When John and I first started our hydroponic indoor garden with an array of systems from an NFT Lateral System to a Kratky method in repurposed jars and buckets, we were high on green dreams. Our goal was lofty but simple: to grow a staggering 50% or more of our veggies right in our storage room. Five months and many lessons later, our garden has morphed from a chaotic jungle into a mostly thriving garden, although we are certain we can do better.

This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. Learn more on my Affiliate Disclosure Page.

The Early Days: A Jungle of Lessons

In the beginning, our strategy was all about quantity. More plants, more food, right? Wrong. We filled every nook and cranny with a variety of plants, especially peppers—oh, the peppers! We planted them with the enthusiasm of squirrels in a nut store. But soon, our green friends were not just jostling for space but outright brawling for it. The lush canopy of leaves blocked light, stifled airflow, and invited a powdery mildew party (RSVP yes!). With some strategic intervention using neem oil and a lot of crossed fingers, we managed to save most of our garden, learning a vital lesson in the process: crowding is the enemy.

Spacing Out & Scaling Back

The more the merrier doesn’t apply in hydroponic gardens. We had to learn to give our plants their personal space—think of it as plant social distancing. We’ve just begun phasing out the older, space-hogging tenants to let the younger veggies have their sunbath. Pruning has become my new yoga. I can’t say I am a fan of the pruning process but am going to pretend that it’s helping me find my zen while I help my plants find their light.

Enter Interval Gardening: Our Savior

Just when we thought we had it all figured out, we stumbled upon the concept of interval gardening. It was a game-changer. This method wasn’t just about managing the chaos; it was about orchestrating a continual symphony of growth and harvest.

Remember when I mentioned that I wanted to grow 50% or more of our veggies indoors? My setbacks didn’t make this dream disappear. In fact, I am even more motivated to grow large quantities of healthy produce from home.

Here’s the scoop on why interval gardening is turning our hydroponic system from a frantic food factory into a serene stream of sustenance:

1. Continuous Harvests: The goal here is to avoid the “all at once” scenario where you end up with too much produce at the same time or, worse, long gaps with nothing to harvest.
2. Optimal Use of Space and Resources: By timing our plantings, we ensure that each plant has enough room to thrive without overshadowing its neighbors.
3. Disease and Stress Reduction: Fewer plants at any given time meant easier management, less disease, and happier, healthier plants.

How We Do Interval Gardening

1. Strategic Planning: We have begun to map out what we eat most and align our planting schedule to our diet, not the other way around. I can’t say we are there yet, but it’s a work in progress and we are already seeing results. I suspect we will never have to buy store bought lettuce again as an example.
2. Staggered Planting: We plant new seeds at intervals, ensuring that as one crop peaks, another is just getting started. For lettuces, we are trying to plant seeds every 2 weeks. For basil, and peppers we do this every few months.
3. Choosing the Right Varieties: For instance, instead of the towering indeterminate tomatoes that tried to escape our apartment, we now opt for micro dwarf varieties like ‘Tiny Tim’ that behave themselves. I’ve read some sources that say determinate is better and others say indeterminate is best for indoors. I think either will work depending on your needs. Tiny Tim and Red Robin varieties do not grow too high keeping them more compact in the tower.
4. Regular Monitoring and Adjusting: The key to success is keeping an eye on growth rates and adjusting your schedule accordingly.

Ideal Plant Varieties for Hydroponics

Expanding on choosing the right varieties, here are some more plant types where the typical variety might be too large for most hydroponic setups, but smaller, more suitable options exist:

• Cucumbers: Instead of traditional vining cucumbers, consider growing bush varieties like ‘Bush Pickle‘ or ‘Spacemaster‘, which are compact and ideal for limited spaces.
• Squash: ‘Bush Acorn’ and ‘Bush Zucchini’ are compact forms of squash that won’t take over your system like their sprawling cousins.
• Melons: Choose smaller, bush-type melons like ‘Minnesota Midget’ or ‘Jenny Lind’, which produce smaller fruits perfect for hydroponic success.
• Beans: Opt for bush varieties rather than pole beans. Varieties like ‘Topcrop’ or ‘Provider’ can thrive without the extensive support structures pole beans require.

Embracing New Techniques

Implementing interval gardening has taught us much about the rhythm of our garden and our life. It’s about balance—balancing our desires with our capacities, and our garden’s productivity with its health. We’ve learned to plan not just for the sake of planting, but for sustainable, manageable harvests that don’t leave us overwhelmed or underfed.

Final Thoughts for Fellow Green Thumbs

If you’re diving into hydroponics, think beyond just filling your space. Consider how each plant interacts within your ecosystem. Experiment with interval gardening to maintain a steady flow of produce. And always remember, in the world of hydroponics, sometimes less really is more. Happy gardening, fellow plant geeks!