- 1). Prepare the base for the floating garden. This will be the main pool and is the essential part of your hydroponic garden. You can build a framework of 2-inch by 8-inch boards nailed together to make a 4-foot by 8-foot frame, and then line the frame with thick plastic. You can also use something as simple as a child's wading pool or an old bathtub for your garden. Whatever you choose, be sure it is clean.
- 2). Check your base for leaks. The easiest way to do this is to place it in a dry area, fill it, then wait for an hour to see if any areas show signs of leaking. Use a 6-mm-thick plastic liner to cover the interior of the garden if you find any leaks.
- 3). Cut a sheet of 1-inch-thick Styrofoam to fit inside the pool area. There should be a small gap all the way around the edges of the foam when you place it inside the frame.
- 4). Locate the base in an area suitable for the type of plants you wish to grow. In most cases, this will be a spot in full sun, similar to the type of spot you would choose to plant a conventional garden.
- 5). Mix enough nutrient solution to fill the entire garden frame to within 1 inch of the top of the frame. To make the solution, use 1 tbsp. of Epsom salts and 2 tbsp. of water-soluble fertilizer for each gallon of water. Mix thoroughly before pouring the solution into the frame.
- 6). Cut holes for the net pots in the Styrofoam sheet. These should be large enough to allow the pot to reach the water, but not so big that the pots fall through into the solution. Float the Styrofoam on the nutrient solution.
- 7). Place one seedling in each pot. Support the stems with cotton, if necessary. Place each pot in one of the holes in the Styrofoam to complete the garden.
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