Vertical gardening has become an increasingly popular way to grow fresh produce in small spaces. In this video, the speaker explores the concept of vertical gardening and hydroponic gardening as a solution to limited space and potential food shortages.
Through trial and error, the speaker builds a hydroponic system using PVC pipes and vinyl post sleeves, with the intention of growing as many vegetables as possible in a small space. While some may find this system complicated, the speaker emphasizes that it requires little space and can be done in an apartment or on a balcony. The cost breakdown and list of supplies are provided, making it accessible for anyone to try.
Key Takeaways
- Vertical gardening and hydroponic gardening can be a solution to limited space and potential food shortages.
- A hydroponic system can be built using PVC pipes and vinyl post sleeves, requiring little space and accessible for anyone to try.
- The cost breakdown and list of supplies are provided, making it easy to replicate.
The Concept of Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is a method of growing plants in a vertical space instead of traditional horizontal gardening. It is a popular technique among gardeners who want to maximize their growing space, especially in urban areas where space is limited. In this method, plants are grown in stacked layers, using a variety of materials such as PVC pipes, vinyl post sleeves, and hydroponic systems.
The advantages of vertical gardening include increased yields, reduced water usage, and better air circulation. It also allows for easier maintenance and harvesting, as plants are grown at eye level. Additionally, vertical gardening can be done indoors, making it a great option for those with limited outdoor space.
In the video, the speaker demonstrates how he builds his own vertical garden using a combination of PVC pipes, vinyl post sleeves, and hydroponic systems. He emphasizes that while hydroponic systems may require additional power and nutrient inputs, they are a great option for those who want to grow their own food in small spaces. The speaker also notes that his vertical garden can grow significantly more plants than a traditional raised garden bed, making it a great option for those who want to maximize their yields.
Hydroponic Gardening: The Solution
Hydroponic gardening is a solution to growing more vegetables in a smaller space. With the world facing food shortages, hydroponic gardening provides a way to grow food in uncertain times. This method of gardening allows for the growth of a large amount of vegetables in a very tiny space.
The advantage of hydroponic gardening is that it doesn’t take up much space, making it possible to grow vegetables in an apartment with just a balcony. However, a hydroponic system requires the addition of nutrients and power.
The process of building a hydroponic garden involves using a vinyl post sleeve as a grow tower. The vinyl post sleeve is cut down to size and used to hold the plants. PVC pipes are used to hold the plants in place and a submersible pump is used to water the plants.
Hydroponic gardening provides a way to grow a large amount of food in a small space, making it a practical solution for those looking to become self-reliant. It allows for the growth of 52 plants in just 5 square feet, which is 10 times the amount of food that can be grown in a 4×8 raised garden bed.
Building the Hydroponic System
The speaker in the video explains how to build a hydroponic system for growing vegetables in a limited space. He starts by purchasing a container with wheels and a vinyl post sleeve to use as a grow tower, which he cuts down to six feet. He then tests the tower with a pump and realizes it has enough power to do two towers.
Next, the speaker decides to use a four-inch PVC pipe, which he cuts into pieces to hold the plants in the towers. He uses a template to mark 16 inches and then every 10 inches, creating a ring to hold the plants. He glues the pieces together with waterproof glue and sets them on the container base.
The speaker notes that a hydroponic system requires adding nutrients and power, but it doesn’t take up much space, making it suitable for anyone, even in an apartment with a balcony. He advises using grow lights if doing it inside, but he does it outside, where he doesn’t require them.
The speaker and his daughter then clean off the plants and plant them in the tower. He notes that the build cost will depend on the supplies used, but he will provide a list of ingredients and their cost.
Finally, the speaker tests the system by powering it on, and it successfully waters the plants. He notes that this hydroponic system can grow up to 52 plants in just five square feet, which is ten times the amount of food in the same amount of space as a typical 4×8 raised garden bed.
Planting the Seeds
In this video, the speaker shares their experience of creating a hydroponic garden to grow vegetables vertically. They start by purchasing a container that is wider than necessary for one grow tower and decide to use a vinyl post sleeve to create two towers. After cutting the pieces that will hold the plants, the speaker realizes that they have put them on upside down and corrects the mistake. They then clean and prepare the plants before planting them in the towers.
The speaker explains that while a hydroponic system requires adding nutrients and power, it doesn’t take up much space, making it an ideal option for those living in apartments or with limited outdoor space. The cost of the materials used in the build is listed, and the speaker notes that they used PEX T fittings to hold the shower head.
After testing the pump, the speaker discovers that it is not working and tries different outlets before realizing that the outlet they were using was on a switch. Once the pump is working, the speaker notes that they will be able to grow 52 plants in just five square feet, which is five times the amount of food in half the space of a typical 4×8 raised garden bed.
The video ends with the speaker encouraging viewers to learn to grow their own food and become self-reliant.
Cost Breakdown
The cost breakdown for the hydroponic garden tower system is as follows:
- Vinyl post sleeve – $15
- Container – $20
- PVC pipe – $10
- PEX T fittings – $5
- Pump – $20
- Hose – $5
- Nutrients – $10
The total cost for all the supplies is approximately $85. It is important to note that some of the supplies, such as the hose, were already on hand from a previous project, so the cost may vary depending on what materials are already available.
Despite the initial cost, the hydroponic garden tower system has the potential to produce a significant amount of food in a very small space. With the ability to grow 52 plants in just five square feet, this system has the potential to provide a substantial amount of fresh produce for a family.
While a traditional 4×8 raised garden bed can only grow 32 plants due to its 32 square feet of space, the hydroponic garden tower system can produce up to 10 times the amount of food in the same amount of space. This makes it an attractive option for those with limited space or those looking to maximize their food production.
Final Adjustments
In this section, the speaker discusses the final adjustments made to the hydroponic system. The speaker first explains that the vinyl post sleeve was cut down to six feet and then cut in half to create two five-foot towers. The speaker then debates whether to use a second vinyl sleeve or a four-inch PVC pipe left over from a previous project. Ultimately, the speaker decides to use a two-inch PVC pipe to hold the plants in the towers.
The speaker also discusses the use of safety glasses while cutting the PVC pipe to avoid explosions. The PVC pipe was cut into pieces that were marked up at 16 inches and every 10 inches to hold the plants. The speaker used gorilla glue to attach the pieces to the tower.
The speaker also mentions that a hydroponic system requires adding nutrients and power. However, the advantage of a hydroponic system is that it does not take up much space. The speaker recommends using grow lights if the system is used indoors.
The speaker then discusses the cost of the materials used in the hydroponic system and provides a list of the supplies and their costs. The speaker used PEX T fittings on the inside to hold the shower head.
The speaker also talks about testing the pump and encountering an issue with the outlet. After troubleshooting, the speaker was able to power on the pump and successfully water the plants.
Overall, the speaker was able to grow 52 plants in a five-square-foot space, which is ten times the amount of food in the same amount of space as a typical 4×8 raised garden bed. The speaker encourages viewers to learn to grow their own food and become self-reliant.
Comparing Traditional and Hydroponic Gardening
In traditional gardening, plants are grown in soil, which provides nutrients and support for the roots. Hydroponic gardening, on the other hand, involves growing plants in a soilless environment, with the roots submerged in nutrient-rich water.
One of the main advantages of hydroponic gardening is that it allows for year-round growing, regardless of weather conditions. It also uses less water than traditional gardening, as the water is recirculated and reused. In addition, hydroponic gardening can produce higher yields in a smaller space, as plants can be grown closer together and are not competing for nutrients in the soil.
However, traditional gardening has its own advantages. Soil provides a natural environment for plants, with a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that help to break down organic matter and provide nutrients to the roots. Traditional gardening also allows for a wider variety of plants to be grown, as not all plants are suitable for hydroponic systems.
Ultimately, the choice between traditional and hydroponic gardening depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the gardener. While hydroponic gardening may be more efficient in terms of space and water usage, traditional gardening offers a more natural environment for plants and a wider variety of options.