A most kind soul, teaching the people how to garden with hydroponics, to grow their own food, to feed themselves and survive in this unstable globe we live in now…. You Sir, are what is needed most in our world now, "a point of light". I am sure you have inspired thousands of people, as you inspired me…. I have learned much from you, as we grow our own food in both soil, and hydroponics. Thank You for your kindred spirit to generously share your knowledge to our humanity.
Mike VanDuzee... You da man....!!! I was on the fence about starting up my Hydrponics veggie set up again, but after hearing about the shaky banks bailouts and economics I'm motivated to get a head start and get to Growin....!!!
Hey Mike, so glad I found your channel. Even though I have been doing passive hydro for a few years now, I have learned a lot from your channel. Saved me a lot of money too! Thank you. I really liked your idea of gutter growboxes, but found out my local Home Depot no longer sells vinyl gutter components. If anyone else has experienced this, here is something that works. I bought a 4x4x39 vinyl fence post jacket and 2 endcaps. It's more expensive as I paid $22 to make one, but its a heavier plastic and works great.
Started my indoor garden 2 weeks ago. I was excited to see how much the tiny roots from the micro green lettuce have developed when I took a peek on them yesterday. I’m sure the plant will begin to flourish now. I live in michigan so I am just using a room in our home that wasn’t being utilized for much. Today I transplanted pok choy micro greens. There really isn’t a lot to do but turn the grow light on and off and I must them daily because it’s rather dry inside. I’ve been sharing this little project with a lot of people. I think I will build something for my mom this summer so she can have a garden again. At 83 this is perfect because there just isn’t a lot of work for her to do.
Incredibly inspirational Mike! Your technique inspired me, so I ordered the ingredients for Masterblend last week, and today, I bought materials for about 32 of your 30 inch downspout rigs. I finished my first 4 this afternoon! I didn't use a torch to heat up the ends, but instead dipped the ends in boiling water, and it was quick and easy to fold up the ends. I can hardly wait for the nutrients to arrive so I can transplant the arugula I have sprouting! Thanks for the vibe and inspiration! That bucket tower is next!
Mike, one thing I find everyone overlooks, and its the most important aspect to Gardening, is the cost of everything in relation to the Yeild. Those grow towers that sell for like $1000, is an example of something that APPEARS to be functional, but actually may cost more money than one realizes. To the point where it renders it unfeasable.
I love your philosophy. I too enjoy "playing with my plants" (as my youngest kiddo likes to say), but I want something low maintenance. Hydroponics has scared me away because it seemed so complex. You've motivated me to give this a try!
I love this channel! I have so enjoyed these videos and the way Mike talks to the audience like talking to a friend, respectful and chill... I also, appreciate talking to us through how your ideas came about, talking us through your experiments and processes. I always feel that my gardening is a constant experimentation. Love it ...
Thank you Keenya. This may be a huge coincidence but I am actually editing the beginning of my next video talking about this. I actually say in the video that I am not a "TH-camr" and I just want to be like friends helping each other. I took a break and decided to check some comments and saw this. This made me feel good. Thank you.
I chose Masterblend because it was quite popular...apparently many people are using it with this method. I bought the Tomato 4-18-38 formula for all flowering/fruiting veges and I also bought the Lettuce 8-15-36 for lettuces and greens. I think some people just use the tomatoe formula for everything. When we order, we also need the calcium and the epsoms (magnesium sulfate). Happy growing@@angelamc3532
I'm growing mine on a floating island of Styrofoam. Over a tub. Substrate is a little cow compost and sphagnum moss. Just enough to keep the seeds moist, if the Styrofoam floats the catapillers might not make it across and fall into the most.
Found you on TikTok first, now on TH-cam. SO glad I did! I am going to be teaching an "Intro to hydroponics" class in my after school program (grades 4-8). I am learning myself and am relying a lot on your videos. Curious, what do you use for the nutrients? Any helpful hints you can give me? The students I am working with are low income and inner city and I want them to learn how to be a little more self-sufficient. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
That's awesome! Here is the nutrient video: th-cam.com/video/SaN6Dlf2hCg/w-d-xo.html This is a top 10 FAQ: th-cam.com/video/VPG6dbbn6FU/w-d-xo.html Email me at keepongrowin1@gmail.com and tell me who you are, I will put you in the online class for free. It's just 12 simple, short videos, just the meat and bones, not all this TH-cam stuff. It will help get you started.
How are you teaching low-income kids about hydroponics when you don't know anything about it? Sounds unqualified to me. How'd you get your job? Nepotism? Cronyism? Or the good ole boy way?
I don't have the $ to buy the diwnspouts, but, I do have 1 gallon juice bottles and milk bottles to use. For my heavy feeders like Tomatoes, cukes, squashes and melons, I have coolers. I'm very excited for this growing season! You are my inspiration for converting to hydroponics from regular dirt growing!!💞 I'm using Aluminum foil to block the light. I'm Hoping for Les ALGEA and a better harvest!💞
I just want to say thank you for making these things so accessible! My area has a short growing season (roughly 110 days), and has been full of drought for years. My regular small garden has been impossible to keep up on (the last few years weve gotten above 40°c, and were even ranked hotter than dubai at one point...). I gave up the last few years as we couldnt keep up on the time needed and the water bill. Watching your videos has made the thought of changing how i grow things a lot less intimidating! I've always been curious, but highly anxious about making the switch to hydro and aeroponics... but desparate times call for desperate measures. Im currently in the process of starting some seeds, and getting the materials I need for some kratky containers.
Howdy Mike, howdy All. Okay so I had a lot of lettuce seed sprout , surprised me since previous years of the same seed had terrible germination. Anywho had way more seedlings than space. so I had a Dollar Tree square plastic container with lid. I didn't cut the lid, I just took the lid off and the handholds bent inward so I took a piece of styrofoam scrap and cut it into a square and set it inside on top of that hand hold lip. Then I took a soldering iron, could also use a wood burning tip, I actually used a styrofoam cutting tip, and I just poked a bunch of holes through the square sheet of styrofoam. I filled the container with water and i just pulled each of the sprouts and stuck them into the pencil sized holes i melted into the foam and just let it float. Some were two to a hole. That became my makeshift seedling tray After a couple of weeks I realized I still had no place to put them, I started collecting the soda bottles my friends put in the recycling bin and propped them all up inside a plastic locker tote, and just cut wedges out of pool noodles to hold the sprouts in the neck of the soda bottles with some nutrient solution inside. I then put some nutrient solution in the "seedling Tray" because I figure if I'm not going to cull them, I might as well give them what they need. I ended up being able to have a salad every night over the entire winter from those soda bottles and the accidental seedling tray. When the lettuce grew large and took more water, the styofoam got caught on the inside lip and made it's own air gap. Accidental Kratky! LOL I like the options that overseeding gave me, and I might do it again on purpose.
That happens to me too. I start looking for anything that will hold liquid, lol. Wait till you see a video coming in a few weeks. I love the "Accidentally Kratky". Awesome when things work out.
Have you thought of using maybe 3 pieces of wood that you cut a curve in that your round planters would set in. They wouldn't roll around and are still movable.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and inspiration on this simple way of hydroponic gardening! I love gardening but am about to move out of a 200sq ft unit to a slightly bigger camper/RV…and I’m excited to start gardening again, hydroponically!
I’ve had good success with the down spout method but I’ve noticed that the white stems which are so delicious in salads do not get as big as they do when I grow in conventional potting soil. Really enjoy the videos
I dig your backdrop, no pun intended. I use rubber grommets in the holes(a bit pricey) for fit and finish. Then I just pop in those neoprene pucks. Incredible results!
Thjank you so much for sharing your knowledge and teaching us. My business partner doesn't want the Kratky system because it takes too much space in comparision with NFT. I will show her your video so she can see from you that Kratky is also a good method. I like your system very much. I appreciate your teaching.
I thought of an idea you can use. Pour resin in the end of 2 sections of down spouts then use a connector to put the 2 sections together. Then you don't have to struggle putting resin in the opposite end. I absolutely love your ideas!
There is a program for your smart phone which will predict where the sun will be at any given time at any date future or past. I use it to cut back tree growth to have areas which will be sun lighted or as you suggest keeping things Mobil to move the plants as necessary to have more sun or in Southern States more shade. Professional photographers use this to plan their photography months in advance. It is called PhotoPill.
You could totally sell the mistake pieces! If you wanted to! Maybe as a seasonal “mistakes made to success” category. Discounted if you’d like but if they work they work!
I am new to this channel and am really loving your content! Has anyone tried planting flowers using this method? I obviously want to try growing veggies and herbs this way but I have had so much trouble with the squirrels! Every year I plant flowers in my planters and they dig up all my dirt and destroy the plants. I’d love to have some flowers back in my planters. Thanks!
I planted flowers in a downspout - mostly snapdragon because I love them. I used a different fertilizer. I don't know that is necessary, but it had a slightly different NPK. They were wonderful. I also have a backyard full of squirrels. They mostly leave my greens alone- They have pulled them out, but I think it is more curiosity to get to the water(?), I just stick them back in and they continue to grow fine. They do love my tomatoes though. I am going to try wrapping tulle netting around them after they set this year.
I like how you describe from the start and the process of what worked and didnt and new ways. Can you list the certain veggies that can be done this way. I see lettuce, kale, bok, bail ? due to size and fruits or is it all kinds? as far as space inbetween and heaviness
this is so cool!! been going through your videos so excited because i work and live on a boat in the summer in alaska and want to have fresh greens :) a lot of the systems look tricky for space/power/water availability.. and the boat moving and rocking but i think this will work great!! and with the pool noodle we won’t be too worried about the plants falling out! thank you so much!! any tips for boat specific applications?
I have several down spout (4”) growing outside, how do I keep rain from getting into my downspout and diluting my nutrients? I really like the system. thanks 😊
GDay from Australia, Thanks Mike for all your time and effort teaching your Thousands of viewers I have been playing and experimenting with Hydroponics here in Newcastle NSW for a while now. I have been using various containers with only limited success In Australia the only rectangular plastic downspouts readily available is 4x2 I haven’t tried this yet, but have you found the small amount of nutrient that a 4 foot length of 4x2 downspout would hold would become too hot to allow nutrient uptake and affect the amount of dissolved oxygen available to the plants Have you found nutrient temperature affects plant growth PS I have tried adding frozen bottles of water and covering the containers with aluminium foil
@@KeepOnGrowin GDay Mike thanks for the reply ,I will be interested in your experiments regarding keeping the nutrient cool. Where getting into cooler weather here in Australia so hopefully I will have more luck then
@paulwilson4081 - the big green shop sells a 100 x 65 downpipe as well as the 100 x 50, (although not all their stores have it in stock). You could also try burying the pipe to keep it cooler. If you're growing leafy greens in summer, make sure it's not getting much full sun, or they'll just bolt really quickly - I have shade cloth over mine up on the sunny coast (they still do tend to bolt in summer: lettuce etc is probably best grown indoors in Oz summer - and select the non-hearting varieties, as you can at least crop the leaves continuously until they do bolt).
Yessss Mike!!! I started my first try by following you! With the heat gun, noodle styleee! You are the man. THANK YOU! Especially thanks for just being so genuine and generous with sharing your learning process with us! I’m fixing to pressure wash and start some micros just to spite the weather on this planet 😂 much love from the Virgin Islands… ❤
🥰 New subbie here ! Can I use you system in a small greenhouse? There's not enough room in my house. Have you ever grown a small fruit tree with a non soil component? I hate dirt and worms 😖
Love this! I live on a canal boat in the UK. Weather is too cold to grow outside yet. But, I am doing my research (UK sources, prices and equivalents) and planting some seeds. My growing space is part of the boat roof until I get to build my blue barrel pontoon boat to tow behind. Then that becomes my grow space. But first I have to finish the refurb of the inside. Really interested in using home made "compost tea" in place of store bought formula. Again it keeps the cost down. Have you done tnis? Did it work?
@@gunitawilson5134 Not as such. There are a number of "reclaim" yards that have lots of round pipes cheap. B&Q have rectangular pvc ventilation pipe in 1m lengths but it is £8+ each!! I have started 3 sets of seeds using the take away style voxes in Poundland. 5 in a pack. Kale and Tomatoes have come up ok. B&Q have some nice large totes/boxes that I think will make nice growing boxes. When I plant them out I will post a vid on my channel. About time I started using it again.
@@lauriestlyon8773 thank you for the reply! I have found Metal Food Safe grade Channels with separate lids from a company called Trusty Parts Ltd. Comes up to £23 for 3m length and seems to be cheaper than other options so far.. I have a flat space alongside a garden shed so I think downpipes would suit best, but maybe I should look into different tubs instead 🤷🏼♀️
I am new at this. I have a question. I use pool and leca Rockwood, in 5 gallon tubs and buckets. I tried the fence post, but i was going to plant strawberries, and I caught it in time, but it leaked. So I use them in green house. But my plants inside water have a flim floating on top is this supposed to happen? If not, what do I need to do? I hate to waste all the nutrients and water. Thank you.
Can I do this in the summer in central florida? Does the plastic or water heat up too bad? What about mold or algae? I'm super excited to do this. My mother loved gardening and was fantastic at it. It was our thing together, and when she passed away last year it has been hard. She was starting this in her basement in chicago before and I wanted to do it with her but I was so far away. I think if I did this, I would honor her. She helped ppl learn to grow and created green spaces in food deserts.
@@jasminemonroe304 Yes, but this is just my first experiment. It was getting up to 97F but has cooled down with 2 weeks of rain. Getting warmer again soon.
What is it about the downspout method vs. something like a storage tote, why it doesn't require aerating the water? I could understand that in the older version, the ends were just heated and bent closed, but not sealed - letting oxygen in, whereas the sealed endcaps style downspout is essentially airtight.
Is the pool noodles BPA free? If not are they safe to use to grow food? I'm a cancer patient and it's due to chemicals I've worked with so we're very careful of what we use in our home.
Are there any krakke containers one could make/use that are from a cleaner material than plastics? One of the reasons I want to grow my own food is so that I can ensure my food is ultra-pure and doesn't come into contact with things I don't want in my body, like the microplastics the food at the grocery store are inundated with. :/ ty you so much for all your work and sharing your methods with everyone! Truly amazing. ☺️
@@bmb3283 Well, you could use mason jars. You'd cut out a hole in the metal lid to insert rockwool into the opening to hold the seedling. But good luck finding a reliable source of water that doesn't contain nanoparticles of microplastics.
Hey Mike Another Great Video. I would like to sell the gutter downspout planters at my local farmers market. Can you recommend a CNC table top router so I can make the thicker pvc board end caps? Thanks Mike for all the great info.👍
Just please make sure you get foodgrade plastics. Some plastics give poisonous stuff, that can get into your plants, and it can really affect your health. Best google it. Where I live, (Netherlands), plastic has a code number to show or it is safe for food or not. I think in the U.S.A. they have a system for that too.
New to all of this...Live it the desert mountains of Arizona and I was wondering if strawberries would grow in these down spout planters you are making.
North of 40 here closer to the Grand Canyon...Strawberries seem very sensitive to our fluctuations of heat/sun and 45 degree temp swings, but I know Strawberries in the right environment here, carefully maintained can be done!!! ( Strawberry greens are edible!);)
Thank you Keep on growing, I appreciate the highlighted comment, I want to offer anyone reading this any question per growing in the harsh AZ climate, as many years now (I profess, I am no professor:) I am getting a firm hold on mitigation of the constant challenges the great Southwest can give a grower!! I grow most of the year in my outdoor garden enclosure! + Winter starts about 10/feet across and at level with my wood stove utilizing rechargeable LED magnetic strategically placed lights all night, I was amazed at the success with a (really) almost NO shoestring budget, ha. (Thinking of starting a small channel just for this as I have only seen a couple of growers in the real (again harsh)* High Desert, doing it well...I also haul water most of the year to my land (Catch rain water via gutters as able, very long rainy winter thus year made it like almost had a normal garden+ya know just turn on the water... So many take it for granted. )
What if I used Aluminum downspouts, instead of PVC?? Anyone see any reason I would not want to use Aluminum. I can see the higher thermal transfer of heat through the metal, may be limiting factor in summer. Will I be making aluminum to toxic levels in my nutrients??
Had a quick question, just starting out & would like some input as to what nutrients are preferred for a 5 gallon bucket hydroponic system. Or is just plain water preferred...tia
If you put this outside, ... what happens when it hits 90+ degrees (F)? Won't that cook the plants? And how do you avoid this? And can you get these hydroponics to work on producer plants like tomatoes, melons, cucs, etc? (Other than salad stuffs)?
Using the small containers, you can move them around. If the space is too hot, move to a more shaded area. Check out "Together We Grow" , he grows using hydroponics in Nevada, I think that is more your climate.
A most kind soul, teaching the people how to garden with hydroponics, to grow their own food, to feed themselves and survive in this unstable globe we live in now….
You Sir, are what is needed most in our world now, "a point of light".
I am sure you have inspired thousands of people, as you inspired me….
I have learned much from you, as we grow our own food in both soil, and hydroponics.
Thank You for your kindred spirit to generously share your knowledge to our humanity.
I love the simplicity of this guy
Mike VanDuzee... You da man....!!! I was on the fence about starting up my Hydrponics veggie set up again, but after hearing about the shaky banks bailouts and economics I'm motivated to get a head start and get to Growin....!!!
Nice! Wishing you luck and many bountiful harvests to come.
@@KeepOnGrowin 👍Thanks Mike.
Hey Mike, so glad I found your channel. Even though I have been doing passive hydro for a few years now, I have learned a lot from your channel. Saved me a lot of money too! Thank you. I really liked your idea of gutter growboxes, but found out my local Home Depot no longer sells vinyl gutter components. If anyone else has experienced this, here is something that works. I bought a 4x4x39 vinyl fence post jacket and 2 endcaps. It's more expensive as I paid $22 to make one, but its a heavier plastic and works great.
Started my indoor garden 2 weeks ago. I was excited to see how much the tiny roots from the micro green lettuce have developed when I took a peek on them yesterday. I’m sure the plant will begin to flourish now. I live in michigan so I am just using a room in our home that wasn’t being utilized for much. Today I transplanted pok choy micro greens. There really isn’t a lot to do but turn the grow light on and off and I must them daily because it’s rather dry inside. I’ve been sharing this little project with a lot of people. I think I will build something for my mom this summer so she can have a garden again. At 83 this is perfect because there just isn’t a lot of work for her to do.
Incredibly inspirational Mike! Your technique inspired me, so I ordered the ingredients for Masterblend last week, and today, I bought materials for about 32 of your 30 inch downspout rigs. I finished my first 4 this afternoon! I didn't use a torch to heat up the ends, but instead dipped the ends in boiling water, and it was quick and easy to fold up the ends. I can hardly wait for the nutrients to arrive so I can transplant the arugula I have sprouting! Thanks for the vibe and inspiration! That bucket tower is next!
Woah! You are going all out. Keep me updated!
Mike, one thing I find everyone overlooks, and its the most important aspect to Gardening, is the cost of everything in relation to the Yeild.
Those grow towers that sell for like $1000, is an example of something that APPEARS to be functional, but actually may cost more money than one realizes. To the point where it renders it unfeasable.
I love your philosophy. I too enjoy "playing with my plants" (as my youngest kiddo likes to say), but I want something low maintenance. Hydroponics has scared me away because it seemed so complex. You've motivated me to give this a try!
I love this channel! I have so enjoyed these videos and the way Mike talks to the audience like talking to a friend, respectful and chill...
I also, appreciate talking to us through how your ideas came about, talking us through your experiments and processes. I always feel that my gardening is a constant experimentation. Love it ...
Thank you Keenya. This may be a huge coincidence but I am actually editing the beginning of my next video talking about this. I actually say in the video that I am not a "TH-camr" and I just want to be like friends helping each other. I took a break and decided to check some comments and saw this. This made me feel good. Thank you.
@@KeepOnGrowinSo what Nutrients do I need to put in my water?? I'm using food grade 5 gallon buckets for all of my Herbs
I chose Masterblend because it was quite popular...apparently many people are using it with this method.
I bought the Tomato 4-18-38 formula for all flowering/fruiting veges and I also bought the Lettuce 8-15-36 for lettuces and greens. I think some people just use the tomatoe formula for everything. When we order, we also need the calcium and the epsoms (magnesium sulfate). Happy growing@@angelamc3532
We finally got settled in East Texas, I'm ready to get growing!💞💞💞
I have a solar set up to run my pumps and I'm pumped!!!! Love what you do Mike!!💞💞💞
AWESOME!!! Let's Gooooooo!!!
I'm growing mine on a floating island of Styrofoam. Over a tub. Substrate is a little cow compost and sphagnum moss. Just enough to keep the seeds moist, if the Styrofoam floats the catapillers might not make it across and fall into the most.
Think I found my new favorite channel! Love your kitchen decor too, looks awesome man.
Thank you!
Found you on TikTok first, now on TH-cam. SO glad I did! I am going to be teaching an "Intro to hydroponics" class in my after school program (grades 4-8). I am learning myself and am relying a lot on your videos. Curious, what do you use for the nutrients? Any helpful hints you can give me? The students I am working with are low income and inner city and I want them to learn how to be a little more self-sufficient. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
That's awesome! Here is the nutrient video: th-cam.com/video/SaN6Dlf2hCg/w-d-xo.html
This is a top 10 FAQ: th-cam.com/video/VPG6dbbn6FU/w-d-xo.html
Email me at keepongrowin1@gmail.com and tell me who you are, I will put you in the online class for free. It's just 12 simple, short videos, just the meat and bones, not all this TH-cam stuff. It will help get you started.
How are you teaching low-income kids about hydroponics when you don't know anything about it? Sounds unqualified to me. How'd you get your job? Nepotism? Cronyism? Or the good ole boy way?
I don't have the $ to buy the diwnspouts, but, I do have 1 gallon juice bottles and milk bottles to use. For my heavy feeders like Tomatoes, cukes, squashes and melons, I have coolers. I'm very excited for this growing season! You are my inspiration for converting to hydroponics from regular dirt growing!!💞
I'm using Aluminum foil to block the light. I'm Hoping for Les ALGEA and a better harvest!💞
Great job Susan! I love your ingenuity.
I love this! Jam packed with info in the single video! Love your enthusiasm too! Thanks for the ideas!
I just want to say thank you for making these things so accessible! My area has a short growing season (roughly 110 days), and has been full of drought for years. My regular small garden has been impossible to keep up on (the last few years weve gotten above 40°c, and were even ranked hotter than dubai at one point...). I gave up the last few years as we couldnt keep up on the time needed and the water bill. Watching your videos has made the thought of changing how i grow things a lot less intimidating! I've always been curious, but highly anxious about making the switch to hydro and aeroponics... but desparate times call for desperate measures. Im currently in the process of starting some seeds, and getting the materials I need for some kratky containers.
Howdy Mike, howdy All. Okay so I had a lot of lettuce seed sprout , surprised me since previous years of the same seed had terrible germination. Anywho had way more seedlings than space. so I had a Dollar Tree square plastic container with lid. I didn't cut the lid, I just took the lid off and the handholds bent inward so I took a piece of styrofoam scrap and cut it into a square and set it inside on top of that hand hold lip. Then I took a soldering iron, could also use a wood burning tip, I actually used a styrofoam cutting tip, and I just poked a bunch of holes through the square sheet of styrofoam. I filled the container with water and i just pulled each of the sprouts and stuck them into the pencil sized holes i melted into the foam and just let it float. Some were two to a hole. That became my makeshift seedling tray
After a couple of weeks I realized I still had no place to put them, I started collecting the soda bottles my friends put in the recycling bin and propped them all up inside a plastic locker tote, and just cut wedges out of pool noodles to hold the sprouts in the neck of the soda bottles with some nutrient solution inside. I then put some nutrient solution in the "seedling Tray" because I figure if I'm not going to cull them, I might as well give them what they need.
I ended up being able to have a salad every night over the entire winter from those soda bottles and the accidental seedling tray. When the lettuce grew large and took more water, the styofoam got caught on the inside lip and made it's own air gap. Accidental Kratky! LOL I like the options that overseeding gave me, and I might do it again on purpose.
That happens to me too. I start looking for anything that will hold liquid, lol. Wait till you see a video coming in a few weeks.
I love the "Accidentally Kratky". Awesome when things work out.
Have you thought of using maybe 3 pieces of wood that you cut a curve in that your round planters would set in. They wouldn't roll around and are still movable.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and inspiration on this simple way of hydroponic gardening! I love gardening but am about to move out of a 200sq ft unit to a slightly bigger camper/RV…and I’m excited to start gardening again, hydroponically!
I'm giving it a go thanks to your videos
Awesome!! Great to hear!!
You are the best, Mike!
I’ve had good success with the down spout method but I’ve noticed that the white stems which are so delicious in salads do not get as big as they do when I grow in conventional potting soil. Really enjoy the videos
This video is incredibly easy to follow. I feel a lot more comfortable about DIY now. Thanks!
Love it brother. I'll give it a try
Thanks for sharing…you saved me loads of time, effort, and moolah 🙏🏽
I dig your backdrop, no pun intended. I use rubber grommets in the holes(a bit pricey) for fit and finish. Then I just pop in those neoprene pucks. Incredible results!
Thanks Brad, we had fun making it! Great tip!
Thanks for your help. Your videos really work I almost gave up then I found your videos. Thanks again. Bruce from NC
Thjank you so much for sharing your knowledge and teaching us. My business partner doesn't want the Kratky system because it takes too much space in comparision with NFT. I will show her your video so she can see from you that Kratky is also a good method. I like your system very much. I appreciate your teaching.
Great video Mike! Very inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you . I will definitely try this.
Great stream, very inspiring. Thank you.
THANKS SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING MIKE THANKS
I thought of an idea you can use. Pour resin in the end of 2 sections of down spouts then use a connector to put the 2 sections together. Then you don't have to struggle putting resin in the opposite end. I absolutely love your ideas!
Another idea I had was the eye screw on each end and hang them with chains in the yard.
Your ideas are so stimulating! So creative!
Thank you, so much…
…for taking the time to share…
…your valuable experience 🍀
very helpful video.. Thank You
LetsTalkReal™️🎙️
Way to keep it REAL Nod! Your being Noticed for keeping your channel Real.
Highly informative!
I love everything you’re doing and want to thank you. Any thoughts regarding plastics pool noodles and edibles?
You ate so very helpful! I thank you so much for your detailed videos! It’s actually about sharing knowledge & experiences! Awesome job! Thanks !!!!!!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Pretty cool. Thanks good info.
Very good information. Like recycling, easy . I wonder about chemicals leeching from plastic gutters and the pool noodles. Thoughts?
Great Video! Some great ideas for how to get started. I did look on Etsy and there are numerous shops that have items for setting these up.
So you’re the reason I couldn’t find supplies!! You been hittin all my Lowe’s!! Lol
Hahahaha!
You're awesome. Thank you so much for sharing the best results from your numerous experiments for the benefit of all. I appreciate you.
Learning a lot !! Thank you!!!
You could just use long zip ties and attach them to a fence if you have a fenced in yard, etc
There is a program for your smart phone which will predict where the sun will be at any given time at any date future or past. I use it to cut back tree growth to have areas which will be sun lighted or as you suggest keeping things Mobil to move the plants as necessary to have more sun or in Southern States more shade. Professional photographers use this to plan their photography months in advance. It is called PhotoPill.
You could totally sell the mistake pieces! If you wanted to! Maybe as a seasonal “mistakes made to success” category. Discounted if you’d like but if they work they work!
Thanks Mike - you are a great teacher.
Mike, I learned a lot from you. Thank you. I learned about the pool noodle from you.
I am new to this channel and am really loving your content! Has anyone tried planting flowers using this method? I obviously want to try growing veggies and herbs this way but I have had so much trouble with the squirrels! Every year I plant flowers in my planters and they dig up all my dirt and destroy the plants. I’d love to have some flowers back in my planters. Thanks!
I planted flowers in a downspout - mostly snapdragon because I love them. I used a different fertilizer. I don't know that is necessary, but it had a slightly different NPK. They were wonderful. I also have a backyard full of squirrels. They mostly leave my greens alone- They have pulled them out, but I think it is more curiosity to get to the water(?), I just stick them back in and they continue to grow fine. They do love my tomatoes though. I am going to try wrapping tulle netting around them after they set this year.
I like how you describe from the start and the process of what worked and didnt and new ways. Can you list the certain veggies that can be done this way. I see lettuce, kale, bok, bail ? due to size and fruits or is it all kinds? as far as space inbetween and heaviness
this is so cool!! been going through your videos so excited because i work and live on a boat in the summer in alaska and want to have fresh greens :) a lot of the systems look tricky for space/power/water availability.. and the boat moving and rocking but i think this will work great!! and with the pool noodle we won’t be too worried about the plants falling out! thank you so much!! any tips for boat specific applications?
Yes!
I have several down spout (4”) growing outside, how do I keep rain from getting into my downspout and diluting my nutrients? I really like the system. thanks 😊
They have collars that go around the plant stem or you can put them under cover.
Thank you! do you show how to build your wall ladder?
Awesome thank you the information
So many new people? That is amazing!
GDay from Australia,
Thanks Mike for all your time and effort teaching your Thousands of viewers
I have been playing and experimenting with Hydroponics here in Newcastle NSW for a while now.
I have been using various containers with only limited success
In Australia the only rectangular plastic downspouts readily available is 4x2 I haven’t tried this yet, but have you found the small amount of nutrient that a 4 foot length of 4x2 downspout would hold would become too hot to allow nutrient uptake and affect the amount of dissolved oxygen available to the plants
Have you found nutrient temperature affects plant growth
PS I have tried adding frozen bottles of water and covering the containers with aluminium foil
Awesome! Yes, temperature affects it. Aside from the frozen bottle, I am working on a few things now as the weather warms up.
@@KeepOnGrowin GDay Mike thanks for the reply ,I will be interested in your experiments regarding keeping the nutrient cool.
Where getting into cooler weather here in Australia so hopefully I will have more luck then
@paulwilson4081 - the big green shop sells a 100 x 65 downpipe as well as the 100 x 50, (although not all their stores have it in stock). You could also try burying the pipe to keep it cooler. If you're growing leafy greens in summer, make sure it's not getting much full sun, or they'll just bolt really quickly - I have shade cloth over mine up on the sunny coast (they still do tend to bolt in summer: lettuce etc is probably best grown indoors in Oz summer - and select the non-hearting varieties, as you can at least crop the leaves continuously until they do bolt).
i like the design of your house boom
Thank you for sharing your experience.❤❤
Cool wood stove! Is that brass stove pipe or stainless? I use those blue lid dollar tree containers for fish tank filtration!! Thanks so much.
Thanks. It is a movie prop we made for our Steampunk adventures.
Great product!!! I was wondering how you actually make the starters for your plants? I would like to know which Playlist I should start with. Thanks
th-cam.com/video/kcWCnoHWtIk/w-d-xo.html
What kind of nutrients do you use? How often do you replace the water/add nutrients?
Yessss Mike!!! I started my first try by following you! With the heat gun, noodle styleee! You are the man. THANK YOU! Especially thanks for just being so genuine and generous with sharing your learning process with us! I’m fixing to pressure wash and start some micros just to spite the weather on this planet 😂 much love from the Virgin Islands… ❤
Awesome! I love it!
Thank you so much for your videos!!
Brilliant.
Thank you.
Good stuff
how does this work so well without a pump? Everything I’ve seen needs a pump?
Definitely makes the idea of starting less intimidating
🥰 New subbie here ! Can I use you system in a small greenhouse? There's not enough room in my house. Have you ever grown a small fruit tree with a non soil component? I hate dirt and worms 😖
I grow most things outdoors. No fruit trees though.
Did you say you lived in Island Pond? Vermont?
I'm inspired, thats for sure. Did you grow the radish micro greens on a clay pebble substrate? Thankyou
I am going to try it next when I harvest the bunch I have on there now.
I'm gonna give it a try too. cheers. @@KeepOnGrowin
You got nice stuff, air Force and living right pays off.
Love this! I live on a canal boat in the UK. Weather is too cold to grow outside yet. But, I am doing my research (UK sources, prices and equivalents) and planting some seeds.
My growing space is part of the boat roof until I get to build my blue barrel pontoon boat to tow behind. Then that becomes my grow space. But first I have to finish the refurb of the inside.
Really interested in using home made "compost tea" in place of store bought formula. Again it keeps the cost down. Have you done tnis? Did it work?
I have not had luck with it. Let me know if you do!
@@KeepOnGrowin Thanks for that. Will do.
Hi Laurie, im the UK as well! Have you found a suitable downpipe locally?
@@gunitawilson5134 Not as such. There are a number of "reclaim" yards that have lots of round pipes cheap. B&Q have rectangular pvc ventilation pipe in 1m lengths but it is £8+ each!!
I have started 3 sets of seeds using the take away style voxes in Poundland. 5 in a pack. Kale and Tomatoes have come up ok.
B&Q have some nice large totes/boxes that I think will make nice growing boxes. When I plant them out I will post a vid on my channel. About time I started using it again.
@@lauriestlyon8773 thank you for the reply! I have found Metal Food Safe grade Channels with separate lids from a company called Trusty Parts Ltd. Comes up to £23 for 3m length and seems to be cheaper than other options so far.. I have a flat space alongside a garden shed so I think downpipes would suit best, but maybe I should look into different tubs instead 🤷🏼♀️
thank you !
I am new at this. I have a question. I use pool and leca Rockwood, in 5 gallon tubs and buckets. I tried the fence post, but i was going to plant strawberries, and I caught it in time, but it leaked. So I use them in green house. But my plants inside water have a flim floating on top is this supposed to happen? If not, what do I need to do? I hate to waste all the nutrients and water. Thank you.
Are these the waxed Dixie cups?
Hi, love your videos. How are you handling vine veggies?
I don't do those, I have a very small yard.
How do you determine how many plants to grow in a given container?
So you don’t use the nets, clay rocks or the fast root grow pods just the pool noodle? How do you start the seedlings?
Microgreens
how many liters of water used for this setup? do you add water or is it enough until harvest?
so you can't grow them to full size with the down spout?
Thank you❤
Great video. How often do u change the solution.. As your not using pumps or a single resovor how do u change all your systems easy..
I don't
Can I do this in the summer in central florida?
Does the plastic or water heat up too bad? What about mold or algae? I'm super excited to do this. My mother loved gardening and was fantastic at it. It was our thing together, and when she passed away last year it has been hard. She was starting this in her basement in chicago before and I wanted to do it with her but I was so far away. I think if I did this, I would honor her. She helped ppl learn to grow and created green spaces in food deserts.
I grow in N FL. That was so awesome of your mom!
@KeepOnGrowin I saw your mylar bags. That's amazing. Do they help keep the water cool enough in the summers?
@@jasminemonroe304 Yes, but this is just my first experiment. It was getting up to 97F but has cooled down with 2 weeks of rain. Getting warmer again soon.
What is it about the downspout method vs. something like a storage tote, why it doesn't require aerating the water? I could understand that in the older version, the ends were just heated and bent closed, but not sealed - letting oxygen in, whereas the sealed endcaps style downspout is essentially airtight.
A pool noodle can not be air tight.
Is the pool noodles BPA free? If not are they safe to use to grow food? I'm a cancer patient and it's due to chemicals I've worked with so we're very careful of what we use in our home.
Everyone has to make that decision for themselves. The pool noodle is just holding the plant, it is not a grow medium like rockwool or coir.
ASK THE MANUFACTURER
Are there any krakke containers one could make/use that are from a cleaner material than plastics? One of the reasons I want to grow my own food is so that I can ensure my food is ultra-pure and doesn't come into contact with things I don't want in my body, like the microplastics the food at the grocery store are inundated with. :/ ty you so much for all your work and sharing your methods with everyone! Truly amazing. ☺️
@@bmb3283 Well, you could use mason jars. You'd cut out a hole in the metal lid to insert rockwool into the opening to hold the seedling. But good luck finding a reliable source of water that doesn't contain nanoparticles of microplastics.
Kindred spirits ..i look at everything and think how can i repurpose 😂😊❤
Awesome!
Hey Mike
Another Great Video. I would like to sell the gutter downspout planters at my local farmers market. Can you recommend a CNC table top router so I can make the thicker pvc board end caps? Thanks Mike for all the great info.👍
Sorry, I just got the cheapo starter. I had to cut one at a time but it cut over a thousand and is still kicking.
Just please make sure you get foodgrade plastics. Some plastics give poisonous stuff, that can get into your plants, and it can really affect your health. Best google it. Where I live, (Netherlands), plastic has a code number to show or it is safe for food or not. I think in the U.S.A. they have a system for that too.
Newbie, just found you. Where did you get the craft foam yo start plants with?
I don't start the plants in there. I transplant them into it, it is a slice of pool noodle.
Are you worried about the micro plastics from the pool noodles ?
My newer videos are trying to be more plastic free if that is a concern of yours.
I don't see thelink for the downspout please can you tell me where to find it thanks
amzn.to/430BDG0
Can you use the metal downspouts?
New to all of this...Live it the desert mountains of Arizona and I was wondering if strawberries would grow in these down spout planters you are making.
I don't have much luck, just a few. Check out a channel called Ditch the Flock. He does great with them.
North of 40 here closer to the Grand Canyon...Strawberries seem very sensitive to our fluctuations of heat/sun and 45 degree temp swings, but I know Strawberries in the right environment here, carefully maintained can be done!!! ( Strawberry greens are edible!);)
Thank you Keep on growing, I appreciate the highlighted comment, I want to offer anyone reading this any question per growing in the harsh AZ climate, as many years now (I profess, I am no professor:) I am getting a firm hold on mitigation of the constant challenges the great Southwest can give a grower!! I grow most of the year in my outdoor garden enclosure! + Winter starts about 10/feet across and at level with my wood stove utilizing rechargeable LED magnetic strategically placed lights all night, I was amazed at the success with a (really) almost NO shoestring budget, ha.
(Thinking of starting a small channel just for this as I have only seen a couple of growers in the real (again harsh)* High Desert, doing it well...I also haul water most of the year to my land (Catch rain water via gutters as able, very long rainy winter thus year made it like almost had a normal garden+ya know just turn on the water... So many take it for granted. )
What if I used Aluminum downspouts, instead of PVC?? Anyone see any reason I would not want to use Aluminum. I can see the higher thermal transfer of heat through the metal, may be limiting factor in summer. Will I be making aluminum to toxic levels in my nutrients??
Cool mission
What's in the nutrient solution??
Where do you get it?
amzn.to/49oJFN2
Had a quick question, just starting out & would like some input as to what nutrients are preferred for a 5 gallon bucket hydroponic system. Or is just plain water preferred...tia
Definitely not just water:
th-cam.com/video/SaN6Dlf2hCg/w-d-xo.html
If you put this outside, ... what happens when it hits 90+ degrees (F)? Won't that cook the plants? And how do you avoid this?
And can you get these hydroponics to work on producer plants like tomatoes, melons, cucs, etc? (Other than salad stuffs)?
Using the small containers, you can move them around. If the space is too hot, move to a more shaded area. Check out "Together We Grow" , he grows using hydroponics in Nevada, I think that is more your climate.
@@KeepOnGrowin Thank you very much. I will take a look, nd you did guess my climate very well.
Are there any plants that you can’t use this method ?
Yes. Just Google plants for hydroponic growing.
Can you use aluminum downspouts and gutters
I have never tried them.
What can I grow if I can't tolerate greens [except extremely small amounts.