I know we all have that moment—seeing two plants with similar appearances and wondering if they are somehow related. That is exactly what I thought when I personally saw lemon balm and mint side by side. Generally, lemon balm has a variety of uses in the culinary and cosmetic fields. However, mint is also a…
The soil you are stepping on is like everything else in nature – it changes. The ground in your yard erodes, rots, and is carried away, making it look like your yard is sinking. In general, sinking soil in a yard or garden is often a natural phenomenon caused by 1) organic matter breaking down,…
Every hydroponic journey starts with identifying which plants are best and worst to grow. Years back, I was just like you—browsing across articles and journals to find which plants are best. If you are here for that, you are in the right place because I am here to lighten that extra job for you! In…
When I started my hydroponic journey, I explored using biodegradable containers instead of the usual plastic-based net pots. It was interesting, I am telling you. But, did it work better? This is the question that I will be answering today. In general, biodegradable containers are more suitable to use during early plant stages. They are…
Using food-safe plastic buckets for hydroponic gardening is an important aspect to be considered. If you will ask me, my priority as a hydroponic gardener is the safety of the veggies and herbs I am growing. Nobody wants to get toxins from food, right? That is why choosing the right plastic is essential. Generally, using…
Having the best pH for hydroponics keeps every plant in its best growing conditions. Along my hydroponic journey, I realized that even with the right temperature, lighting, and nutrients, my veggies and herbs still suffered if my hydroponic pH level isn’t optimum. The ideal pH for hydroponics is 6.0, but 5.5 to 6.8 is still…
Although deep water culture (DWC) could be the easiest hydroponic system to use, some still fail to achieve a good harvest. Believe me, my first trials on deep water culture were also epic fails! But I have discovered several secrets that led me to successfully grow veggies and herbs up to this day. Here are…
In a system like deep water culture, where roots are placed in water for a long time, maintaining a healthy temperature is vital. In fact, aside from the hydroponic system itself, a thermometer is one of my first investments in gardening, and here’s why. Generally, plants can tolerate 65 to 80°F nutrient solution temperature in…
Several gardeners, including me, can attest that deep water culture (DWC) hydroponics is one of the easiest hydroponic systems best for beginners. One of the first questions I asked was: how does DWC work? You know what? I am glad I invested time and effort to actually learn how. Deep water culture (DWC) hydroponics makes…
As a hydroponic gardener, my main job is to make sure that I am providing my veggies and herbs with the best nutrients. Two years back, I was faced with this question: Do hydroponic nutrients expire? Speaking through experience, I am confident that I can absolutely answer this question now. Generally, hydroponic nutrients—dry or liquid—do…
Does your hydroponics air pump prevent you from having a good night’s sleep? I’ve been there! I have considered turning it off, but that is not an option as it will reduce the oxygen supply potentially leading to root rot. Through the years, I’ve discovered the secrets to making the pump quieter again! Hydroponic air…
I have always been curious about water-based planting systems. It was not too long until I heard of aquaponics and hydroponics. I used them both so I can tell you what the differences are to avoid you browsing through the web, across articles and journals. On small hobbyists and domestic scale, hydroponics is a better…