If this last dry season has been any indication of what lies ahead, from a climatic point of view, we had better prepare for alternatives to grow our food. Hydroponic gardening is often a good choice, especially when space, water, and soil are limited.

Hydroponic systems are convenient: they do not require watering or weeding, and offer easy harvesting. They require less space and are environmentally friendly as they recycle water over and over again. If you are planning to start growing your own food, I hope this article helps you decide which method is best for you.

Hydroponic systems are very popular with commercial growers and home gardeners in Costa Rica, so there are many outlets that offer the equipment and products to get you started. I have included a list of contacts at the end of the article.

First, find the right spot for your garden. Poor lighting will lead to poor plant growth, so it is very important that the site receives the right morning sun. This usually means the eastern and southern exposures of the house.

Then comes the choice of the right size. I generally recommend that you start small and expand “gradually“as you go. Remember that you can also create a vertical garden with hydroponics.

Now comes the decision of what type of hydroponic system you will be using. There are several DIY systems that save you money, but you will need some plumbing skills for this project.

Open water systems where plants float on styrofoam are no longer recommended due to the risk of mosquitoes breeding in the system, such as Aedes aegypti, who can carry dengue, chickonguay and zika viruses. Most systems today use different types of growing media, such as charcoal made from rice husks, volcanic rock, clay pellets, sand, or coir.

The simplest method is called the wick system, where the nutrient solution under the plants is moved to the plants by absorbent wicks. The system does not require a pump, but may not provide enough solution to the plants. The continuous drip method, on the other hand, allows the nutrient solution to drip into the growing medium for the plants, either by gravity or by pump. Tanks, drip fittings, and hoses are also needed.

The ebb and flow system uses a pump that floods the nutrient solution on the surface of the planting medium, which then flows into a catchment tank below. A timer is used to periodically water the plants; Power outages and pump failures can damage plant roots if they go unnoticed.

The high-tech aeroponic method vaporizes the roots of the plants, which are suspended in the air in a sealed tank. This helps reduce plant diseases, but can cause roots to dry out if they don’t get enough nutrient solution. The Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) issued a free publication in Spanish, “Hidroponía en casa,”On how to create a family hydroponic garden.

This step-by-step manual will help you build a drip or continuous ebb and flow system along with all the details for preparing the nutrient solution. For those who prefer organic nutrient solutions, these are available at outlets that sell hydroponic supplies on the list.

Don’t think hydroponics is a bed of roses. Hydroponic gardeners face challenges and must pay constant attention to details such as nutrient deficiencies, contaminated water, insect problems, and crop failures. That’s why I recommend starting small and expanding your hydroponics system as you learn how to grow and harvest vegetables successfully.

But overall, growing your food at home is a good investment. When we can save money, eat healthier food, and help improve our environment, it’s a good step towards reshaping the habitats we live in. Hydroponics is really in its ‘teenage years’, and as we work with it more improvements will develop.

Next time, we’ll be reviewing another design called Aquaponics. Meanwhile, you can continue to learn about hydroponics online. You can find a This site a good place to start.

RESOURCES FOR HYDROPONIC GARDENS IN COSTA RICA

ABOPAC, 2205-1000, mineral salts

AGROTICO, 2273-8989, mineral salts

AGROVERDE, 2438-2326, mineral salts, nurseries

AMACIGOS DEL SUR, 8819-8635, hydroponic products

CASAGRI, 2261-0266, seeds, irrigation equipment

EL SEMILLERO, 2221-2983, seeds

ORNAMENTAL ENCHAPES, 2276-7772, volcanic rock

KAF INTERNACIONAL, 2448-4597, greenhouse materials

LABORATORY DR. OBREGON, 2761-0668, biological controls

LA CASA DE LA SEMILLA, 2223-2501, seeds

RESUSA, 2278-6878, mineral salts, cosmoquel, iron

ULISIES UREÑA, 2276-9243, mineral salts, substrates

PRODUCTOS HIDROPONICOS DE CR, 8931-4191, HIDROPLANT products

POLYMER (Francisco Martínez), 2231-4455 / 2231-4988, plastic products

SEMILLAS AGRICOLAS DE COSTA RICA, 2227-3208, hydroponic products

TRISAN, 2290-0050, seeds

YANBER SA 2257-9020, plastic products

To learn more about Ed Bernhardt’s monthly columns on home gardening, click here.

For more information on tropical gardening – naturally – visit Facebook or contact him at [email protected]

This article was originally published in 2016