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Vegetable Gardening

Growing Hydroponic Lettuce

15 years ago

Is it worth growing your own hydroponic lettuce and vegetables? I currently pay a hefty price at the market for hydroponically grown cucumbers and gourmet lettuce. The other day, I came across this link http://www.futuregrowing.com/Towergarden.htm it showed how you can grow your own food hydroponically. I didn't know if it is cheaper to grow it myself, or keep buying it. Maybe in the long run it would be better being that gas prices are rising, which means food prices will only keep going up.

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denninmi
15 years ago
I don't know about hydroponic culture, seems like it would be a bit of an investment for the equipment, but I do know it does work. Hydroponcially grown lettuce "on the hoof" with roots still attached is sold here in produce markets at times.

I thought I'd share my experience with indoor lettuce culture last spring, which happened by accident. I started some lettuce on March 22nd (day before Easter) indoors in my coolish spare bedroom under growlights. Well, it was a cool spring, and I didn't get it planted out. I bumped some it up into 4" pots, and in about 4 weeks, it was full-sized. Some of it NEVER made it to the garden, went straight to the kitchen for salads. I decided that, if it worked that well, I would just grow my own salad greens indoors over the winter this year. So, I bought two four-foot metal 5 shelf units at Target, and florescent fixtures at Home Depot. For under $200, I have about 80 square feet of growing space in the basement now, and I'm planning to start the first crop of salad greens in October, so they'll be coming on in November as the outdoor greens get blasted by the freezes.

I'm going to try lettuce, spinach, mesclin mixes, some of the Asian greens, etc. Also, a few herbs, and just to experiment, I've got some 'Micro-Tom' tomatoes -- I've grown these little tiny guys outdoors before, they should do OK under lights as well. I also have some peppers potted up to bring in and see what, if anything, they might do -- it may be too cool in the basement (mid 60's) for peppers to be happy.

Dennis
SE Michigan
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Hi Frank, Here are some of my "answers" that I rely on with my year round lettuce grow down in SD,CA. Right now they are extremely vague and generalized for lettuce. A quick use of the forums search box can reveal other's recommendations. I can be more specific, but I need to know what type of growing method you are using with the buckets (ie RDWC/DWC/EnF/NFT/Drip), type of growing medium, propagation medium, and general ambient conditions. (I've dabbled in each technique mentioned, with general success.) Propagation: Normally with most systems, transplants are used. Seed propagation is possible though. Transplanting: Normally 3-10 days after development of first true leaves. (Feed 1/3-1/2 strength nutrients during the 3-10 days) Lettuce Nutrients Info: See link below. Lettuce = low feeder. Typical water soluble NPK w/relatively high N. Trace elements required. Nutrient solution check interval: Ideally, every 2-3 days. Nutrient check: pH check. (5.5-6.5) nutrient solution temperature (65-72) nutrient strength (0-1.5 mS/cm) Here is a link that might be useful: Hydroponic Lettuce Production
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