Customer Reviews

How To Hydroponics

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've bought four hydroponic books to date and this is the third one I've read. It is packed with data and tells it like it is. I call it a left-brain booklet because it reads like a text book; which it is. This book turned me on to something I didn't know about - Aeroponics! Now I'm beginning to rethink my hydroponics plans and shall look more deeply into Aeroponics. Surprise, there was a great hint on how to grow hot peppers even hotter than usual. If you want to get excited about hydroponics first read "Hydroponics for Everyone" by Dr. Struan Sutherland. Then buy this book and don't skip over it; read it through. In the book "Hydroponics Soilless Gardening" by Richard Nicholls there were two paragraphs devoted to Aeroponics, but for some reason it didn't register with me what was being said. Keith Roberto not only explains Aeroponics but shows how to build a small inexpensive unit. One complaint I have is: in all three of these books that I've read, not one gave a hint as to the cost of the nutrient solutions and how often they need to be purchased for a small operation. After all, you've heard the phrase 'dirt cheap' but I bet in hydroponics you won't hear 'liquid nutrient cheap'. Even the simple construction projects looked tedious; so maybe purchasing kits will be more my style. Mr. Roberto does give a website to access for supplies. Some of the prices made me choke. My advice is to read before jumping into hydroponics. The next book I've purchased and will now read is "Hydroponic Tomatoes For the Home Gardener" by Howard M. Resh. After that I will digest all I've read and make a decision on which way to go; if any. As a very long-time soil organic gardener I know what good vegetables should taste like and it's not what we get from the supermarket. Will it be what I get from Hydroponics?

It is apparent from reading the publication that Keith is a well read and very experienced gardener. Contained in How-To-Hydroponics is everything you will need to start your own garden whether it be a small spare closet garden or an outdoor plantation.

The book begins by giving a brief overview of hydroponics and then discusses the needs of the plant and how the gardner should meet these needs. The topics in this area include how to maintain proper pH and temperature, lighting, oxygenation, humidity, and nutrition. The book even includes recipes for making your own nutrient solution for the more sophisticated gardners.

Keith then gives blueprints for 3 affordable gardens than anyone can accomplish. The three gardens are

"The Hydroponic Planter" : EXTREMELY easy and cheap. An idiot could build this one in a weekend!!! Perfect for beginners.

"The aeroponic Aerospring" : Offers the reader the chance to build a garden employing the most advanced technique known for growing. Aeroponics! Again, easy and cheap but will require slightly more mechanical ability. ie: measuring and fitting PVC piping on a very small scale. You can learn how to glue the pipes together by simply asking your Homedepot salesman. He will give you everything you need to do the job right.

"The PVC pipe hydroponic System(s)" : This system will allow the reader to build a system that will support as few as two plants to infinitum. Two size systems using 4 and 6 inch pipe are included. The skys the limit here. To build this system you will be required to make more precise cuts and a knowledge of the proper tools and fitting PVC piping is a definite plus.

All of these systems are "doable" by beginners. This is the only book I have seen on the topic that can have you growing in only 2 days.

It also includes lots of pictures and drawings to keep you on target. The pictures are black and white but suffice. If you are interested in color photos, the book is also avialable in pdf format from www.futuregarden.com at the same price.

Good luck and enjoy!

Keith Roberto does an excellent job covering all of the basics of soilfree gardening. This book is easy to understand for people like myself who have little knowledge of the subject. The essential components of a succesful soilfree garden are covered very well, such as the balance between lighting and nutrients and the chemical changes that occur in the growth process. All of this explained in "layman's terms" that we can all understand. Three well described sets of plans are included in the book which can get the reader on a small budget started. Indoors or Outside, using natural sunlight or artificial lighting, this book covers it all. I am looking forward to having a year-round fresh salad garden grown in my own garage!

When I bought this book I was very unsure about it. When I received it I found it was very well written and had very helpful pictures. After reading this book I was able to build my hydroponics system with confidence not worry, and I am not very good with my hands. This book is highly recomended.

Sure, its alittle expensive for the physical quality (probably made at kinko's!) but is a must-have for any new hyrdo'er and serves well as a reference on plant nutrient related subjects. I would have rated it a full 5 stars but the cheap black & white, low printed quality, and weak bind made opt for 4 stars.

(ljr@knology.net)Want to know how to calculate pump size? Want to know the required flow rate for you PVC Hydroponic garden 14 plants? Want to know where to buy supplies locally? This book is for you. It is not a hard bound book, but it covers the construction, from scratch, of three of the common beginner gardens. It covers "roots" from my level. Get it!

This book contains all you need to know whether you are a soil gardener looking to get into soilless growing or a total beginner. The author is very frank and gets right to the important details in a friendly voice and easy to understand style.

I've built all 3 systems and they are outperforming my soil garden by a factor of two to three times.

Very pleased - i recommend this book!

I had always wanted to get into hydroponic gardening, but the cost involved in setting up my own system is always what kept me from giving it a try. I was a complete beginner, and this book got me started growing very quickly, using easy to follow diagrams and concise instructions. I would highly recommend reading this book if you are thinking of getting into this exciting hobby!

Keith has included a multitude of information in this small guide, including complete plans for three simple but effective hydroponic systems. The PVC pipe system is easy to build, takes up little space, and is easy to manage. Happy Hydro-Gardening

p.s. there are some typos - but all in all it is very well written.

This book is excellent. It's short and reads like a textbook, but it tells you everything you need to know to get started with a hydroponic garden. If you are only going to get one book on hydroponics, get this one. It is excellent!