Hydroponics in a Small Package

by Anthony Reyes

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to create something that would be beneficial to families everywhere. I experimented with lots of different avenues and ideas, most of them failures, but I never gave up. Throughout my teens and college years I toyed around with law enforcement, computer repair, and business. Then I moved to Hawaii and learned about hydroponics, suddenly I discovered my passion.

Hydroponics Explained:

• No Dirt, just Nutrients – Seeds are planted in a sponge-like cube of volcanic fibers and set within a nest of porous clay pebbles. Emerging roots don’t need to struggle through tough dirt as they make their way towards a nutrient rich flow of water.
• Quick Yield – With no soil to sap essential nutrients away from the roots of your plants your plants are free to thrive, resulting in an impressive yield in less time than traditional container gardening.
• Easily Customized – There are several types of hydroponic systems, most of which are designed for growing on a large scale. Until recently there haven’t been any systems designed for people living in studio apartments or equally small spaces.

Size Matters
I knew that I wanted to create something “big”, something “revolutionary” and on a “grand scale”, yet it wasn’t until I started reading about Tiny Houses that I realized I was growing in the wrong direction. My first models worked great, but they were massive and clunky – definitely not for any apartment dwellers. So I challenged myself to see just how small I could make the system, get it down to as few moving parts as possible and still have it work to my exacting standards. Basically make it sleek, sexy, ergonomic, but easy enough for my youngest son to maintain.

What I ended up with is what I like to call “Puddle Ponics”. My growing system takes up very little space, and requires even less water. Measuring in at a whopping 10x4x4 inches, this little garden fits anywhere and requires only a small puddle of water and a weekly dose of nutrient tablets to maintain. I even took energy expenses into consideration, the growing systems we have available at Anthony’s Hydrogarden can run with or without a small air pump. The plants grow a little slower without the air pump but the yield isn’t compromised in any way.

Peace of Mind in a Small Package

I love to cook, and I want to make sure my family enjoys the freshest of foods. That’s why home gardening is so important to me. Hydroponics may be my passion, but a side benefit has been the huge amount of delicious produce we’ve grown as a result. Just by growing herbs on my kitchen counter I’ve slashed my grocery expenses considerably.

Because my system is so small, and doesn’t require electricity, it’s also totally mobile. It can be placed anywhere, indoors or out, and filled with any sort of plant you can imagine growing. One of my countertop planters can produce a yield to rival a garden measuring two square feet – that’s a lot of bang for such a simple looking box!

To learn more visit http://anthonyshydrogarden.weebly.com