THE HAND-WATERED BUCKET SYSTEM

Buckets that are 21/2 gallon are for herbs and 5 gallon buckets are for vegetables, vine plants, fruit shrubs and miniature fruit trees.
We have a 10’ x 10’ area that we use and have a total of sixty-four buckets.
We keep the vine plants, trees and shrubs at the outside areas.
With the various vegetables and herbs in the center.
Each bucket takes up one square foot.

NOTE: With large plants you may need to supply external support to help hold the plant upright.
We use bamboo for the trees and trellis for the vine plants.

This is an inexpensive system and probably the simplest hydroponic system to have.
We have achieved very good results with this system.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

21/2 OR 5 GALLON BUCKETS (or equivalent water tight plastic container).

GROWING MEDIUM - We use a perlite/vermiculite mix for our system, however there is a vast variety of
growing mediums that will work well.

SPHAGNUM MOSS - This helps to retain your water and nutrient solution, keeps the growing medium
from falling out.

HYDROPONIC FERTILIZER - A good quality hydroponic fertilizer is required, regular fertilizers do not
contain essential "micro-nutrients".

pH TEST KIT - You will need some way of checking and adjusting the pH of your nutrient solution.


ASSEMBLY OF SYSTEM

1. Drill a series of holes in your plastic bucket approximately 1 1/2" above the bottom of the bucket. The
number and size of the holes is not critical, usually 6 to 10 holes (3/8" or 1/2" in diameter) is enough.

NOTE: Holes smaller than 3/8" seem to plug up easily and holes larger than 1/2” may dry out the growing
medium too quickly.

2. Fill about 1/4 of the bucket with sphagnum moss over holes.

NOTE: Pre-soak the sphagnum moss before adding to bucket .

3. Fill about 3/4 of the bucket with your growing medium, leaving about 1/4 of bucket empty at the top.

NOTE: You will need to wash and pre-soak the growing medium before adding to the bucket.

4. Plant your seedling or rooted cutting in the growing medium.

NOTE: Do not start seeds in the bucket, start seeds separately and then add seedling to the bucket.


CARE AND FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS

Hand Water Version

1. Mix your nutrient solution as per the instructions on the fertilizer package. Check pH and adjust accordingly.

NOTE: The required pH value will vary depending on the requirements of the plant and the kind of growing
medium. You can use a one gallon milk jug to mix the nutrient and water, however it may be more
convenient to mix more than a gallon at a time, you can use another 5 gallon bucket (or similar plastic
container). If you mix large amounts at a time it is recommended that you aerate the surplus nutrient
solution with an aquarium type air pump and airstone to keep the solution from stagnating.
Storage container should have a loose fitting lid to keep out debris.

2. Slowly add the pH adjusted nutrient solution to the bucket until you see some excess flow out of the
overflow holes.

3. Repeat step #2 periodically as needed. This will vary due to weather conditions and the size and type of plant.

NOTE: Knowing when and how much to water requires a little trial and error.


http://www.simplyhydro.com/images/free1.gif


This system can be automated with the use of a separate reservoir, submersible nutrient pump, a short cycle
timer (one that can be set to come on for as short as a minute), an air pump & airstone as well as a little bit
of drip irrigation tubing.


CARE AND FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS

Automated Version

1. Fill the reservoir with water and mix your nutrient solution as per the instructions on the fertilizer
package. Check pH and adjust accordingly.

NOTE: The required pH value will vary depending on the requirements of the plant and the kind of growing
medium.

2. Attach the drip line to the submersible pump and put the pump into the reservoir. Plug the pump into the
timer. Set the timer and plug it into the outlet.

NOTE: You will need a short cycle timer that can be set for short periods of time. A digital timer from a
home center usually will work as they can be set to come on for as little as one minute. A good starting
point to set the timer is to come on for one minute every twelve hours.

3. Put the drip line so that the nutrient solution runs out at the base of the plant.


http://www.simplyhydro.com/images/free3.gif



Well that is all for now have fun and enjoy. :D


.

Plants in a bucket will work well but that systems seems needlessly complicated. I have been growing healthy tomato, pepper (all sorts) and various other edibles in buckets for years. Most of these things I can grow around the house or in hanging buckets with nowhere near the complicated method described.

Plants in a bucket will work well but that systems seems needlessly complicated. I have been growing healthy tomato, pepper (all sorts) and various other edibles in buckets for years. Most of these things I can grow around the house or in hanging buckets with nowhere near the complicated method described.

Funny how you say you've used a bucket system for years but you find our soil less bucket system complicated.
There are more complicated hydroponic systems like Water Culture, EBB and Flow(flood and drain),
N.F.T.(Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic.

If you use soil and regular fertilizers in your system then I can guarantee you that our crops are better.
We have tested soil and soil less systems side by side to see if there is any difference.
We found that there is a big difference in size, yield, taste etc...plus no weeds and few if any pests.
We also use less water and nutrients(fertilizer).

If the soil less system is to complicated for you just keep using the "dirt". :lulz:


.

Funny how you say you've used a bucket system for years but you find our soil less bucket system complicated.
It’s not that I don’t understand it but growing food is something I see as a survivalist situation and the less complicated the better. I am not saying your system is not good but there are easier ways for the average person and in a survivalist situation it would be difficult to maintain. It may be easy now but many simple things now become difficult when the lights go out.

If you use soil and regular fertilizers in your system then I can guarantee you that our crops are better.
I wouldn’t make that claim so fast. I use a lot of older types of vegetables that you can’t find just anywhere. A lot of them won’t grow in hydroponics systems but function well in the simpler set-ups and are not susceptible to diseases and bugs. They may not produce a higher yield but they will be guaranteed to produce. Many of the types I use were planted with the knowledge that if they didn’t produce the family starved. Newer high yield vegetables are great for the hobbyist but not for someone that needs a guarantee of production or starvation.

If the soil less system is to complicated for you just keep using the "dirt". :lulz:
I will. If the economy completely crashes I will still have fresh vegetables. Besides I don’t use just regular dirt I use a form of compost.

It is amazing how people take offence to the slightest criticism even if the material isn’t their own. Seriously because someone doesn't think your way is perfect it is not the end of the world.



.

I confess to not knowing anything about hydroponics; but it is a notion that upon reading this thread has caught my interest. For indeed, if the earth is unable to produce much for whatever reason then we had best have another means

A quick google showed me that Japan uses hydroponic method to grow certain plants; teas, the like. I have a question, what is the average cost per month of using a hydroponic system? Another question I have is most likely dumb, but what does hydroponic fertiliser consist of? All in all use of hydroponics seems like a good method to me; at least something that one should be educated about.

an "associate" of mine grew some kickass weed in his attic room a few yrs ago, with plants over 6 ft tall; and the end result was some reefer that was...two tokes then you had to lay it down cuz you were paralyzed:cool:he didn't use dirt, just trays with mesh net in them, lights, and a fish tank pump to keep water flowing:)

an "associate" of mine grew some weed in his attic room a few yrs ago, with plants over 6 ft tall; and the end result was some reefer that was...two tokes then you had to lay it down cuz you were paralyzed:cool:he didn't use dirt, just trays with mesh net in them, lights, and a fish tank pump to keep water flowing:)

I knew someone would bring up weed. A lot of people use Hydroponics for weed so they can conceal it. There was a thread on VNNF about a couple of guys that had 400 plants growing in 5 gallon buckets in a carved out cave below their home. It was carved out of solid rock and they had escape hatches and an elaborate setup.

Weed is different from vegetables, as I am sure the cost of weed per pound is much more than tomatoes and peppers. I drug dealer can afford to sink thousands of dollars into a hydroponics setup while a survival gardener will be on a budget. Growing food must be done cheaply otherwise it is pointless unless it is a hobby. Go to the local gardener and buy his product for less money. I see no reason to invest $$$ and labor in something I can get for much less.

Around here people grow weed in the fields that grow far over 10 feet high. I am no expert or even a novice in the subject but a former co-worker (now in prison) had pics he said were over 18 feet tall.

Another thing about hydroponics is that it raises a lot of red flags. Believe me, it doesn’t matter if you are just trying to get a good tomato the kwaps will be all over your operation.

Kwaps love to harass legal people because it gives the illusion that they are doing something and it is much safer than busting down the door to some drug dealer mansion.

I've seen plants that big in V.nam; they grew wild all over the place and when you got near them the odor of THC coming off of them was unbelievable. If you handled the "buds" or the plants just a little, your hands would turn black and look like you had been tarred; but mannnnn; it was good stuff, but gee, that was back in the day;):rolleyes::cool:

It’s not that I don’t understand it but growing food is something I see as a survivalist situation and the less complicated the better. I am not saying your system is not good but there are easier ways for the average person and in a survivalist situation it would be difficult to maintain. It may be easy now but many simple things now become difficult when the lights go out.


I wouldn’t make that claim so fast. I use a lot of older types of vegetables that you can’t find just anywhere. A lot of them won’t grow in hydroponics systems but function well in the simpler set-ups and are not susceptible to diseases and bugs. They may not produce a higher yield but they will be guaranteed to produce. Many of the types I use were planted with the knowledge that if they didn’t produce the family starved. Newer high yield vegetables are great for the hobbyist but not for someone that needs a guarantee of production or starvation.


I will. If the economy completely crashes I will still have fresh vegetables. Besides I don’t use just regular dirt I use a form of compost.

It is amazing how people take offence to the slightest criticism even if the material isn’t their own. Seriously because someone doesn't think your way is perfect it is not the end of the world.



.

As long as the sun doesn't go away then who needs lights. Anyway our home is set-up with wind and solar power,
if the grid goes down we'll have lights.

Anything will grow in a hydro system the only difference is the use of hydroponic fertilizer and soil less medium rather than regular fertilizers and dirt or organic compost.

Didn't take offense just don't understand how using hydroponic fertilizer and soil less medium rather than regular fertilizers and dirt or compost makes it more complicated.


.

an "associate" of mine grew some kickass weed in his attic room a few yrs ago, with plants over 6 ft tall; and the end result was some reefer that was...two tokes then you had to lay it down cuz you were paralyzed:cool:he didn't use dirt, just trays with mesh net in them, lights, and a fish tank pump to keep water flowing:)


Please let's keep the thread on topic this is not about illegal activity.


I am really starting to wonder about you Richard H.


.

I confess to not knowing anything about hydroponics; but it is a notion that upon reading this thread has caught my interest. For indeed, if the earth is unable to produce much for whatever reason then we had best have another means

A quick google showed me that Japan uses hydroponic method to grow certain plants; teas, the like. I have a question, what is the average cost per month of using a hydroponic system? Another question I have is most likely dumb, but what does hydroponic fertiliser consist of? All in all use of hydroponics seems like a good method to me; at least something that one should be educated about.


Not sure what the average cost would be per month, but I do know that what we do not consume or can for ourselves,
we take the extra to the farmers market to sell.

What we get from selling the extra yield pays for the next seasons seeds, water, nutrients and soil less medium.

The soil less medium is more costly than dirt or compost and if you do it
indoors then the lighting equipment especially the light bulbs are expensive.

Our system is outdoors.

Hydroponic fertilizer contains essential micro-nutrients that regular fertilizers or compost do not have.

The micro-nutrients that are required for healthy plant growth are calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.

These nutrients are essential elements that plants need in very small amounts.

Without these trace elements plants can become sick and develop all sorts of problems, depending on which micro-nutrients are missing.

In the case of food crops, the lack of micro-nutrients in the soil can mean a
lack of nutrients in the food, which means at best the food isn't as healthy
as it could be and at worst people can develop heath problems due to the
lack of these essential elements.



.

Another thing about hydroponics is that it raises a lot of red flags. Believe me, it doesn’t matter if you are just trying to get a good tomato the kwaps will be all over your operation.

Kwaps love to harass legal people because it gives the illusion that they are doing something and it is much safer than busting down the door to some drug dealer mansion.


Do not listen to this fool we have had our hydro system for years and
not once have the cops stop by to kick our door in to harass us.

Matter of fact we purchase all our supply's online.

You are the only one raising a red flag here by feeding people your disinformation and paranoia.

.

Not sure what the average cost would be per month, but I do know that what we do not consume or can for ourselves,
we take the extra to the farmers market to sell.

What we get from selling the extra yield pays for the next seasons seeds, water, nutrients and soil less medium.

The soil less medium is more costly than dirt or compost and if you do it
indoors then the lighting equipment especially the light bulbs are expensive.

Our system is outdoors.

Hydroponic fertilizer contains essential micro-nutrients that regular fertilizers or compost do not have.

The micro-nutrients that are required for healthy plant growth are calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.

These nutrients are essential elements that plants need in very small amounts.

Without these trace elements plants can become sick and develop all sorts of problems, depending on which micro-nutrients are missing.

In the case of food crops, the lack of micro-nutrients in the soil can mean a
lack of nutrients in the food, which means at best the food isn't as healthy
as it could be and at worst people can develop heath problems due to the
lack of these essential elements.


.

Thanks for explaining this further to me. Especially the nutrient content; and, I wanted to learn from someone who actually uses hydroponics as a regular method of growing food. That's what I'm most interested in, utiilising this method for certain types of food; vegetables ect.

So essentially then, if I understand correctly; this method is a little more expensive - if used indoors in particular; but the quality and crop yield is as good if not even better than regular farming method.

Is it possible to grow crop such as wheat, corn, the like; using hydroponic farming?

It seems possible to envision use of hydroponics for more than family use; for instance, if one wishes to start a community of Folk, but have limited land for both architecture and agriculture - then hydroponics could be an almost ideal method for a community endeavour; as a source of food supply in part. Would this be possible or not - and, I suppose we have to consider, the fedgov - but, there's no law against hydroponic farming - they cannot invade or raid a community using it to grow legal crops.

Thanks for explaining this further to me. Especially the nutrient content; and, I wanted to learn from someone who actually uses hydroponics as a regular method of growing food. That's what I'm most interested in, utiilising this method for certain types of food; vegetables ect.

So essentially then, if I understand correctly; this method is a little more expensive - if used indoors in particular; but the quality and crop yield is as good if not even better than regular farming method.

Is it possible to grow crop such as wheat, corn, the like; using hydroponic farming?

It seems possible to envision use of hydroponics for more than family use; for instance, if one wishes to start a community of Folk, but have limited land for both architecture and agriculture - then hydroponics could be an almost ideal method for a community endeavour; as a source of food supply in part. Would this be possible or not - and, I suppose we have to consider, the fedgov - but, there's no law against hydroponic farming - they cannot invade or raid a community using it to grow legal crops.

And Thank You for your interest.

Another thing there is no such thing as a dumb question, only people who are to dumb to ask.

I tried to get my Ol’ man to come here and post as he is the specialist here,
but he won’t so I will do my best from what I have learned from him to answer your questions.

Yes. the hydroponic way of growing is better and healthier than regular methods.

Most all of the crop that people by in there local supermarket is shit, more toxic than nutritional with the various herbicides, insecticides, cides etc..

Yes, it is possible although growing such crops as corn, wheat, grains, potatoes, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, carrots, radish and onion etc.(which he refers to as very high yield and ground crops) in a bucket system is not very fees able.

We have a small plot here on our land where we grow these crops hydroponically. We had about 11/2-2’ of the soil removed and
replaced it with organic composed and use nothing but to refill. What makes hydroponic gardening is primarily the hydroponic fertilizers,
so of course we use hydroponic fertilizer to water and feed the crops in the plot.

The only difference is there are some weeds and insects to deal with, where as in the buckets we have zero weeds and few if any insects to contend with.

Yes, growing a hydroponic farm for a small community is possible, but this is where it gets more complicated.
By complicated I mean that it would be better to have such a large scale system set-up with computers and
sensors controlling everything from watering cycles, pH levels to nutrient strength and the amount of light that the plants receive.

But, after the costly and complicated system is set-up it would be business as usual and over
time the system would pay for itself and could generate extra income for the community.

Another difference in such a system is that you wouldn’t use soil less medium, just water and
you would need a larger plot to grow the very high yield and ground crops like stated previously.

Anything is possible if you are willing to make it possible.

Hope this helps.


.

And Thank You for your interest.

Another thing there is no such thing as a dumb question, only people who are to dumb to ask.

I tried to get my Ol’ man to come here and post as he is the specialist here,
but he won’t so I will do my best from what I have learned from him to answer your questions.

Yes. the hydroponic way of growing is better and healthier than regular methods.

Most all of the crop that people by in there local supermarket is shit, more toxic than nutritional with the various herbicides, insecticides, cides etc..

Yes, it is possible although growing such crops as corn, wheat, grains, potatoes, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, carrots, radish and onion etc.(which he refers to as very high yield and ground crops) in a bucket system is not very fees able.

We have a small plot here on our land where we grow these crops hydroponically. We had about 11/2-2’ of the soil removed and
replaced it with organic composed and use nothing but to refill. What makes hydroponic gardening is primarily the hydroponic fertilizers,
so of course we use hydroponic fertilizer to water and feed the crops in the plot.

The only difference is there are some weeds and insects to deal with, where as in the buckets we have zero weeds and few if any insects to contend with.

Yes, growing a hydroponic farm for a small community is possible, but this is where it gets more complicated.

By complicated I mean that it would be better to have such a large scale system set-up with computers and sensors controlling everything from watering cycles, pH levels to nutrient strength and the amount of light that the plants receive.

But, after the costly and complicated system is set-up it would be business as usual and over time the system would pay for itself and could generate extra income for the community.

Another difference in such a system is that you wouldn’t use soil less medium, just water and you would need a larger plot to grow the very high yield and ground crops like stated previously.

Anything is possible if you are willing to make it possible.

Hope this helps.


.

Thank you very much - Maybe your Da will be interested to post one day; but it seems to me that you've learned well from him -

The use of hydroponics then is a pretty simple system and concept, one that I seem to making more complicated for myself.

Well, the community I'm thinking of would include several computer techs, a couple of them are pretty knowledgeable about farming. So, the more sophisticated system you are referring to is feasible, though sounds difficult for start up; but I don't see why difficulty should stand in the way, really.

I'm relieved to learn that the crops I had mentioned can be grown using hydroponics - you said to ask any question -- no matter how dumb, thanks, Odell - I suppose then folks can also grow even other sorts of crop too - such as soya bean, regular beans and ect - pretty much anything that can be grown via regular farming method.

Also, If one has for instance a hundred or so, give or take, acres of heavily wooded land - and wishes to preserve the land, without too much deforestation; other than to build housing, create some back road as well as high road and low, the sort that makes transport and getting around easier, then I am still going to assume that using either some land for crop, mixed with heavier use of hydroponic farming would then this might be a better or more ideal situation.

And, if the land is located in an area that's seasonal, subject to very cold winters, moderate fall and spring and very hot summers; then could the community switch over to a completely hydroponic system during the extreme weathers- a large scale one I suppose, so that when necessary, the community could pretty much some crop that are not in season? Or, would it best to use completely hydroponic system?

That would mean having to grow some of the more necessary crop [though certainly not wheat, or corn -that's really not feasible at all] indoors, it would be expensive, but can it also be done? Or is the notion of keeping to season, and using partial land farming, along with soil-less/hydroponic farming the better way?

I am most concerned and interested about efficient use of land.

I'm thinking the larger plots you mentioned would not be anywhere the size demanded by the tradtional method of farming. That way, more folks could live on the land and the population could be maximised, without having to tolerate too much hardship. In other words, more of the 100 or so acres could be given to families, using a more consolidated method of farmimg.

Maybe you wouldn't mind to ask your Da if he could direct me to a few books I could read?

I also would like reference[s] for land cultivation/food production for population per capita ratios - ie, how many acres would be required to feed one person, full grown average adult male, annually and the amount of variant crops necessary to sustain a healthy diet.