Root Rot Doesn’t Have to be a Death Sentence! Whether you are growing plants hydroponically or with soil, you may have encountered this insidious yet preventable problem called root rot. It can be devastating to notice in your plants, but once you learn the causes, you can easily prevent it from happening again. Keep reading to learn from our mistakes, and you can guarantee your plants will never have to suffer the fate of root rot! Table of Contents The Signs of Root Rot Root rot is known in gardening circles as a plant disease caused by a drainage or overwatering issue. In the words of my w ..read more

LED lighting has become insanely popular in the “home” indoor gardening niche, but the vast majority of commercial greenhouses are still reliant on a combination of Metal Halide (MH) and High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) grow lights. There are also quite a few home gardens, hydroponic and otherwise, that have yet to make the upgrade to LED lighting. In fact, not everyone sees the move to LED as an upgrade. Given their importance to commercial gardening and their proven track record with seasoned indoor growers, we felt it was time to look at the “best of the best” from the HPS grow lights available o ..read more

Creating an optimal environment for your plants is important for a healthy, robust harvest. One way to help create the plant’s natural environment is by using a grow tent in your hydroponic setup.  Using a grow tent for your hydroponic endeavor helps create the plant’s natural environment by using fans, lights, as well as providing an adequate supply of water and nutrition. Grow tents are popular because they allow creative use of growing spaces- allowing you to turn an unused garage or closet into a grow room!  Table of Contents Grow tents have risen in popularity due to their energ ..read more

In the words of my 7-year-old, blueberries make your body strong and healthy! Being delicious on their own, blueberry fruits are also high in antioxidants and excellent at removing free radicals from your body. Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K1, manganese, and beneficial plant compounds. Table of Contents Blueberries make a great addition to a healthy diet: eating them raw, mixed in a smoothie, or baked in a pie for a homemade treat. By adding blueberries to your diet, you may prevent heart disease, moderate your blood sugar levels, and improve brain health. Those tiny ber ..read more

We always knew a coconut was suitable for holding a tropical drink, but we never realized how helpful this fruit would be to our hydroponic growing. Instead of wasting perfectly good coconut husks while harvesting, innovators have found a way to create something called “Coco Coir,” a new growing medium in the hydroponics industry. Table of Contents What is Coco Coir? Coco Coir is made from ground-up coconut husks and literally means coconut fiber. This natural fiber is taken from the outer husk of a coconut. You are likely familiar with their use in household products such as brushes, doormats ..read more

Innovations in grow lighting technology have led to revolutionary changes in grow rooms and indoor gardening everywhere. Interestingly, despite there being no shortage of grow light manufacturers, there is only one company dedicated solely to making high-quality grow room glasses in the face of a steady rise in lighting intensity – Method Seven.  Table of Contents Method 7 is not your typical grow room glasses company. In fact, what’s typical for grow room glasses is that a brand with an identity in another part of the lighting or indoor-growing industry seeks additional revenue streams b ..read more

Growing hydroponic vegetables can produce the same freshness year-round as it would during peak harvest season. Instead of being limited to selling at farmer’s markets during the summer months, hydroponic gardeners can sell their goods anytime during the year. Many hydroponic gardeners develop quick relationships with their customers, who regularly come back. Specialty grocery stores also love hydroponic produce and will buy in bulk from the right grower. Hydroponic microgreens are popular with local restaurant chefs who add them to their signature dishes, adding pizzazz to their menu. Table o ..read more

Not all water is created equal, and when it comes to hydroponics, ensuring your water is chemical-free means healthier plants. How do you ensure the water you are using is free of impurities that may damage your plants? A water test is one way, another is to use a filter on your water. There are many water filtration systems out there, but the top-of-the-line system is Reverse Osmosis. Table of Contents How Does Reverse Osmosis Work This is where it gets a bit technical, but that is because the reverse osmosis technique is so efficient at eliminating byproducts from water. A high-pressure pump ..read more

Every now and again, even the hydroponic-enthusiast will grow something in soil, possibly craving the earthy goodness that is indelible to soil. Whether a houseplant or a small backyard summer garden, knowing some basic ins-and-outs about soil will help you grow a bountiful garden with luscious plants.  Table of Contents It may sound easy: buy some soil, plant some seeds, and get growing! It truly is, but the soil needs some extra TLC to make sure your plants grow healthy and strong. One way to do this is to make sure your soil has the proper balance of nutrients. A lot of problems with p ..read more

Potatoes are a hearty root vegetable loved by many for their versatility. Baked or fried, mashed or smashed, potatoes are delicious and filling. This starchy edible tuber packs a punch with a mix of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Potassium, B6, and fiber. It also lacks cholesterol, making the potato a healthy any-time treat.  Table of Contents If you’ve ever heard of the potato famine in Ireland, you know that a disease wrecked the potatoes’ crops from the soil. Hydroponic gardening takes away any potential of soil-borne illnesses to destroy the potato crop and allows for a year ..read more