HYDROPONIC PLANTSWhat To Grow?

Have you thought about what hydroponic plants you would like to grow in your new garden?
This decision will point you to the type of unit that would be best for you.
At the bottom of this page we introduce four simple hydroponics systems. But
first, here are some guidelines to get you thinking about your future garden:

Start with vegetables you and your family
love. It might be fun to grow 40 radishes, but if y'all don't like them, why
waste the space? (Note: give radishes a try before you rule them out. Fresh
from the garden to your salad tastes delightfully different).

If you start out with just one small unit,
make the space count! If your family enjoys salads, then stick mostly to
salad vegetables at first--- lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, celery, and tuck a
cuke plant in the corner.

Give priority to vegetables that taste the
best fresh-picked and the worst from the supermarket. You'll enjoy
much better flavor in your home-grown lettuces, tomatoes (especially),
celery, spring onions and herbs.

Don't waste space on potatoes or turnips,
as they are pretty standard in taste; you won't see a big difference in
home-grown. Root veggies are also harder to grow in a hydroponic pot, as
they need a lot of depth. (Later on, do try your hand at short variety
gourmet carrots for a real taste treat).

Fresh herbs are awesome! We have a special
section for you
Herb
Freaks.

What NOT to grow?

TIP

Once you have a little experience under your belt, and have the room for it, by all means try your hand at vining crops. Read all about training and pruning vines here.

The most ideal hydroponic plants do NOT include: corn, zucchini, summer squash, melons.

Sure they can be grown in a hydroponic
garden, but they are space hogs, and just not practical. They will take over
your whole unit.

Your resources are
better spent on crops more suited to the compact systems. Think small for now--- bush or
patio strains of beans, tomatoes and cucumbers.

If you later get into a greenhouse, you'll have
the room to train all those beautiful vining crops all the way to the
ceiling (no lights to stay under). You could experiment with any crops
under the sun, even corn if you'd like.

Hydroponics is the Answer!

Now, with hydroponics... since productive space is at a premium, you're
forced to think carefully about how much to plant of what.

How about just one tomato plant, one cuke, one or two peppers, lots of lettuces,
spinach and onions?

No weeds, no bugs, no excess produce. You will find that with a hydroponic
garden, you will plant a wider variety, fewer plants of each crop, and you will
utilize it all. Hydroponic plants are much more practical and less wasteful.

What a difference hydroponics will make in your gardening experience! You'll just love
it.

Later, we will go into more detail on the individual hydroponic plants
varieties, and which ones work best with which units. Check out our Plants &
Produce section for that!