Gardening Articles

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Saturday, 17th May 2008 @ 8:26 PM

If the advantages of hydroponic growing could be summed up in a single word it would be "control." As a hydroponic grower, you have ultimate control over your plant's environment, including the amount of light your plants receive, your hydroponic nutrients, and your pH levels. But without knowing how to properly measure all of these factors, this control that you enjoy is completely useless. For this reason, it is vital that you purchase the appropriate measuring eq... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Saturday, 17th May 2008 @ 7:54 PM

One of the biggest and most important investments you will make as a hydroponic grower will be your grow lights. The quality and type of your grow lights may very well determine how successful your hydroponic garden is. The grow lights used for hydroponics are just as safe as any standard lighting in your house, but it still pays to be cautious when setting up and using these lights. Here are a few tips you can use to make sure your grow lights don't pose a hazard to you and your garden.more...

Home » Gardening | By Stephanie Foster @ Saturday, 17th May 2008 @ 2:52 PM

With food prices going up I've been hearing more and more people talk about starting a garden. It's a great way to get a little more control over your food supply. It's also a great activity for the entire family, even fairly young children. How many little kids do you know that don't love bugs, dirt and plants? While it can cost a little money to get things started, and there are no guarantees that you'll see a good harvest, there are many benefits to gard... more...

Home » Gardening | By MIKE SELVON @ Tuesday, 13th May 2008 @ 10:15 AM

There is no longer any doubt that landfills are rapidly filling and nearing capacity and that the price of properly disposing of garbage and sewage is on the rise. In some areas, some relief has been brought about by organic waste recycling efforts. In addition, this kind of recycling of organic material can also help reduce the dangers of ground water contamination and can help organic farmers prepare soil that is healthier for growing. According to researchers, large cities and substan... more...

Home » Gardening | By Benjamin Brook @ Sunday, 11th May 2008 @ 2:45 AM

There are many ways that you can create gardens even when you don't feel that you have the right amount of space to do so. Doing things like kitchen gardening can be a great way of allowing yourself to have the fun of having a small garden, without worrying about needing a large outdoor space to put it in. When you are looking at kitchen gardening you are looking at a way to create your own garden in your own space. How Does It Work? Have you ever wanted to have a garden but ... more...

Home » Gardening | By MIKE SELVON @ Saturday, 10th May 2008 @ 4:15 PM

Certainly there is a good deal of discussion and concern nowadays about organic products and also about defining the meaning of the term organic waste. Essentially, it is the byproduct of any material that is biological in origin. Common types of such waste includes virtually all paper products, including newspapers and cardboard; food waste; green waste material which encompasses yard and garden waste; animal manure and feces; and various biosolids and sludge components. The process that... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Friday, 9th May 2008 @ 5:24 AM

Deciding which hydroponic system you will use will depends on how much money you will spend, what kind of plants you are able to grow, and how successful your garden will be. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose a system that matches your budget, needs, and experience. Hydroponic systems vary in what kind of equipment is required, how the nutrients are delivered, and what media can be successfully used. The main kinds of the hydroponic systems are: Wick Hydroponic System - ... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Thursday, 8th May 2008 @ 11:27 PM

Though hydroponic growing began thousands of years ago, aeroponics is fairly new to the world of agriculture. In fact, it wasn't until the 1940's that scientists first successfully grew plants using air as a medium and it wasn't until the 1980's that new technology allowed aeroponics to be viable on a large scale. Aeroponics may seem simple enough. After all, they sell miniature aeroponic systems through infomercials and on the Internet. But for the more serious hydr... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Thursday, 8th May 2008 @ 11:16 PM

Hydroponics is a fantastic way to grow your own plants any time of the year but it can also be costly, especially if you want to operate a decent sized garden. Getting started in the world of hydroponics does not always have to break the bank though. Following these simple tips can save a lot of money on hydroponics equipment and operating costs. Calculate Your Costs Over Time - Just because a piece of equipment appears cheap, that does not mean that it will actually save you money in the... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Thursday, 8th May 2008 @ 10:41 PM

In the world of hydroponics, the most successful grower is often the one who gathers the most hydroponics information. If you ever meet someone who is renowned for a having a "green thumb," chances are their book shelves will be lined with tons of books, magazines, and other resources to better help them understand the art, craft, and science of hydroponics. If you want to give yourself the same edge and reputation, you should never skip an opportunity to learn everything you can... more...

Home » Gardening | By India Cooper @ Wednesday, 7th May 2008 @ 10:00 AM

Spring is here, summer's on its way and it's time to enjoy the fruits of other people's labour. Yes, garden show season is almost upon us and there's a lot to see. Garden shows in the UK come in all styles and sizes, so you'll be able to pick one that appeals to you. Whether you want to go to a big show and pick up some tips and bargains or to a small private viewing, there'll be something for you. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) puts on regular... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 9:05 PM

When someone makes a large investment in their hydroponic system, they want to make sure that their equipment is going to last. The first step to making this possible is purchasing quality, durable equipment. Sometimes a larger investment up front can save you a lot of money that you would otherwise have to spend replacing your equipment. The second step to doing this is ensuring that all of your equipment is properly maintained and well cared for. Of all the hydroponic supplies in your g... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 8:10 PM

Though hydroponics has many advantages over traditional soil growing, plants grown hydroponically are still subject to the same kind of diseases of soil-based plants. One of the biggest factors that determine your success in general hydroponics growing may very well be what steps you take to make sure your plants stay uninfected. If you take the following measures, your odds of having to deal with an epidemic in your grow room will decrease dramatically. Keep Your Grow Room Clean - Old tr... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 8:04 PM

Hydroponics has its beginnings alongside the formation of the first major civilizations. Hieroglyphic records show that the ancient Egyptians were probably the first people to attempt to grow plants in a soil-less environment. Some suspect that the hanging Gardens of Babylon may have used primitive hydroponic technology. The Roman Emperor Tiberius is believed to have used hydroponic techniques to grow cucumbers out of season. But after these early experiments, there is little evidence that any... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 7:29 PM

The ebb and flow system, also known as the flood and drain system, is one of the most popular systems beginners choose to start hydroponic growing. It requires mostly basic hydroponics supplies and very little maintenance. It works by flooding the grow tray for a period of time to soak the roots and then allowing the nutrient solution to drain back into the reservoir. This occurs several times a day. The exact number of floodings will depend upon what kind of plants you are growing. You w... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 7:12 PM

PH is a way of measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The scale for pH readings ranges from 1 to 14. Unadulterated water registers a completely neutral reading of seven. A reading of seven means that the number of acid ions is totally equal to the number alkaline ions present in the measured solution. Any reading above seven indicates that alkaline ions are in greater number, and any reading below seven indicates that there are more acid ions. Each number above or below seven indica... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 7:08 PM

Whether you want to enter the world of hydroponic gardening for fun or profit, it pays to know what you are doing before you make any investment. As with most hobbies, you will become a better gardener as you become more accustomed to the requirements and complexities of growing plants in a soil-less environment. With the proper amount of research and planning, you can avoid several costly, common and time consuming mistakes. Going Cheap On The Light - Many make the mistake of th... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 6:53 PM

In the specialized world of hydroponics, it can sometimes seem like growers are using a foreign language. Here are some key hydroponics terms and their definitions that will hopefully make you better equipped to understand the world of hydroponic growing. Medium - Medium simply refers to the material that your plants grow in. In traditional gardening, the medium is soil. In hydroponic gardening, it can be coconut fiber, clay pebbles, rockwool, water or even air. The medium you choose for ... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 6:48 PM

A common misconception of hydroponic gardening is that you never have to worry about dealing with pests and bugs. Many growers wish this was true because the fact of the matter is that even in a soilless garden you have to deal with some of the same kinds of critters that can damage traditional gardens. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and quick action, you can easily prevent or minimize the damage caused by bugs to your plants and hydroponics supplies. Here are a few of the more comm... more...

Home » Gardening | By michael straumietis @ Tuesday, 6th May 2008 @ 6:44 PM

Hydroponic growers are always on the lookout for information that can give them bigger yields, tastier vegetables, and help them reduce the problems that can sometimes arise from hydroponic growing. While books and magazines can provide tons of fantastic information, many growers turn to hydroponic videos to give them the edge that they desire. Hydroponic videos can give you a better understanding of the early signals of the onset of disease or infestation and allow you to actually see ... more...