” he says. “A greenhouse can keep things stable outdoors, protecting your plants from temperature fluctuations.”

Maintain Your System

Maintenance is your friend in hydroponics, and weekly tasks include checking the pH and TDS, topping up the water and nutrients, and rinsing out your reservoir every one to two weeks to prevent buildup of nutrients or algae. “Hydroponics can feel overwhelming at first, but remember, it’s just gardening with a twist,” says Barra. “And with all the rewards—think endless herbs and fresh greens—it’s worth every task.”