How To Set Up A Kratky Hydroponics System To Grow Vegetables

#kratky #urbangardening #gardening #hydroponics
In this video, I will teach you how to make a Kratky hydroponics system using either a storage bin or bucket to grow vegetables. It's a great way to save money on potting soil and you don't have to water it ever!
I did forget to mention, once you get your plants in a cup, to cover the top with clay pebbles to prevent moisture from escaping.
Below are the products I use. I am not sponsored and I'm sure you can probably find better or cheaper, but it is what I use in my garden.
Clay Pebbles: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Envy 2 Part Liquid Fertilizer: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
Fox Farms Tiger Bloom: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
General Hydroponics FloraGro:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Rock Wool:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
3 Inch Net Cups:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
3 Inch Drill Bit:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

[@jackieruprecht3588]

Any Red Sox fan, is a friend of mine. I'm now a subscriber

[@naomiaki2962]

Mahalo Misty very informative plus you made it simple

[@DeadeyeJoe37]

I'm going to start experimenting with this. You should do a follow up video on mixing the nutrient solutions for starting the plants and how to refill the bucket with water and when to add more nutrient solutions

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

It's pretty easy to fill the bucket and are different measurements due to each brands directions. But usually a tablespoon or teaspoon for each gallon. Just follow the directions on whatever brand you buy. When it gets low I just add 1 gallon and 1 spoon of nutrients to it. If you're not sure just use a well rinsed milk gallon milk jug to make sure when you refill it is a gallon. I don't let it get too low.

[@tomstewart7625]

Aloha from Tom and Sue We live on the "Big Island" outside of Pahoa. Just found your channel and you have introduced us to the "Kratky System" of growing plants. Our Homestead is 1/5th of an acre (8060 square feet) and our tiny house is 600 square ft. right in the middle. So the "kratky" system will allow us to grow much more here. When we first moved here (3 years ago), The lot was covered with red cinders. So, we had to bring in soil and build raised beds, to grow as much food as we can. The only soil we will need, will be for Trees! We have 12 assorted fruit trees now, mostly Papaya Mahalo for the information, We will be following you. A hui hou Tom and Sue

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Mahalo Tom and Sue for commenting and watching! Your Homestead sounds wonderful and I wish I had more land like you to plant more things. I will be editing a video soon as it takes a while to grow things. Mahalo!

[@hm3954]

Mahalo, Misty! Thx for making this easy DIY Kratky hydroponics video (of course we could've researched this ourselves, but I for 1 am lazy now 🤣 & appreciate your tutorial; plus we can learn from your having actually done it). Can't wait till my vacation to try this out. Happy Mother's Day.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Let me know how it goes! Thank you for the Mother's Day wishes. ❤️

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

I'm just thinking I'd be happy if I could do leafy stuff in Kratky. You're really next level with these fruit bearing veggies. Very nice. Btw, I someone showed me how you can use that foam, interlocking squares (2'x2') from Costco to drill collars so you don't even have to buy those.

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

Aloha Misty. What an interesting vlog filled with so much info, look forward to more vlogs to watch.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks so much Paula!

[@Feloa19]

Great segment! I am eager to learn and this was great 101 gardening for me,Mindy! Wii be home soon and now I know what I’ll be doing in our yard! You’re a great instructor! Mahalo Mindy! …more! Love your garden!

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thank you! I will do one more with a bucket with how to measure and what other nutrients to put inside that can be found around the house. I'll also do another video later on self watering buckets that have dirt if you insist on planting with potting soil. You don't need a circular saw drill bit. You can trace the circle of the net cup with a marker and cut with a steak knife. The lid is flimsy in the middle. Just be careful of your fingers and wear garden gloves to be safe.

[@truthlove1114]

I live in florida and currently growing cucumber in grow bags-which is going fabulous, however now that my plant is HUGE, I have to water almost 2-3 times a day-I moved it to only get morning sun because the afternoon heat wilts the plant(in a 20 gallon pot). So I’m considering your Meath is with the hydroponics as my cucumbers might prefer the constant water.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

It works wonderful for cucumbers. I have found they do drink lots of water so you'll have to top off the bucket every week. It only goes down 1/4 of the way but I like it full. Still beats watering everyday!

[@edwinam8252]

Aloha Misty, Thank you for your posts. I also live in Hawaii. Sice it's humid here wondered if you ever have a mosquitos problem from your hydroponic containers.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I haven't had a problem yet. Usually if you leave the lid closed tightly it shouldn't be a problem. If your area does have an infestation you can put Mosquito Dunks in the water. It is non-toxic and animal safe. It can even be put in fish ponds without killing the fish to prevent mosquito larvae. You can find those in hardware stores, pet stores near the pond section or Amazon.

[@patcharles3336]

Thank you for sharing. I am curious though, what are those pebble looking things in the cups?

[@sabbyjones2308]

Love the kratky method. I do it everywhere. My only problem is that I live in Oregon and haven t figured out how to keep the rain out so it doesnt overflow ir weaken my liquid

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

I understand about the rain. I drilled a hole at the very top of the bucket for it to not overflow, but then like you said it thins out your nutrients.

[@Shoppinghappens]

Would a clear umbrella work? Sun still gets through, but rain goes around? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

Oregon here too. Rains not such a "problem" these days.. 😥

[@Walts-Travel]

Aloha Misty!! Who knew you had such a green thumb. 👍

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Thanks Walter! Should've renamed the channel Headbangers Garden. 🤣

[@Walts-Travel]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener that's on point! And throw some #hashtags on there!! #gardening #garden #vegetables #hydroponics

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

@@Walts-Travel will do!

[@titasmom678]

So interesting. My sister has been using potting soil and this method seems so much easier to maintain. Will you be showing us how to pollinate the plants in a future episode? Thanks!!!

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Yes I have a video on pollinating soon. I'll also do another kratky to show how to mix the stuff and another with self watering buckets for those that insist on soil. 🤙

[@titasmom678]

@@HawaiiUrbanGardener Thanks, Misty!

[@heyyou4023]

Do I need to use black or white pots? How many Anuenue lettuce plants per 5 gallon bucket or another dimension of storage bin? Instead of rock wool, could I used coconut fibers from the husk? There's a coconut stand two houses from me. Have you ever used macadamia nut compost? After sifting, the compost is very light weight. The mac nut parts is used for mulch. Mahalo.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

You can use whatever color net pots you want. You just should make sure your buckets are dark colored. Otherwise algae will form and attack your roots and rot your water. If you absolutely cannot find a dark colored bucket, etc. you can wrap tin foil around it to keep the sunlight out and tape it on the bucket. I don't know how many lettuces you could fit on a bucket. Probably 3? On a storage bin probably a lot. You can use coconut fibers. I use coco coir also which is coconut fibers that are finely shaved. If the fibers are left longer then it's cool. The only negative with coco coir is that the fine shavings fell through the netted pot and dirtied my water. Never used mac mulch but I'm sure it would work.

[@dreamingrightnow1174]

Also, I'm curious if tomatoes could be brought in for the winter and even produce a few tomatoes, then put out again. That's probably not an issue where you are though. Can you keep toms year round in your yard?

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

The tomatoes can be grown year round here. But where I live it rains a lot and sometimes they die of blight. But I just replant again.

[@alant.541]

I've never tried hydroponics. Sounds promising for us with a black thumb. I really like your red ginger plant. Mine is dead. I'm a plant killer.

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

It's really low maintenance. No watering, no extra fertilizing. The ginger came with the house from the original owner. I don't do anything to it and it grows well. Probably because it rains here a lot.

[@pikakerose]

yes potting soil is expensive . youre so funny ' i take a bath lol' your video is so exciting. how long do u check the water level? im going to try thanks for your video

[@HawaiiUrbanGardener]

Lol. I just take a peek every week on my day off to see if the water level is ok. Usually it stays the same. So far it's been cool weather so in summer you may have to fill it up here and there. But perfect when you're away and on vacation because you don't have to water it!

[@Shoppinghappens]

State side, Home Depot said that is a niche product so they do not carry it. Get that Amazon affiliate link set up so I can buy it and you get the commission for telling me about the products that I would not know about except for your video.