Hydroponic gardening pertains to gardening that takes place in a growing medium rather than soil. This type of gardening can be done indoors or out and any time of the year. If you are trying out hydroponic gardening for the first time, it can get overwhelming to figure out what hydroponic gardening supplies you might need for various crops. However, by learning the basics of this gardening method, you can begin to collect the hydroponic gardening supplies you need for a successful gardening adventure.

Growing Medium

The first step in collecting hydroponic gardening supplies will be to choose a growing medium for your plants. These mediums come in an array of types and sizes, but many new gardeners find that the easiest way to start is with rock wool blocks which can hold seeds directly. These blocks come in different sizes, depending on the type of crops you are planting. You can begin with smaller blocks for many of your seeds and transplant them into larger blocks as the seedlings grow. Another common type of growing medium is expanded clay, which is a common choice for potted plants and is as readily available as the rock wool.

Nutrient Solution

Since the growing medium does not provide any sort of nutrient base for your plants, you will also need a nutrient solution in your hydroponic gardening supplies to keep your plants growing strong and healthy. While you can mix your own nutrient solution according to the needs of your individual crops, this method can become quite costly when you factor in the different fertilizers needed along with an accurate weight device to help you mix solutions correctly. It is easier by far to purchase a ready made solution designed for whatever type of crop you are growing. You can find nutrient solutions at any garden center that carries hydroponic gardening supplies.

Lighting

If you will doing your hydroponic vegetable gardening outdoors, the sun will supply all the light you need. However, if you will be gardening indoors, you will need to add artificial lighting to your list of hydroponic gardening supplies. There are many different types of lighting available for this purpose, but not all are going to be as good for you, your plants or your electrical bill. Choose lighting that is energy efficient first and foremost, since the lights will be on pretty much all the time. It is also important to use lighting that is comfortable to work around and that your plants will respond favorably to.

Year round gardening is easy with the right hydroponic gardening supplies to get you started. If you are interested in stretching your green thumb into hydroponics, check out the hydroponic gardening supplies at your local garden center or through online retailers.