Growing plants in the Rockies Greenhouse gardening at 8500ft

With the hassles of soil based growing, add to it the fact that we have to keep the soil warm and disease free at the same time we thought there has to be a better way….and hydroponics came to mind.

The last time I used hydroponics to grow anything I was 14 years old and had a really simple system in my parents glasshouse, so things have changed since then, mainly in terms of chemicals/mixes used and components in the systems.

One thing I did notice now is the cost of the systems you can buy online, they are really really expensive. So I set out to convert the greenhouse to hydroponic using stuff bought in a local hardware store.

In researching this I found a lot of links and pics, unfortunately most were for growing drugs in your garage or attic!, I also found here in Evergreen we have a store selling hydroponics.

I am going to build 2 systems, a ebb and flow system using buckets for tomatoes and peppers and bigger plants, and a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system for lettuce, bok choi, strawberries and herbs.

Here are some links:

Chemicals and supplies

http://www.ageoldorganic.com/

Local evergreen supplier All Season Gardener

http://www.thebigtomato.com/

Building ideas and system info

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/

http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/homemade-hydroponics.html

http://www.content4reprint.com/home/gardening/understanding-ph-for-hydroponic-growing.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Easiest-Homemade-Hydroponics-System&id=109225