Secret Garden | Tanner's Site

I have a "Secret Garden" in my basement. It's a hydroponics system growing leafy greens and herbs. You can see an hourly photo of it below:

Click the above photo for a larger version.

There's usually kale, spinach, cilantro, parsley, and green onion growing. Sometimes dill and basil.

Kratky Method

This garden uses the Kratky method of hydroponics. The plants sit in a 30 L reservoir of nutrient solution. As the plants grow, they drink the water level down until a layer of air forms. This air is what oxygenates the plants after the oxygen dissolved in the water is depleted. The resulting system is completely passive, requiring no air pumps, water pumps, recirculation, filters, or heat and no risk of leaks or flooding.

Previous Garden

My last garden used nutrient film technique (NFT) to continuously deliver a shallow stream of nutrient solution to the plants growing in 2" ABS pipe. A submersible fountain water pump sends nutrients up 1/4" irrigation hose to each of the four pipes. The nutrients flow down the slope passed all the roots and return to the ~40 L reservoir. An air stone oxygenates the water. Two computer case fans ensure adequate airflow.

four black pipes supported horizontally by a wooden frame. eight small seedlings are growing out of the pipe under four grow lights total. two fans on the right. a pink towel is down below, covering the reservoir.

The nutrients are kept in a reservoir underneath the towel, which helps block light and limit algae growth:

the reservoir with the towel removed. the yellow lid is cut in half and has a tube poking out of it with a distribution cap for the 1/4 inch irrigation lines to connect to. black return pipes are on the left, pointing down into the reservoir through a mesh bag acting as a filter.

First Garden

My first system Helios Alpha could grow up to six plants. It's designed around a single 102 L plastic tote. It holds enough water to harvest lettuce a few times before refilling. After the initial setup, the system can be ignored for weeks.

the hydroponics system from two angles. a black tub with yellow lid, covered in tin foil with six holes for plants. grow lights above suspended by metal shelving.