If you haven’t started growing your own food yet, start now. Food shortages are imminent, and it takes power away from big companies if we don’t rely on them.
Expensive to set up and space- and labor-intensive. Plus I don't have that much space to place a hydroponic garden, enough that would render sufficient food for the winter. Also it takes energy (grow lights, temperature settings) to do it right.
Now if I had access to a barn or warehouse (neither of which I have) and enough capital to invest in it (which I don't) then it might be feasible. Economics plays a role in these decisions, so with cash and space, I don't have the requisite basics to start a hydroponics garden that would provide meaningful amounts of food.
You'd be better off growing potatoes inside in containers over winter. They are amazingly hard to not grow. All they need is a sunny window & water, they'll do the rest. Put containers outside after last frost March/April and harvest in 2 months. Good way to kickstart your good weather gardening.
labor wise is no worse than outdoor gardening, in fact some may argue it’s easier because no weeding. You’re correct that it’s pricey to set up though, especially the grow lights.
There are other options however. You can grow a lot of things over. winter in cold frames for example. Kale, carrots, spinach, many other cold hardy veg will do just fine in a cold frame. If you have southern facing windows in your home you’d be surprised what you can get to grow in them in containers.
The main thing though is planning and growing things in the summer that store for many months. There are varieties of onion, carrot, squash, and potatoes that will store in the ground or in a root cellar for several months. And although relying on the power grid isn’t ideal, you can get a chest freezer and stock up a LOT of veg (i currently have several pounds of frozen okra in my fridge) and don’t forget learning to can. Canned veg can last up to 2 years.
While it is the wrong time of year to start on a lot of these things, it’s never the wrong time to start learning and planning.
Look up growing food indoors wall hydroponics ....there's too many vids on youtube to count. You only need a wall and it can be done cheap with materials you can pick up at any home depot, like plumbing pipe. I picked a really easy, cheap one to get you started on the search
We can’t do it alone. We need to work as a community. You can easily fit a 5x10 tent with lights inside and just focus on 1 plant like organic tomatoes. Then trade the tomatoes with others for whatever veggie you need. Food can easily be traded in a nationwide indoor farming economy where we all focus on at least 1 kind of veggie.
So if carrots are lacking in 1 neighborhood, I would grow carrots because I can easily trade them due to high demand and low supply. No competition.
Learn/teach yourself how to fertilize soil by planting seeds; then grow your understanding of perspective...your choice represents the seed; the reality you perceive represents the soil. Fertilize that. Use your neighborhood for growth, and the more you do this; the more help you will get. Any empty garden is only a question away from being usable for growth. Show others how to grow food or make fertilizer on a balcony.
If you haven’t started growing your own food yet, start now. Food shortages are imminent, and it takes power away from big companies if we don’t rely on them.
Hard to do that with winter coming on. I've stored canned goods and dry foods (rice, beans, pasta) and water for whatever is coming.
Hydroponics is year round. Indoors.
Expensive to set up and space- and labor-intensive. Plus I don't have that much space to place a hydroponic garden, enough that would render sufficient food for the winter. Also it takes energy (grow lights, temperature settings) to do it right.
Now if I had access to a barn or warehouse (neither of which I have) and enough capital to invest in it (which I don't) then it might be feasible. Economics plays a role in these decisions, so with cash and space, I don't have the requisite basics to start a hydroponics garden that would provide meaningful amounts of food.
^^^All the above.
You'd be better off growing potatoes inside in containers over winter. They are amazingly hard to not grow. All they need is a sunny window & water, they'll do the rest. Put containers outside after last frost March/April and harvest in 2 months. Good way to kickstart your good weather gardening.
labor wise is no worse than outdoor gardening, in fact some may argue it’s easier because no weeding. You’re correct that it’s pricey to set up though, especially the grow lights.
There are other options however. You can grow a lot of things over. winter in cold frames for example. Kale, carrots, spinach, many other cold hardy veg will do just fine in a cold frame. If you have southern facing windows in your home you’d be surprised what you can get to grow in them in containers.
The main thing though is planning and growing things in the summer that store for many months. There are varieties of onion, carrot, squash, and potatoes that will store in the ground or in a root cellar for several months. And although relying on the power grid isn’t ideal, you can get a chest freezer and stock up a LOT of veg (i currently have several pounds of frozen okra in my fridge) and don’t forget learning to can. Canned veg can last up to 2 years.
While it is the wrong time of year to start on a lot of these things, it’s never the wrong time to start learning and planning.
Look up growing food indoors wall hydroponics ....there's too many vids on youtube to count. You only need a wall and it can be done cheap with materials you can pick up at any home depot, like plumbing pipe. I picked a really easy, cheap one to get you started on the search
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLEVQw-bHhc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UB7HEy4WJk
We can’t do it alone. We need to work as a community. You can easily fit a 5x10 tent with lights inside and just focus on 1 plant like organic tomatoes. Then trade the tomatoes with others for whatever veggie you need. Food can easily be traded in a nationwide indoor farming economy where we all focus on at least 1 kind of veggie.
So if carrots are lacking in 1 neighborhood, I would grow carrots because I can easily trade them due to high demand and low supply. No competition.
Learn/teach yourself how to fertilize soil by planting seeds; then grow your understanding of perspective...your choice represents the seed; the reality you perceive represents the soil. Fertilize that. Use your neighborhood for growth, and the more you do this; the more help you will get. Any empty garden is only a question away from being usable for growth. Show others how to grow food or make fertilizer on a balcony.
Or if you cycle the hydroponics through a fish tank, the nutrients from the plants can feed the fish and the fish poop fertilizes the plants.
True. That is called aquaponics.
Aquaponics