Building A Floating Hydroponic Garden PDF
Building A Floating Hydroponic Garden PDF
Building A Floating Hydroponic Garden PDF
Construction Steps
Build a rectangular frame using 2-by-6-inch or
2-by-8-inch treated lumber. The frame should
be 4 feet, 1-inch wide by 8 feet, 1-inch long.
This size frame eliminates the need to trim the
floating styrofoam, however, the size can be
varied to suit personal needs.
Line the frame with 6-mil polyethylene to form
a trough to contain the nutrient solution. Be sure
the site is level and free of any debris, which
could puncture the polyethylene.
Secure one end and side of the liner to the top
edge of the frame with 1-by-2 inch furring strips
or lattice using wood screws or small nails.
1. this is document HS-943, a publication of the Horticultural Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida. Publication Date: March 2001. Revision Date: September 2003. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Michael Sweat, county extension director, Baker County, Richard Tyson, extension agent II, Seminole County, and Bob Hochmuth, extension agent IV,
North Florida Research and Education Center Suwannee Valley, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University
of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative
Extension Service/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/University of Florida/Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean.
Container Choices
This publication guides you in the steps to build
a 4x8 ft floating garden using wood and a plastic
liner. Many simple containers can also be used to
make a floating garden. Examples include: children's
pools (kiddie pools), small plastic storage containers,
trash cans, and buckets. Many shapes and sizes of
containers will work, but they should be able to
maintain a 4-6 inch depth of nutrient solution for the
best success.
Figure 5. Hydroponic lettuce root system.
New Research
Crops
Several leafy salad crops (romaine, boston, bibb,
& leafy lettuces, Figure 6) grow well during the cool
season. There are fewer crop options for the warm
season, however, basil and some cut-flowers, like
Zinnia and sunflowers have done well. Other crops
you could experiment with are watercress, cucumbers
(requires trellis), herbs, and some flowers. Growing
Additional Resources
For more information on hydroponic production,
please visit our website at http://nfrec-sv.ifas.ufl.edu.
Residents in Florida can view a video on the topic of
Building a Hydroponic Floating Garden by
contacting the local County Extension office. A copy
of this video may also be purchased for $15.00, plus
tax, by contacting the IFAS Bookstore at (352)
392-1764 or online at http://www.ifasbooks.ufl.edu.
Hydroponic Suppliers
Aquatic Ecosystems, Inc. http://aquaticeco.com 1-877-347-4788 - net pots,
hobby kits, hydroponic supplies.
Hydrogardens, Inc. http://www.hydrogardens.com 1-800-634-6362 - net
pots, hydroponic supplies.
Verti-Gro, Inc. - http://www.vertigro.com
1-352-347-9888 - vertical hydroponic gardening
supplies.
CropKing, Inc. - http://www.cropking.com
1-800-321-5656 - hydroponic supplies, hobby
greenhouses.
Worm's Way, Inc. - http://www.wormsway.com
1-800-283-9676 - hydroponic supplies, hobby kits.
Simply Hydroponics http://www.simplyhydro.com 1-727-531-5355 hydroponic supplies, hobby kits.
Homegrown Hydroponics
http://www.growcrazy.com - 1-888-833-4769
hydroponic supplies, hobby kits, books, fertilizers etc.
Note: This is a partial list of suppliers of
hydroponic materials and supplies. Mention of the
above suppliers is not intended to be an endorsement
of their product or a preference over other suppliers.