My Indoor Garden - I grow my own leafy greens indoors - Come and learn how!!!

[w8mk]

Hello everyone,

I grow most of the leafy greens that I consume in basement. I use organic heirloom seeds and I grow everything hydroponically. I have a youtube channel that shows how to build a simple system step by step, by just using some hardware that you would find at your local hardware store. I also posted videos of my grow room.

The broccoli in this video was started on Oct 1 2010 and was harvested on December 2 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc6zBgxljSQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

I grow my own lettuce, kale, spinach, collard greens, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, basil, dill, and peppers.

To see what my grow tent looks like you can view the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyqd_AJ6HNc&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

This is a video on how to build your own system:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUN_SzLN5tg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

I save well over $4000.00 a year on growing my own food and I don't have to worry about fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides since my produce is grown indoors with organic heirloom seeds. I also pick my produce fresh so there is no nutrient decay as you see with farmed goods. Some recent studies show that by the time that produce is harvested and shipped to the stores anywhere from 40 to 80% of the nutrients will have decayed.

I hope you enjoy the youtube videos that I put together and I will try my best to answer any questions that you might have!

6814

[Revvell]

Good info. Thank you!

[Aleesha Sattva]

No need to double post... so I removed your other one.

thanks!
Aleesha
Admin

[coco]

This looks great and a money saver depending on your energy usage an initial set up.
Do you water from the tap? There is a sulphur exchange that is missed out on when plants don't receive rain water. I suppose you could use melted snow in winter? Do you mention in these vids what sort of fertilizer you use? I'll keep watching...
Anyhow, looks interesting!

[DebB]

I *love* YouTube and I really enjoyed your broccoli video and look forward to watching your other videos. I also subscribed ~ Thanks for sharing! *Ü*

[w8mk]

This looks great and a money saver depending on your energy usage an initial set up.
Do you water from the tap? There is a sulphur exchange that is missed out on when plants don't receive rain water. I suppose you could use melted snow in winter? Do you mention in these vids what sort of fertilizer you use? I'll keep watching...
Anyhow, looks interesting!

Here is some information on costs:

*It costs 7 cents a day, $2.20 per month or 26.40 to run one 90watt LED light at 16 hours a day.

*One light will grow 20 heads of greens over 4 to 6 weeks. This includes kale, chard, and leaf lettuce. Bib lettuce or heads of lettuce can take 6-8 weeks.

*If you grew the 4-week cycle, 20 heads of greens would cost you $2.20 in electricity, $3.00 for rock wool, and 24 cents in nutrients. Total cost: 5.44 for 20 heads of leaf lettuce or kale.

*In the store, organic kale would cost about 3.00/head. 20 heads = $60.00. Money saved: 54.56 a month or 654.72 a year. This is just off one system and one light!

For what I grow, I figure I save well over 4000.00 a year.

This is based off what kale is being sold for in Calgary Canada, and for what our current electricity costs.

[coco]

Here is some information on costs:

*It costs 7 cents a day, $2.20 per month or 26.40 to run one 90watt LED light at 16 hours a day.

*One light will grow 20 heads of greens over 4 to 6 weeks. This includes kale, chard, and leaf lettuce. Bib lettuce or heads of lettuce can take 6-8 weeks.

*If you grew the 4-week cycle, 20 heads of greens would cost you $2.20 in electricity, $3.00 for rock wool, and 24 cents in nutrients. Total cost: 5.44 for 20 heads of leaf lettuce or kale.

*In the store, organic kale would cost about 3.00/head. 20 heads = $60.00. Money saved: 54.56 a month or 654.72 a year. This is just off one system and one light!

For what I grow, I figure I save well over 4000.00 a year.

This is based off what kale is being sold for in Calgary Canada, and for what our current electricity costs.


Very groovy!
Now I just need a handy man around the house to build and set up all that stuff for me. You got a brother? ;) J/K

[kaleboy]

Great videos. Just a few questions...

Say you wanted to set up a small system like one tub with 6 pots, is it possible to stagger the growth so you dont have say 6 kale plants maturing at the same time ?

Also does the water pump and the air run 24 hours ? should they be included in costs also.

How often does the nutrient resevoir need to be replaced during say a 4 week growing period ?

Can you get away with a smaller led if running just 1 tub and can you run it for 12 hours instead of 16 ? if in natural indoor light do you need led ?


Thanks

[bananafish]

Amazing. Is there a good book or info source online on how I could get a small setup like this myself?

[w8mk]

Great videos. Just a few questions...

Say you wanted to set up a small system like one tub with 6 pots, is it possible to stagger the growth so you dont have say 6 kale plants maturing at the same time ?

Also does the water pump and the air run 24 hours ? should they be included in costs also.

How often does the nutrient resevoir need to be replaced during say a 4 week growing period ?

Can you get away with a smaller led if running just 1 tub and can you run it for 12 hours instead of 16 ? if in natural indoor light do you need led ?


Thanks

Sorry for the delayed response. I had company visiting and they kept me quite busy the last few days.

Staggering growth is the same system is not a great idea. The problem with Kale for instance, is that it will grow so tall that it will literally cover the smaller plants from receiving any light.

A solution to this could be to run an additional system and start it a week or 2 later than the first system. If you don't want 6 plants at once, you could always build a simple bucket system and just grow one at a time. I find this method to not be very efficient.

Water and air pumps:

Air pumps should be run 24/7 as they will provide the plants with rich oxygen. My air pump runs at 2.5watts. The water pumps can be set on a timer and run for 20 minutes on 1 hour off. Or you can just run them 24/7. The water pump I am using is 185/gph and it is only using 10 watts of electricity. They use so little electricity that I didn't even bother calculating out their costs.

The reservoir should be replaced about every 2 weeks. So, just twice for the 4 week growing period.

LEDs:

I would never buy under a 90watt led light. They just don't work well enough. The grow times are longer and the plants look a bit spindly and do not grow as many leaves, flowers or fruits. 90w could run a system of 20 plants or 2 systems of 12 plants very nicely. I tried a 50w light and I would never use it again.

I grew 2 cherry tomato plants with a 90 watt led light and I ended up getting 455 cherry tomatoes in 90 days and they weighed just over 11.2 lbs.

As for light times, 16 hours of light followed by 8 hours of dark is the optimal time for plant growth. If you cut it down to 12 hours, the plants will still grow, just not as fast. As for plants like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes they really need the 16 hours of light for proper flowering and fruiting.

If in a natural indoor light your plants will still grow, but it really depends on a few things. How long is direct sunlight hitting the plant? If it is less than 12 to 16 hours a day then yes you should use a led light.

[w8mk]

Amazing. Is there a good book or info source online on how I could get a small setup like this myself?

To be honest, I never bought a book and never read one. I simply read stuff online and saw a youtube video on how to build a system. I then decided to try it myself and went out and bought the parts at a local hardware store and built a very simple system. I then started trying out a few different types of builds until I came up with the one with I really liked.... I made a step by step youtube video on how to build then one that I really liked.

I will be putting up another video in the next few weeks on system maintenance. From PH balancing to nutrients and how to put your plants in the system.

I would recommend for you to build your own as you will save a lot of money. The system I built would easily cost 400.00 from hydrogro and yet I built mine for 50.00 or so.

[streetsurfer]

If you still want to grow broccoli, you might try trimming the individual leaves to about half size. Not sure how well it will work with broccoli, but it would be an interesting experiment. Then, if broccoli works like cabbage, when you trim the head, I think there may be a chance small florets will form at the branch to each leaf, if left to continue growing.
If I were to try it, I would probably trim toward the middle of the growth stage, a few leaves at a time, with some days for recovery in between, so that I was done trimming at least a couple weeks before flowering stage starts.

[kdvwest]

I would recommend for you to build your own as you will save a lot of money. The system I built would easily cost 400.00 from hydrogro and yet I built mine for 50.00 or so.



Are those the same UFOs that cost around 180$ or did you purchase a cheaper version from ebay?


You're very clever, the plants look nice. Maybe you can craft a vertical setup for the lettuce to save some space. Have you tried growing wheatgrass or barley? :dance:

I heard that rockwell has a higher pH than a plant needs, do you use any nutrients for the seedlings?

[dmb2002man]

Hello,

I am looking to build this setup and just have a question.

Will these net pots be good for this setup. These are 2"

http://www.hydrowarehouse.com/net-pots-2inch-pack-p-1370.html

thanks

[streetsurfer]

I think a 2" pot is more suited to propogating/starting cuttings. Maybe growing small herbs. I'm more of a soil man. W8mk can surely advise you better.

[kaleboy]

I grew 2 cherry tomato plants with a 90 watt led light and I ended up getting 455 cherry tomatoes in 90 days and they weighed just over 11.2 lbs.

Awesome...thanks for the reply.

[w8mk]

If you still want to grow broccoli, you might try trimming the individual leaves to about half size. Not sure how well it will work with broccoli, but it would be an interesting experiment. Then, if broccoli works like cabbage, when you trim the head, I think there may be a chance small florets will form at the branch to each leaf, if left to continue growing.
If I were to try it, I would probably trim toward the middle of the growth stage, a few leaves at a time, with some days for recovery in between, so that I was done trimming at least a couple weeks before flowering stage starts.

That is good information for a future experiment. The leaves were not wasted though, they made there way into salads and green smoothies!

[streetsurfer]

That is good information for a future experiment. The leaves were not wasted though, they made there way into salads and green smoothies!

Oh absolutely-good use for them. I see I forgot to mention it in there but part of my point was that it will allow more light for the surrounding plants so as not be such a space hog.

[w8mk]

Are those the same UFOs that cost around 180$ or did you purchase a cheaper version from ebay?


You're very clever, the plants look nice. Maybe you can craft a vertical setup for the lettuce to save some space. Have you tried growing wheatgrass or barley? :dance:

I heard that rockwell has a higher pH than a plant needs, do you use any nutrients for the seedlings?


I did buy a few lights on Ebay and I got burned. I learned the hard way that there are many, many manufactures that make LED lights in China. The LEDs currently being made range from something like 10 lumens all the way up to 240 lumens per watt. The ones I bought did not grow anything worth a darn. Live and learn I guess. I had much better luck at a local hydroponics store in the city I live and in my videos, that is all I am currently using. They cost me 199.00/light through them. The ones i bought on Ebay cost about 170 or 180 with shipping. Where ever you end up buying yours, just find a source who has been rated well and you will be fine. The Ebay stuff is very questionable in my opinion and experience.

I have set up a vertical aquaponics system in my wife's classroom. My only complaint with vertical units is that plants near the bottom suffer from a lack of light.

I do grow wheat grass and I juice it as well. I never did develop a liking for the taste of it, but I like the health benefits.

Rock wool will take on the ph of your water. So, for seedlings make the ph 5.5 and for most plants 6.0 to 6.8. 6.4 to 6.5 seems to get me the best results.

I will be trying a new medium in the near future called sure to grow and I will make some videos on it. It is a rockwool and hydroton replacement and I have a real nifty idea to try growing lettuce with.

As for nutrients for seedlings, I use a very, very mild solution for seedlings... about .05ml/litre of water.

[w8mk]

Hello,

I am looking to build this setup and just have a question.

Will these net pots be good for this setup. These are 2"

http://www.hydrowarehouse.com/net-pots-2inch-pack-p-1370.html

thanks

I use 3" net pots for most of the plants I grow. I find that the 2" are a bit small and they don't support the weight of a lot of plants. The 2" will be fine for herbs like dill, basil, as they grow tall and have a smaller base. For plants that have large stems and root systems like cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, I would go with a minimum of 3" pots. Even some larger heads of lettuce will benefit from the 3" as it won't be as constricted and will grow larger.

I would personally buy all 3" pots as you then can change what you are growing in the future, so it would be good for almost everything.

[w8mk]

I think a 2" pot is more suited to propogating/starting cuttings. Maybe growing small herbs. I'm more of a soil man. W8mk can surely advise you better.

Well said!

[w8mk]

Oh absolutely-good use for them. I see I forgot to mention it in there but part of my point was that it will allow more light for the surrounding plants so as not be such a space hog.

Before I try broccoli again, I have so many other things I want to try!!! Right now, I am growing 20 strawberry plants, 20 leaf lettuce, 26 kales, 20 romaine lettuce, 2 green bell pepper plants, 6 pickling cucumber plants, 6 basil plants, and 4 cherry tomatoes. I didn't have room for the cherry tomatoes at home so those are growing at work :)

In the future I would love to try some sort of shorter variety of berry bush such as the norther blue berries which grow 6 to 18" high and about 2 feet wide, corn, and a watermelon. Some of it is just a challenge to see what can be done as it is too much fun!

[streetsurfer]

Before I try broccoli again, I have so many other things I want to try!!! Right now, I am growing 20 strawberry plants, 20 leaf lettuce, 26 kales, 20 romaine lettuce, 2 green bell pepper plants, 6 pickling cucumber plants, 6 basil plants, and 4 cherry tomatoes. I didn't have room for the cherry tomatoes at home so those are growing at work :)

In the future I would love to try some sort of shorter variety of berry bush such as the norther blue berries which grow 6 to 18" high and about 2 feet wide, corn, and a watermelon. Some of it is just a challenge to see what can be done as it is too much fun!

That's so cool! I wish I had the room for that much indoors. One day maybe. I have two, two tube-four foot fixtures set up in sort of a sun room, and use a 1x2' T-5 and a 2x2 t-5 fixture in a 3x3 tent. I've done nothing to the quantity you're doing though. I did blueberries indoors under T-12 and T-8 fluorescents. I had taken a few cuttings form one plant and now have three in my garden I think. I also used my areas for early starts to stuff that gets moved to the outside garden. I propogated calicarpa americana cuttings one winter and moved them to the garden to train up until they were ready to locate where I wanted them. I also did some stevia cuttings and now have five or so plants outside (well, had. I was not there to put them to bed last fall so I don't know if they'll survive), and grew different kales, lettuces, sweet 100 cherry tomatoes, spinach, sage, rosemary, beets, some short stubby carrots, baby bear sunflowers, and maybe a handful of other things which I'm forgetting. I forget if I mentioned it before but these were all soil grown. One day I will give hydro another shot. I have to research it yet but I would love to incorporate a fish tank into a system too.

It's a wonderful hobby-very rewarding when it saves you money instead of costing you, and theres always something new to try.
Thanks for sharing. I've enjoyed your thread. And I hope you don't mind that I've posted my experience alongside yours.

[RawHorizons]

This is very cool setup,I keep eyeing a neighbors metalframe of what use to be a large shed(thinkin maybe I could give em 20 for it)No one lives there,and have been thinking since last year what a good idea it would be for a green house.
I could use this set up in side it,put up walls or film that draw and hold heat,use the reflective meterial you showed in video for inside walls.Last year I decided to try a Container garden,everything I did was in pots arranged around my porch.Idea was if I liked it and it was doable an could save money ,I would plant a real garden in the future.I absolutley loved it,getting excited thinking about growing stuff again this year.

I still really dont know what Im doing,learning though.I had some good yields on stuff.Only thing is almost all of my produce was miniture looking.
Most everyone says thats because I did them in containers,and they will only grow large in the ground.Then one person asked if I added any kinda plant food.I diddnt,did not know I should have.Our soil here is sand/clay.Sucks for growing stuff.
Question is,would I run into the same problem with this system,or is it as simple as adding plant food.I really really like this idea,something I could get my finace in on,he is super handy and we both ohh an ahh when stuff grows lol

I added you on youtube ty for info!!

[SethHall]

How much did all the stuff in your How-To video cost and if possible could you make a list of where you got it? I have a garage and a spare room and plan on trying to grow year round. With the 90W bulb do you think there would be adequate heat to still combat the cold enough to grow in the winter?

[dmb2002man]

Has anyone started there build yet. I have ordered 20 3" pots and still need to make a trip to home depot for the rest of the supplies to build the kit. Im looking on youtube on building my own light fixture as well. As i start the build, i will take pictures.

[dmb2002man]

Here's some parts i ordered so far to build my kit. Going to actually build it like in 2 weeks and will take pictures and a step by step.

3" net pots

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RUJCM4/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0026722A6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BAKDB9HF86V86DARMV9

hydroton 10 liter bag

http://www.amazon.com/Hydroton-10-Liter-Bag-2-2/dp/B000FCPDFA/ref=pd_sim_ol_1

rockwool starter kit

http://www.amazon.com/Rockwool-Starter-Plugs-Square-Stonewool/dp/B00168EO48/ref=pd_sim_ol_4

ph control kit

http://www.amazon.com/pH-Control-Kit-General-Hydroponics/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=pd_sim_ol_1

185 gph pump

http://www.amazon.com/EcoPlus-185-Submersible-Pump-GPH/dp/B0018WVNXC/ref=pd_sim_ol_18

[Bethe007]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POST. I am just researching and about to buy some herbs that I am going to grow inside my house, since I have no yard. I am highly motivated to grown my own greens and your youtube video and posts are of great help! Thank you.

[Bethe007]

What about lights for the system you built I saw on youtube? I have natural light in my house, but don't the plants need continuous light?

[PunkRotten]

Thanks man, I subscribed to you on youtube. Will check out all your vids thoroughly later.

[rpage]

I save well over $4000.00 a year on growing my own food and I don't have to worry about fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides since my produce is grown indoors with organic heirloom seeds. I also pick my produce fresh so there is no nutrient decay as you see with farmed goods. Some recent studies show that by the time that produce is harvested and shipped to the stores anywhere from 40 to 80% of the nutrients will have decayed.

I hope you enjoy the youtube videos that I put together and I will try my best to answer any questions that you might have!

6814

That broccoli is awesome! Thanks so much for posting this. I just started trying to grow indoors a bit last month. Slow going but I learned a great deal just from your videos! Thanks!

[dmb2002man]

Has anyone started there build kit and what 90 watt led are you using. Its one of the last pieces i need in order to start my growing.