Homesteading indoors in NJ

[HydroponicHomestead]

Hi everyone!
I mostly grow indoors, hydroponically. I have about 25 hydroponic gardens, all but 4 are Aerogarden brand. The others are less expensive knock-offs that have fewer bells and whistles but still work pretty well if you are an experienced hydroponic gardener like me.

I'm a teacher, and I've gardened with students for the past couple years. This year I've started at a school that has an established outdoor classroom and garden that is very productive and is open even in summer. Families in the district can come and harvest what they like to eat at home.

I'll be taking the Master Gardener course in my county in Jan. 2025.

I heard about this forum reading seed reviews online, so I rushed over to join the fun!

[JayneR13]

Welcome!

I also grow hydroponically although I only have one Aerogarden. I find the cheaper knockoffs work quite well actually and teach a great deal. While it's nice to have a control panel telling me when to add water, a front window also works. My 12 hole IDOO unit is growing strong 2+ years after purchase.

I'm also a Master Gardener since 2017, and I have a BS in biology that included a number of botany courses. I've been involved over the years with a few school gardens. The students always have fun and it's good to teach them about where their food comes from. I look forward to interacting with you and again, welcome!

[AKgardener]

How Awsome you both have such knowledge.i would have joined the hydroponic but I dropped mine when it was full and well besides the mess she broke haven’t gotten one again but I’ll sit back and listen for sure

[Cornelius_Gotchberg]

Welcome from America's Dairyland!

The Gotch

[pepperhead212]

Welcome to the forum, from another Jerseyite!

I grow in hydro in the off season - 2 homemade DW setups, that I grow greens and herbs in. In another month and a half or so, I have to start thinking about that.

[TX-TomatoBug]

Welcome to the Junction, @HydroponicHomestead, from Texas. Very neat that you and @JayneR13 have so much in common!

[MissS]

Wow. Good on you @HydroponicHomestead for sowing the seeds of gardening amongst your students and helping their families out in the process! This is a very worthwhile adventure and it's a never-ending learning experience. I am proud to have you at TomatoJunction. Welcome!

[Whwoz]

Welcome to the Junction from Down Under @HydroponicHomestead

[Shule]

@HydroponicHomestead
Welcome to TomatoJunction! It's great to have you and your experience.

[bower]

I also grow indoors in the winter, but in potting mix instead of hydroponics. Still there is lots to learn in common! Some crops are super easy under lights, others a bit more of a challenge. What are your favorites in hydroponics?

[HydroponicHomestead]

There are a few things that just work better with potting mix rather than hydroponics. Parisian carrots for example, are so fun to grow (for their greens as much as the root imo) but I prefer those in soil. It is possible to grow them hydroponically, though!

I love bok choy, swiss chard, lettuce and fine herbs in hydroponics. Nothing beats snipping some fresh dill off the plant for your lunch, while outdoors there's snow, hail and all sorts. I can garden in my bathrobe without horrifying the neighbors lol.

[HydroponicHomestead]

I came to the same conclusion as @JayneR13 about the cheap knockoffs. If you are the kind of person who will space out and forget to check the water level, then you're better off with the Aerogarden that will alert you with a flashing red light when your plants are at death's door. For me though, I'm in the habit of tending my gardens daily, so I can just as easily look in the clear window on the bowl.

I've synched the feeding schedule to my Bounty models Aerogardens that have the countdown timer visible, so once it says it's feeding time I add nutes to the whole crew.

Fewer bells and whistles means fewer things to break! The roots have grown into the water level indicator on some of my Harvest models before, and I didn't notice until the plants started to look wilted.

You're so well educated on plant matters; lucky us to get to pick your brains!

[Labradors]

Welcome to the forum from another hydroponic Master Gardener! I only have 4 AG units so far, but I also grow in Kratky jars. It's a great pastime for the long winters!