What do you think about security cameras; are they going to attract unwanted attention or help keep the bad guys away and tell me what’s going on when I’m not here?
My local Costco seems to be offering some pretty good deals and it would be nice to have some peace of mind while I am away. Some of the bundles even have models that allow me to check on things from my smart phone.
Are you considering starting a hydroponic farm to grow food for local or wholesale markets? If your operation is well set up, from the hydroponic systems to the marketing of the product, hydroponic farms are not only great income producers, but are far more sustainable than virtually all other forms of crop production. Yes, there are considerable challenges to meet; the first is covering the start up costs of all the equipment. Another task is figuring the operating costs - the expenses involved with running pumps and lights. But, one of the most important questions to ask yourself, that very well may determine the long-term viability of your business is, “What kind of crops do I plan on producing?” You have to choose the crop that is right for your area.
Before you became a hydroponics grower, when you heard the word "ballast," you probably only thought of the weighty materials they throw off of hot air balloons to make the balloon rise. But when you're talking about hydroponics lighting, a ballast is an interface device that uses analog or solid-state circuitry to get the right amount of electricity to your hydroponics bulbs. You can't just plug a bulb directly into electricity. You need a ballast as an interface. Old school magnetic ballasts are so heavy and hot that they could double as boat anchors. The most effective, efficient and safe hydroponics ballasts are digital low frequency ballasts. Here's what you need to know:
Hydroponics roots are the unseen foundation for your plants but too many hydroponics growers neglect them. You’ll see hydroponics growers paying attention to hydroponics nutrients, grow room climate control, pH, ppm, hydroponics lighting, plant genetics and so many other factors…but not paying attention to hydroponics roots at all.
The challenge for most growers looking to get into commercial hydroponic crop production is the up front costs of the hydroponic system and greenhouse equipment, as well as the price of land. Then there are operating costs to consider: electricity to power the pumps, lights, water, fertilizer, labor and packaging.
So far in our Hydro 101 series on outdoor growing we’ve covered quite a bit of ground. But for the beginner heading outdoors, or making plans to head outdoors next season, there’s still a lot left to learn.
Q:
I live in an area where property crimes occur and I want to be able to protect all of the time and money I have tied up in my growing investment. Just the other day, I came out in the morning to find that someone had gone through my car, and it reminded me that I may be at risk for theft or worse. Anything you might recommend? I live in a semi-private detached house with a fenced yard. BTW, I noticed some ads in your mag for trained security dogs. Is that the best route to go for security?
Outdoor growing offers you many benefits, including the blazing sun, oceans of CO2-laden fresh air, cost savings, and the potential for your plants to grow as big as trees! But you also have to fight outdoor pests and predators that want to harm your plants. So read this article and its follow-up articles so you get the most from the great outdoors this year and every year.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the mother’s milk for your hydroponics plants…even though CO2 can kill you, your plants crave it for photosynthesis that keeps all their life processes going. If you’re doing everything else right in your hydroponics room but you aren’t adding CO2, you’re missing out on an easy way to boost your growth rate and yields.
Large, succulent and bushy…that’s what turns hydroponics growers on more and more lately. In the ebb and flow of what’s popular with growers who want to keep plant numbers down, less is more. Bigger is better.
New indoor growers are sometimes surprised to find out that they can cultivate outdoors as well. There’s a lot to consider, from preparation to location and privacy, but done right, growing outdoors is much easier than growing indoors. You don't have to create the perfect environment like you do indoors because Mother Nature does that part for you. Also you don't have to pay an electric bill for your outdoor garden because the sun does the work for you. For those of you interested, outdoor season has already begun in many parts of North America, but it’s not too late to get started.
Been thinking of giving your indoor hydroponics grow room a rest and growing outdoors? Then come on a journey with me as I continue my series of articles about outdoor growing. After all, spring has sprung, the birds are singing, and I’m sliding down a hill head over heels, reveling in the joys of outdoor gardening as I tumble.
Q:
I have been enjoying the benefits that indoor growing offers for almost a year now. As a new but serious grower, I put a lot of time, effort and expense into my project. Happy to say the hard work is paying off. However, the problem that I am having is that I would like to be able to go on a trip once in a while, or even away for just a few nights for some R&R and to spend some of my hard earned loot.
When you have limited space or budget but big dreams about using hydroponics to grow massive harvests, you can enjoy the micro-garden approach that makes good hydroponics things happen in small spaces.
When it comes to hydroponics grow room and hydroponics gardening planning, you get a good feeling when you do it right. Many hydroponics growers have learned the hard way. I recall an embarrassing grow room situation in which my lack of planning made things harder if not impossible. I started several strains of seeds at the same time, even though each strain had radically different growing characteristics. I should have known better, but I underestimated the differences.