Micro Hydroponics!! (Grow Greens All Winter!)

[@ToyzintheatticBombnation]

Thank you for this video. I used all your ingredients and my 8 jars of lettuce are all coming out great. Can't wait for them to get to the stage of yours. Now decided to start 12 more jars. So easy and inexpensive. :)

[@frugalgreengirl]

Diane Graves Yay! Im so glad to hear how well it is working for you!

[@JebGardener]

Hey that's cool using a quart jar for it. I've done it in a plastic milk jug (covered in foil), but now I use storage totes to make better use of the space. Always nice to see someone using the Kratky method successfully.

[@bagonzol417]

+Jeb Gardener Are they food grade? I see a lot of vids using these, but I am very skeptical. I upcycle coffee jugs from offices. No need to wrap or paint the items.

[@JebGardener]

+bagonzol the storage totes are not rated "food grade", but if they are hdp or polypropylene I think they are safe enough. Plastic coffee canisters would work well. I drink yuban and the cardboard has a hard time keeping the water in.

[@Hayden734]

I got some food grade 5 gallon buckets from Walmart actually in the paint section, they were a little ways down from the regular five gallon buckets and only maybe $0.20 more then the non-food grade. I'd rather patronize Farm & Fleet or someone else but I was just glad to find food grade

[@Hayden734]

P.s. AHOY JEB! Nice to see you out here in the comments. Dig your vids too!

[@lindakean7392]

@@Hayden734 Walmart here did not have any and no store employee could tell me where they might be (they were on their website as in the store!) I bought 6 FG buckets on amazon for 60 bucks! SO expensive,,,,,,geez

[@sandrak7587]

omg......this morning I searched and searched for this video.....I knew I had saved it to one of my Playlist but could not find it.........thank you soooooooooo much for reposting it!!!!!I want to give this a go....wow, why do people complain.... I absolutely love your video's, I took your natural concoction with elderberry and other suggestions to prevent winter cold and so far so good this year.....no colds, flu or nothing....your the best. Thanks for all you do!!!! ❤

[@frugalgreengirl]

It's great to hear you have been able to stay healthy! That's great. Sorry for that inconvenience with the video, its only happen to me a couple times and it always stinks. :/

[@tanyabishop30]

You have done a wonderful job of explaining what is needed and the process. You have so much knowledge and very well spoken. I have never used any of the fertilizers because they are added chemicals. I felt that the natural solutions that I made from plant- based things that I was eating is the best. I use a simple composting unit that is closed tight and allows the juices to come out from the spout at the bottom. I then add a cap of juice to the water, or add juice to water to feed any plants you may be growing in soil.

[@ahamoment9418]

Spent the day going through hydroponic videos and this was the very first one that answered all my questions thank you so much! great job! & keep growing!

[@drew4021]

love the simplicity of your design. I too grow hydroponically but on a larger scale with more complicated setups -but with this -its super convenient for a window or anywhere else that gets adequate light. Also it's definitely worth spending the little extra for quality nutrients because plants need a much wider spectrum of nutrients than the usual NPK found in common fertilizers meant for soil grown plants

[@peacefulinspirations7312]

this is the best and simplest hydroponic lettuce growing video on youtube. I have been looking for days and as you said some are so complicated. you either have to have special tools or special materials. Thank you so much. I am growing lettucs outdoors now, but may still try the jar method indoors.

[@nardamock]

I'm 64 years old and have been growing lettuce here in Indiana in quart mason jars the past few winters. I wish I had seen this video earlier. You may have helped me to simplify growing lettuce hydroponically indoors. I don't like mixing up the nutrient solution. Using a gram scale make me feel like I am mixing up a batch of illegal drugs. I use amber mason jars that don't need to be covered. I am going to try using quarter teaspoon of the Masterblend powder I have the next time I plant a jar of lettuce and see how well it works I don't germinate my lettuce seeds in a separate place. I suggest putting a 1/4 t. of Masterblend powder into the jar and mix in water until the jar is half full, drop the rockwool cubes into the solution in the jar until they are saturated. Remove the saturated rockwool cubes by stabbing them with a steak knife. Put a net cup on the jar and add more water until it covers the bottom of the net cup. Put the saturated rockwool cubes into the net cup and add your lettuce seeds. I put a clear 16 oz. Solo cup inverted on top of the jar to act as a humidity dome until roots appear underneath the net cup. I've been using 1.5 inch rockwool cubes and clay pebbles with 1 plant per jar but, I like your idea of using the 4 one inch rockwool cubes (4 plants per jar) and no clay pebbles better. I hope you are still growing lettuce and other vegetables using the Kratky method .

[@donfletcher8853]

Very straight forward. A really good job. Only suggestion I might have is to use tin foil to wrap the jars. It's more opaque, forms to the jar so tape is rarely needed and it's reusable. I thoroughly enjoyed the video and have subscribed to see more.

[@lorrainedesmarais8952]

Thanks for your suggestion about using tin foil to wrap the jar as it can easily be removed and put back on without dealing with sticky tape. Clever idea!

[@felipecruz6044]

I think another added benefit of using foil is that it reflects away some of that heat that would otherwise help drain you water/nutes!

[@Aethelvlad]

@@felipecruz6044 and reflects some of the light back up into under the canopy, all around a good choice actually

[@orphasolis2342]

Watched a lot of hydropnic videos, your video is the BEST. There is nothing worse then people who are making videos and get no where, they do to much talking and are boring while the video is advancing and the are obvious that time is running out. I have no patience with people like that. I am subscribing to your chann to see what else I can learn from you. Lol thank you.

[@taniaohman9030]

Someone may have said this already but I think the miracle grow was, yes, made to become liquid but I think it also was made to be absorbed through the leaves of the plant. I remember learning along time ago about it being better for plants to water at the roots instead of standing there with the hand sprayer. So I used it at the roots and it wasn't working so hard. I looked more into it finding that it was made to be absorbed through the leaves of the plant. I ended up buying a bottle sprayer for my hose to mix it in and got up earlier to water my flowerbeds in that manner. I just wanted my leaves to be dry before the sun hit the plants. I remember it working out really well and my flowerbeds just for me looked great. I wasn't a landscaper or anything success to me was just that the plant survived and looked healthy.

[@chausd2972]

I've been watching so many videos on hydroponic method and yours is so far the best. Thank you for make it simple and thorough.

[@gusy629]

No stress. No mess. Great Video. Chers

[@walkjway]

Wow! What a great idea. I love canning jars. They are so re-usable and no toxins to leach into the food. Thank you for all the good information.

[@atomicow69]

Your Video Was Amazing!!!! You have no idea how happy i am to learn from you. I have been soil planting, and i am really interested in hydroponic. Thank you

[@judichristopher4604]

Excellent Video... I'm game for this now, since I use my Vitamix and do GREEN Juicing all the time... Thank you for sharing this video.

[@lorrainedesmarais8952]

Thanks for this video. I've already viewed a couple of others (on hydroponic growing) but your method is the one I will use. Everything you show and explain is all one needs to get started and I will as soon as I receive the necessary starter material from Amazon. :) Your grown lettuce is so beautiful! Thanks again...thumbs up and Happy New Year!

[@TarrinLupo]

Great video I want to try it. Unfortunately they don't sell the solution you recommend on Amazon anymore, Any ideas what to use that is not made out of fish or animals.

[@AYWalton]

Wonderful video. Can you do an update and show what this winter's lettuce looks like. I just discovered your video, and the nutrient solution is no longer available. What kind are you using this year? I am pulling out my mason jars, and am anxious to get started! Thanks again for such an informative video.

[@LoriLeeSurfCityTemptations]

Wow i really loved this video. You are great explaining how to do this. iI libe in a tiny studio but I have a huge window with plenty of sun in Ca. I have watched a lot of videos on growing herbs and veggies online but more interested in lettice and herbs so this was a perfect video. Thank You . lov

[@hollyb1]

Excellent video. In a video discussing nutrients "Old Planty" mentioned that organic nutrients need bacteria to process the nutrients to allow the plants to absorb them. So they work great in your soil gardens where the bacteria are naturally but not so well in a closed hydroponic system. I think you could set up a bio-reactor for that but are then moving into basically aquaponics instead of a simple Non-circulating/Kratky system.

[@BangTango]

I just shared your video, I find it good and it shows that you can grow in a smaller size than me. I am trying to spread the magic of hydroponics so thanks for the video :D

[@frugalgreengirl]

Thanks for the share and the support, Glad you found the video helpful!

[@solomike68]

Found you through Radical Gardener's channel. This is brilliant! Been looking at those plastic tubs the Health Ranger is selling and all I could think of was chemical s leaching!

[@TheWingnut58]

The Miracle Grow you describe is, as you stated, blended for soil based crops....they do also make a version specifically for their "AeroGarden" system which is blended for hydro/mist type systems like the Kratky system you're using. Very nice "off the shelf" system that you have there....most anyone should be able to easily utilize it....

[@cissyfoster3417]

I shared this with my friends and family, it is great info, especially during the winter!...Love my greens!!

[@frugalgreengirl]

Cool, thanks! Especially since prices seem to go up this time of year

[@joerumaker987]

Excellent job! Thank you for all of the great information! I have five jars with the first true leaves.

[@DonnaCouture]

Awesome idea ... I have plenty of mason jars and this is a very cost effective way to grow lettuce indoors. Thank you for posting this video!

[@alexs.2054]

I have been watching hydroponic videos for months and this one has been the best one so far! Easy to understand (first time hydroponic grower) and not difficult to begin. I do have two questions though. 1. I have some extra LED lights I have lying around from some fish tanks I had, would it be ideal to use those? Any thoughts on that would be awesome. 2. I noticed that the link to the nutrient solution does not work, is there any other option that I could use that would yield the same results? Thank you so much!

[@poppyseeds1844]

TYVM!You're way of doing this--complete with list--is so great for a beginner. You're a super teacher.

[@karenredding9439]

Great, this is exactly what I was looking for. I love my salad. I still have my out door fall garden, but I needed to know how to grow my lettuce all year long. 5*

[@lagurriss8351]

awesome video, very thorough . I feel more confident in putting together my hydro-garden now that I understand a whole lot more about it 👍thank u!

[@howardcase4420]

Awesome video! I saved the list of things to my wish list on Amazon. I totally want to try this out. My wife and I LOVE fresh veggies in the Winter, so we will try tomatoes and lettuce. Thank you so much for this video!!! Keep them coming!!

[@miamisweets]

This is great, and you're a great teacher! subbed, can't wait to watch more of your videos :)!

[@frugalgreengirl]

Thanks! And welcome new friend!

[@edgarsmittenheighnjenkson9226]

Nice vid. I've always wanted to try aeroponics, It's the same thing except the nutriant solution Is sprayed on to the roots of the plant.

[@vinam672]

You know every video of yours is something different and helpful you are so wonderful great work 👍🏽

[@MrChip123472]

Really good design you came up with.. and rockwool rocks! :)

[@ThePhalcon2600]

Awsome! No cutting or fitting! Great method im going to try it!!!! Thanks for shareing this!

[@markharding6582]

I have been using the smaller net cups for lettuce but I wanted to use a 3" cup for kohlrabi. I was waiting for you to drop that three inch cup into that mason jar and when it fit I thought "yeah, that's it!!" Thanks

[@staceyfearnleykevitch7015]

Love it!! Thanks for the info. You are super cute and can explain things perfectly. I am going to try it.

[@mimcar2010]

You did a great job explaining it, thanks.

[@ArthurHau]

I grow my own microgreen seeds for the winter: lettuce, sunflower, Garland daisy, daikon, mustard, ... I use hand crushed sun dried half composted tree leaves as the growing medium. 100% success and zero cost. 1 muscle rack can produce enough microgreens for a family of 4 for the entire winter.

[@beverlypous9603]

Thanks for the great video! Could you please do an update on the lettuce and how they are doing? Are there other vegetables that can grow hydroponically? Also, the green paper covered canning jars looked like they were small mouthed canning jars, what size net pots were used and would it be better?

[@stevend.harrington5017]

I really like your Micro Hydroponic Idea...

[@lowlylisalisa]

this was the BEST! you have covered all the bases and i thank you for your research and for sharing :)

[@giacomoferragamo4725]

Excellent presentation. Very articulate and objective. Thank you for sharing.

[@shaneomack5018]

great vid as always....I used rockwool for years and switched this year to the peat moss rapid grow plug and oh my...huge difference in the growing...like days faster in the germination and seedling growth...and the biggest plus is you can use them again and again...so more saving in the long run and less rockwool cubes in the trash later on....plus miracle row is owned by Monsanto so no no no

[@swannercheryl]

Could you please tell me what kind of peat moss plugs you use? If it's a specific from Amazon that would be great thanks for the info!

[@epell1493]

Im doing this method without the rockwool. just a jar painted black then white to not absorb sunlight to quickly. cardboard top and a potter. ill probly have to replace the cardboard with rockwool soon. Just made my first one today Thank you for the wonderful explanations

[@gregboshell4532]

Liked your video I have 5 lettuce plants growing in a tote and I am using masterblend. But I am going to try and see if I can do some collards and see how they do

[@sjs9354]

I would like to have had a little information on harvesting. Do you harvest young leaves and allow the plant to continue to grow. Does the water remain usable after the plant is full grown. Or, do you pull the whole plant out to use as a bunch of lettuce at the grocery store and then empty the jars and start over.

[@leeanncornell8305]

Children would enjoy this.

[@aprilhocut8742]

Thank You for the video...I was looking for something inexpensive to try and grow lettuce inside during winter here in New England.

[@99thmonkeyresonance66]

I used a foam puzzle piece and cut it into small circles with a line cut 1/2 the radius (those who dont know٫ itll be 1/2 the dist between the 2 opposite sides of the circle.) Then stick the 2 opposite 'leaves' of the circle٫bc there'll be a split٫ and it sits in it GREAT! I KNOW many of ya'll homesteaders ARE mommas with kiddos٫ just PLEASE٫ PLEASE٫ ensure there is NO PAINT٫ STICKED٫ ETC on your puzzle piece. Once your plant does get too big and stalk begins to lean or bend٫ POOL NOODLES٫ cut a slit down the center of one side٫ bend it open BEFORE you try putting your plant in٫ like bending the binding of a brand new book. voilà ! You're welcome!

[@-Rickster-]

Check out hoocho’s hydro channel. He uses floor matting cut into circles and then etched to make a ‘puck’ if you start your seeds like a microgreen you can then put it in a slot in the puck which can be reused over and over. It will also block a lot of the light coming in front he top. Mike Van Durzee uses pool noodles high can be cut to do something similar

[@joel6221]

This was quite amazing. Thank you.

[@badgamerkat]

Wow, thank you so much! I've been wanting to try hydroponics but I didn't want to have to drill holes into plastic lids; lol. This is perfect! Did you use special lights for your lettuce or a windowsill? I want to grow lettuce because there have been so many Ecoli scares with store bought lettuce and I live in Canada with a short growing season and this is perfect for winter growing.

[@Agamimg360]

So let me throw you an alternative that works as well and costs even less. Go to Walmart's Fabric department buy soft foam like is used to pad furniture. It comes in a package with 3 one 1" thick panels that measure 1" by 14"' by 14" each take them home and mark them off into 1" by 1" grids. cut these up. you will have 588 1" by 1" by 1" cubes. Now take each cube and cut it from top to bottom from one corner into the center . What you will get is a Pac Man3 Now when you want to plant cut a 1" round hole into the tops of the jars or other lid material, put either your seeds or your seedlings into these with the slit running top to bottom. pinch them just enough to both hold the seeds or seedlings in place as well as allow you to force the cube into the round holes and when the cube is in half way release it and it should lock the cube and plant in place and as it grows it will be plenty of support for the plants. Be sure to not mix plants as some plants grow faster than others and will either use all the nutrients or over shadow and cause the littler ones to be stunted. we did these up in our greenhouse with tubs made out of 55 gallon barrels spit in half to form troughs that we then covered with sheets of wood again so as to keep light from causing algae growth.

[@tjpm1308]

Been doing this for years, I use the tomato blend for everything myself.

[@lindakean7392]

could I use my masterblend?

[@illuminatieye335]

Thank you for the video! Very informative! I love your creativity, keep up the good work!

[@livingoverseas5122]

Hi, Thank you for sharing! Do you have pest issue with this method?

[@tomtutt8458]

Great video. Keeping it simple works.

[@Isabellegozcu]

2 years later, do you have an update? Are you still using it? I see no other videos for hydroponics on your channel, did you ever tried other veggies or fruits? If not, why? I ordered the cubes and pots on amazon, just have to wait now! Great video :-)

[@JC-jh4fi]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and techniques. Keep up the good work.

[@MrBobWareham]

What a good video well done the plants look very good and easy to do thank you in England this should work well in my window just tried your link for the solution and its not working do you have a name, please?

[@urbanbackyardfarmer9159]

Great presentation

[@francisgill1929]

hi, love your video, you made it simple, questions, this is for lettuce, what about other vegetables, kale, spinach, swiss chard, etc etc = = herbs ==thyme rosemary etc, thank you

[@sueb.9881]

I love this idea and am looking forward to trying it out. Are there other types of vegetables or herbs that can be grown this way? I noticed the fertilizer was for lettuce. Is there another type of fertilizer that should be used for other plants and herbs?

[@danaslaughter6867]

Thank you for this video!! great tips and information. I a looking for a lettuce hydroponic nutrient solution but would like to know what you used!

[@timenchanter683]

Great job experimenting and finding a good yet very simple solution! Do you do complete water changes periodically? How do you handle adding more nutrients? Thanks!

[@clamk77]

I love this idea. Question: in the video you say that the system is only in contact with plastic for a short time. Aren’t the seed baskets plastic and aren’t they in constant contact with the roots?

[@albertolorusso]

Hey! Great video!!! Any tips of the type of lights which you would use for indoor growing in countries where there is severe lack of sun-lihgt? Thanks! AL

[@richlaue]

Your cheapest is to use lights packed as daylight, not cool.

[@cinnybuggable]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! I believe even I can do this!! Thank-you ! Off to get my RockWool, Net pots, & Fertilizer

[@SapioiT]

Have you tried to tweak the concentrations? I mean, those who didn't grow as much might have not grown that fast due to the low concentration of nutrients in the water (I almost said soil), so increasing the dosage of nutrients in the same quantity of water might actually solve that problem.

[@richlaue]

Generally it off better to go less than more on nutrients. What can make a difference is the pH and that can be easily checked with litmus paper.

[@todd-makes-videos]

Thank you. Question. How big were your sprouts when you move them to the jar? Mine already sprouted in 2 days.

[@yiquanawalkb4run26]

Thank you, this is wonderful knowledge that you have freely shared

[@shytrecejohnson8274]

Many questions in the comments asking what fertilizer she is using since SHE NEVER SAYS and the amazon links are broken. After scrolling through all the comments and reading her responses where she STILL NEVER SAYS, I believe she is using Masterblend 4-18-38 alone without the often sold together calcium nitrate and epsom salt.

[@jacktorrance7639]

thanks for sharing. can't wait to start.

[@marktaylorp]

Hi nice video.. one thing though... what about light for plants do u just use a window sill or fo you use lighting and what type thanks

[@lizardlady4324]

Love your videos. I want to try this. Do you harvest a few leaves at a time and then have regrowth, like I do in my garden, or do you harvest the whole plant at once? How long until you have leaves the size of yours? Is the growth rate similar to lettuce in an outdoor garden? Thanks for all your great vids!

[@frugalgreengirl]

Hi there, god questions! Yes I harvest the outer leaves and allow the plant to regenerate after that. I can usually do this 2-4 times before they bolt. Plants grow slower inside with less sunlight so lettuce that would usually take 4-5 weeks will take more like 7. I planted the lettuces shown in the video on (or around) the 14th of November and recorded the video Jan. 5th.

[@thompsonann]

Love this video !! This is something I can do !! My house is dry in the winter. If my jar dehydrates and I add more water, should I add more nutrients also ? Also, is city water ok or should I use something else? Thanks in advance for your input :)

[@frugalgreengirl]

I don't think the nutrients can evaporate so if the water level gets low it will just become more concentrated. You could just add a bit more regular tap water, that's what I use and it works fine. Thanks!

[@VintageLilacMemories]

So you have 4 plants or just 1 in each jar? Also, how much sun do they need, I do not have southfacing windows, will this matter? Thx

[@dominocus1]

Thank you for your inspiration. I'm going to give this a try. My question is about the number of plants per jar. Four seems a bit too many. I imagine it depends on the type. Romaine would be too crowded. Leaf lettuce would be better. Seeing as I have never tried this method, what did you use? What do you think? Thumbs and sub. Peace.

[@helpfulnatural]

3 questions: Are the plastic baskets reusable? And, how do you know when to change the water in the jars, if ever? Does it never need changing if the jar is covered to prevent algae growth?

[@popstone116]

You can also use tin foil to cover your jars.

[@Mekhanic1]

I love your channel. keep up the good work! 🌶🍅✌🏼

[@joyvanderaa2]

I don't recall you saying what brand nutrients you prefer? Will this solution also work for growing spinach?

[@timzebo]

Wow! Terrific video! Thank you!!!

[@lindakean7392]

Do you actually keep all 4 rockwool cubes in the net? It looks like you have a full single head in your mason jars??

[@Mmbohn1]

I have a question no one seems to address. What do you do with the plant when you harvest the plant? Do you throw the plant away? Can you reuse the rock wool? Do you have plants that are seedlings ready to go? Can you pick the plant and does it regrow? All these things I am interested in knowing... thank you for your nice presentation! I subscribed.

[@PMcC44]

I am guessing you could cut back all of the roots and leave a short bit of the below the net pot. Change your water add new nutrients and grow the same plant again. This is what you would do with a soil grown plant.

[@harleyroadangel]

I know this is way after you posted the question, but......leaf type lettuces, are cut and grow again. Head lettuces are not. I grow swiss chard, as my fav. cut and grow again salad green. Rainbow swiss chard will give you a variety of colors. Try 2 seeds per cube of different kinds in a jar and see what happens......like leaf lettuce, arugula,mustard green, swiss chard.

[@nardamock]

@@harleyroadangel I never thought of growing swiss chard indoors before. I love the bright colors.

[@mikgol81]

Great video and explanation, thank you

[@lorigordon9264]

Hi, thanks for taking your time to show us the hydro method, awesome. You had said 1/4 tsp of solution per quart jar, correct? Is that a 1/4 tsp of A and B? Or a combination of A & B at 1/4 tsp? Sorry for being stupid here, but I ordered on Amazon the items you suggested and it came in two bags one marked A the other B it said to mix by the 5 gallon bucket method. I re-watched your video and if I understand correctly I can use a 1/4 tsp of the solution per quart of water.

[@frugalgreengirl]

I hope the nutrient solution didn't change their packaging :/ the one in the description box came in one package for me. The recipe was to add 1/4 t. Of the dry mix, not a premade mixture. It you wanted to mix a big batch you could according to the directions, then add that mixture to the jars until full instead of water. Or if you wanted to do it the per jar method you would probably just add 1/8 t. Of each bag to each jar and then fill with water. Hope that helps!

[@shytrecejohnson8274]

@@frugalgreengirl whats the name of the nutrient you are using??? you never say and the amazon link is broken.

[@lindakean7392]

Could you please shed some light on the ratios of nutrients depending upon the size of container? It seems the ratios change every video! I am using mason jars for my lettuce and transferred my tomatos from mason jars to 5 gall buckets. It is so confusing to me! thank you

[@roopaiyer4179]

Very useful information.Can Iuse PET(No:1) bottle for growing veggies.

[@Amoreena51]

You put 4 rockwool cubes/lettuce starts in each jar; I wonder if you let all 4 plants grow or did you --at some point-- thin them out to 1 per jar?

[@Azia651]

Thank you, I will have to try this out, need to get those rockwool and net, can we do this for cherry tomatoes?

[@vinesha5182]

How long did it take for the plant to grow (from the time you planted the seeds)?

[@MrTheReissCorp]

Excelent information 👍

[@stevegbeck2792]

The link to Nutrient Solution Powder is not working. Can you post a new link. Is that all that I need to put into the water? Thanks?

[@ravindarbasi6286]

How many seeds do you put into the 4 cube Rockwool for 1 jar? thank you

[@dougd6871]

That was cool i think i my have to give this a try thanks you.

[@xvx4848]

I keep having problems with root rot when I do this method. I've checked my PH and it's fine, I use Maxigro as well so it's not the nutrients. The only thing is I'm using white plastic growing containers but the plastic isn't see through or anything. I thought maybe it was bacteria and so I added a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide but it didn't really help. Any advice would be awesome!