Growing food in Canada has its rewards and challenges. The routine usually involves planting early in spring for cool season crops while preparing for summer. Then comes fall cleanup to prepare again for the spring season. The rewards are that we can grow cool season crops during spring and fall. The challenge comes when winter arrives. It becomes difficult, but not impossible, to grow food. There are other alternatives to growing food besides the outdoor space. To achieve 365 days of gardening, we utilize our indoor space to grow hydroponically. There are many methods to hydroponic gardening; we mainly focus on Deep-Water Hydroponic Culture and Kratky Hydroponic Method.
Why grow hydroponically?
- No bugs to deal with.
- Grow more in less space.
- Several varieties of vegetables can grow in water and produce twice as fast.
- Use hydroponic liquid fertilizer which provides nutrients.
- Use less water; 90% more efficient.
- Climate controlled.
How is it possible?
Winter season usually means less daylight hours and below freezing cold temperatures, therefore growing indoors where you control these factors makes it all possible. Grow lights offer a great alternative to natural sunlight. It doesn’t have to be expensive either; with the technology nowadays, there are many grow lights that are inexpensive and energy-efficient such as LED grow lights.
Because the process is soil-free, nutrients aren’t available in regular water. This is where hydroponic liquid fertilizer comes in. It provides the plant the much-needed nutrients to grow and produce fruits. It can be purchased pre-made which usually comes in a 3-part mix. We make our own organically at home: liquid kelp is made by soaking kelp seaweed in water for a day up to or weeks. Worm tea is derived from worm castings which is collected from a vermicompost.
Choosing the best setup for your space
- To start a hydroponic garden, you’ll need to evaluate the space available to you to determine which methods works best.
- Is there natural lighting available? This usually means that the location receives 4-6 hours of day light. If lighting is not available, then grow lights are a must have.
- What type of plant do you want to grow? This will help you determine the best fit container. Take an 11 L (3 gal) storage bin for example. With the use or of 3” net pots, you can fit up to 12 leafy green plants.
The Deep-Water Culture:
This system involves the use of a container with a lid, a grow light, air pump, air stone, a net pot and a growing medium like clay pebbles, coconut fiber or rockwool. This method allows for growing large to smaller types of vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, herbs, and several leafy greens.
How to: Cut circular holes on top of the lid to fit 3” net pots. The net pots will then be filled with Leca clay pebbles, which holds the plant in place and aid in nutrient delivery to roots. Place the air stone to the air bubbler tubing and place in the bottom of the container. Fill the container with water and liquid fertilizer until it reaches the bottom of the net pot. The bottom of the net pot should submerge about 1–2 inches underwater. Place grow lights above. Top off with water as needed. Every 2–4 weeks, a complete water change and nutrient flush is recommended.
The Kratky Hydroponic Method:
Kratky hydroponics relies on a stagnant hydroponic solution and air space, it doesn't require pumps to circulate water and nutrients. This method is best used for quick-growing plants like leafy greens. It’s a single cycle, which means that the nutrient and water amount is calculated to last from seedling to harvest stage. As the plant grows, the water level drops, creating air space for the roots.
The materials used is like that of deep-water culture without the air pump and air stone.
We believe that these two options are great alternatives for growing indoors during our Canadian winter. The feeling to be able to harvest homegrown vegetables, while the temperature dips down to -30° is priceless.
We are Char and Marv @plantedinthegarden! We are urban gardeners from Toronto that fell in love with growing food because not only is it amazing to eat fresh homegrown food, but you also know what you put into it. Gardening never stops for us; we are always looking for solutions to continue to grow our food – no matter what season. From outdoor gardening, garage grow tent to hydroponics, year-round gardening is truly possible. Our ultimate goal is to live a self-sufficient life. We believe in simple living, loving what you do, and doing it with love! Follow Char and Marv @plantedinthegarden on Instagram.