I got to say, I've watched a ton of aquaponics videos. In fact I'm making a playlist called Gardening. But this is the first I've seen of the pool noodles method, and it is brilliant! Thanks much.
Pool noodles turn to dust when left in the sun. Just wondering how far they break down and if the chemical constituents end up in solution. I think I'd like to see some sort of chemical analysis of the crops just to make sure that there are no nasty radicals present. Otherwise I'm excited by this technique and it's economy.
As far as I know most pool noodles are made from EVA not PVC since kids will be playing with them. EVA is used in baby teething rings and medical supplies. They last pretty much an entire grow season and are cheap enough to replace often. In addition, the whole downspout is PVC and comes in direct contact with the water, probably more of a concern than the pool noodle that does not. There are always food grade NFT channels.
This should get more views. It's so practical and frugal for people working with a small space. I actually think this may be cleaner and less costly than using soil.
I have watched probably 30 videos on growing hydroponics but at the end when I looked everything up on Amazon it was really expensive to start out I can totally do this!! I'm glad I found you... ❤️🤗
Iv just started and yeah the food is most expensive and hard to find but once you get going you can use pretty much any tub,iv got tomatoes carrots turnips going
Thank you Mike for showing us how to do this on a budget! Not knowing what I was doing, I almost splurged on the Aerogarden Farm XL at 600 bucks.....good to see that I can do this much cheaper.
This looks amazing! I cannot afford a whole lot of expense, but want to have a garden I can move when I need to. This would totally work! Truly brilliant!
I HAVE WATCHED 100ths OF VIDEOS ABOUT THIS BUT IM STILL COMING BACK TO THIS NICE GUY. SORRY I HAVE TO USE CAPITAL LETTERS BUT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THIS IS THE BEST RU-vidR IN HIS AREA OF EXPERTISE. GOD BLESS YOU WITH JOY AND MONEY TO BRING YOUR VIDEOS TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE WORLD . YOUR METHODS AND FRUGAL CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WAY WE EAT ANF FIGHT HUNGER WORLDWIDE .
Thank you so much Margie! I am really just a simple guy like everyone else. Just trying to help as many people as I can and am excited that I can make some kind of impact because of the internet. My message would not spread without all of you. You rock! 😎🖒💚
Dude! You've just saved me a shit load of money! Thank you so much I wanted to figure out how to fix up some seedlings in youre a genius I am going to totally do this again thanks man!
I really want to thank you for your videos , I almost buy a lot of stuffs from Ebay like the peeps and buckets and then I found you .... THANK YOU ..... Greetings from Costa Rica.
Searching everywhere to find easy inexpensive way.. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Absolutely brilliant...have old pool noodles in the shed I’m going to start cutting up.. cheaper still! 😂
Mike, thank you. I wish I could show you the photos of the work I did today. I have the same colour noodle.. looks great with the plants. I transplanted sunflowers that I left too long sprouting the seeds (from last Sunday) some of them were about 10cm tall. I used the noodle and cut the top part of soft drink bottles and inverted them to hold the noodle bit. Let the roots dangle in the nutrient water mix. Left about 2 cms between water and base if stems. I’m in Cairns, far North Queensland living in a unit. My balcony faces north east so I get morning sun until about 11am. Being in the tropics, the sun is quite hot. I’ve successfully been gowing a herb garden since December .. parsley, basil, mint, shallots, spinach vine. Moving into hydroponics, kratky method.. would like to grow cucumbers, lettuce, capsicum, tomatoes. Can carrots grow hydroponically? Watching all your videos trying to learn, love your humor and style, great to watch. Thank you!
So good to hear all that, glad it is working out for your. As for the carrots, have a good laugh this afternoon and check out Jeb ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4Mqg8Af5U8A.html Thank you so much for watching, keep me updated!
Mike, Hilarious 😂 ...I’m going to grow a salad now! Just not in the same bucket! 👌 It’s 5am, my Kratky system is looking ok. Some have made it through the night others are looking wintered. I think they were too advanced to go from dirt too water and I fiddled with they a bit .. maybe too many in the one bottle too..?
Hi folks! This is a great idea, saves money and lots of hassle. But I'm a lil concerned about the pool noodle, which is plastics, and if there can be any health risks, especially used long term and under extended high heat, such as mid-summer sunlight? I remember an article I read some time ago on safety of growing food in plastic container using hydroponics, the author said something like "how much of an effect does heat and light have on plastics in the garden?" is not clear. I'm no expert by any means, but more of a consumer hoping those who are knowledgeable on this shed some light on this for us. Much appreciated.
After only 30 sec. of this video, I subscribed to your channel. Really love your ideas and since I'm on a budget your channel is now my gardening reference. Thank You So Much!
A pool noodle? That's awesome! I like that it's reusable. I'll probably switch to using one of those once I go through my jiffy pots starters. I'm using a soldering iron to recycle used keurig cups that I take home from work into baskets. Just a few holes in the bottom and side and it makes a small basket just a little bigger than the ones used in an aerogarden.
wanted to come on here to say : RHANK YOU i got my containers yesterday, i ordered from you and im just now about to put everything together. ( i was waiting for my seeds to get " legs" lmao.. thank so much and you even added pool noodle in for me :)
This is very good for people like me who want to try hydroponics without the cost. One small improvement that I made was to use a sharp knife and a chopping board instead of a scissors to cut the noodles.
I just love to watch your videos. Practically everything you use I have in my home even the noodles. Who would have thought... My house is filling up with plants in all kinds of containers. I am going to buy a downspout to try. I will be filling up my small greenhouse. This is so easy it is amazing. Thanks for all your videos
I Am Happy to See you in The same community as me and Encourage your Interrest in RU-vid Creator .I Like your Channel Garden I wanna try you Hydroponics methods and Gonna Stay Around it and help each other. Thank for your Creativity and Let’s GROW UP
About 5 years ago I started using pipe insulation...I was going to use pool noodles but they were more expensive than the pipe insulation...and to take up the space in the hole, I use backer-rod cut at an angle so it is adjustable...
Great job! Three questions: What's the container that you're using to hold the water? Is there a video on how you made that? And how often do you have to change the water?
I was wondering what the container was that he was putting the pool noodle pieces in as well. Scrolling through the comments trying to find the answer lol.
Thank you, Mike. I have been trying to find a system which will actually work to grow greens hydroponically on my windowsills. This looks perfect, but I am going to use vinyl containers painted black from the hardware store. I will let you know how it goes.
We're just getting started in hydroponics using an AeroGarden, but already have started making our own setups. This setup is great! Thanks for sharing.
Aw man if only I saw this a week sooner, I’d be $60 richer! But now I can grow so much more and don’t have to limit my sprouts to my AeroGarden! Thanks!!
Killing it man !! Awesome production- awesome method. Just the vid i needed as im building this tomorrow (finished my markets for the week) Im going to link this vid in my next upload . You rock Mike . Thank you 😊🌱
All of you guys rock! It is so cool that we can all share what we are doing and learn from each other. Hope it works out for you Pepe, I don't think I have had anyone in the land of Oz give it a go yet. Don't forget to check out Dr Kratky for the basics, I am a twisted version, lol. Have fun, I appreciate the love!
Are those gutter lengths? Do you have information listed of nutrient and conduit material used somewhere? Fantastic idea, so simple, wonder what other greens you can grow with that system.
It’s plastic or more specifically a polyethylene foam but has with all plastic most know are not biodegradable literally because of there amazing chemical resistance it’s like literally anything else that you would use in a grow that’s plastic, net pots or buckets Im genuinely confused that people don’t know that plastic is NOT biodegradable
@@evanlove3015 biodegradable isn't the same thing as potentially having a chemical interaction with fertilizers. I agree that most hydro nutes are unlikely to affect the pool noodles, but it is a valid question. Believe me, there are chemicals capable of degrading most grades of plastic. (But they won't be found in hydro nutes, and if they were, your buckets and other various equipment would be at risk, as well) The colorants used on these pool noodles could be a problem, but if you've ever eaten a potato grown in a conventional farm in the last half century, you've done a lot worse for yourself, in terms of chemical exposure, than you might by growing hydro with pool noodles. 😀
@@fatrobdouble ur right but unless your putting pure acetone or any superacids nothing negative is possible, same with the dye which is usually also a polymer and things that use it that aren’t polymers are probably at least in your grow plastic is everywhere
Actually, we still use the term sprouts. According to most Health Depts, a sprout is germinated with just water, usually in a jar. A mi rogreens is grown on or in some type of medium such as soil, coir, grow pad etc. Microgreens have less regulations than sprouts which are more prone to pathogens be ausr of the high humidity environment. Microgreens are trimmed above the grow medium thus less chance. 😎🖒
I’m so confused ... what is the white thing you put the plants in? How do I start from seed? You used pieces of a plant. Why didn’t you start from start to finish and listed each thing you used to put the plant in?
Because, silly, I was not trying to cram everything I have learned into one video. There are several other videos on my channel. There are plenty of long form boring videos out there if that is what you prefer, I respect that. You won't find that here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bYhwJIarjQ0.html
Hydroponic Gardening & More with Brent Have a great weekend, Brent! When I am not on the road so much, I am going to try to scale up, probably never to your level. You rock!
I could see this method working really well cut at the correct length for the top of an aquarium. I would modify it a little bit. Cut small holes in the bottom of the gutter for small neocardina shrimp and small fish fry to get in (so they can be protected from the adult fish which would normally eat alot of the fry. This keeps any damage to roots at a minimum. Also it allows for the circulation of the nitrate rich water below. I would use a sponge filter in the aquarium and either those silver metal racks for the tanks that allow for adjustments of the height above the tank and that way lights can be lowered or raised between the shelves. I haven't figured out what to use to adjust height of the light but it shouldn't be too hard using small chain or those nite ize gear ties maybe. If it was a free standing light holder with no rack, pvc cut as a stand would probably be my first attempt. Great content.
Love the inclusion of animals, both your editor/canine family member and others. Thank you very much for the introduction and references to Dr. Kratky dakineapproaches hydroponic method. My space to grow is very limited and I want to make this work without buying saws & drills. Rather than getting seeds, I plan to start this using live herb plants such as mint, thyme, oregano, basil. Do you suggest washing roots when removed from soil? To grow each patch of herbs (not aiming to maintain them as individual plants), could planter pots with drainage grids and saucers be used? Could black shelf liner be used to support root growth? Could Keurig "K" plastic coffee brewing cups, each which have a paper filter inside if really careful removing used grounds, with bottoms somehow cut be up-cycled&used instead of net pots? If I can't find pool noodles, other alternative suggestions?
Hi, What's your down spout hole diameter (1 - 7/8"?) vs the noodle diameter (usually 2 - 3/8"?). Additionally, would the same technique of using 2-3 seedling per hole work, until sufficiently big enough (root size) to be transplanted into their individual holes? Appreciate the feedback if you can, as I am setting up my own system in the Caribbean where I live. Regards. :)
Yes on the size hole (1 7/8"). Yes, I sometimes put 4 to 5 seedlings in each and thin them out when they are a week or two old, I eat the ones that I thin out. With pak choy, I leave two in each hole, but you can experiment.
I always wonder what all our plants absorb that we end up eating, things like micro plastic or whatever leeches out. Not that hydro is worse, we use so many things on or for our plants no matter how it’s grown it’s exposed to something “unnatural” Cool idea tho, I’ll definitely be trying it out… and I’ll consume it too, I just wonder…
Hey Mike can you show a video on step by step harvesting the seeds from say a bolted lettuce plant? I know in this video you showed pakchoi that has bolted and flowered but I’m still am not clear on how exactly how to get the seeds or where they are? If I could harvest my own seeds like this I would have a totally self sustaining lettuce grow op! Which would be amazing !! Thanks for your help! Love all your updated videos! I continue to refer people to your channel every day it seems. I’ll post my produce that I’m successfully growing and then everyone wants to know how and how to do it. Your videos answer all the questions I’ve had with hydroponics, Thank you 🥰🙏🏻🇨🇦 Happy Growing!!🐝
Awesome Leanne! Thank you. I actually have some pak choi seeds dried out that I had harvested and the seeds need to be collected. I will make a video on it. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Mike, I've been watching your vids (newcomer) really enjoying the content, thank you. With the downpipe hydroponics and the pool noodle; have you thought of keeping the cut outs from the down pipe holes and using then on top of the pool noodles to shelter them a little from the sun. Might make them last longer as less sun with get on them to degrade them.Occurred to me in my sleep at 3 this morning lolThanks again
Lol, 3am is when I get my best ideas. No, I have not thought of that, these downspouts are a few years old and those are long gone. I will give it some thought when I make some more. At only 2 cents per insert, I can have 200 spots going for only $2, gotta figure if it is worth my time to keep track of them. Thanks for the input, this is how we figure out new ways to create and grow, love it!
Hi Mike, im curious as to how "organic" the plants grow to be. Obviously the pool noodles are not reactive but they are made of inorganic materials. Is there any risk to plants with longer term exposure to pool noodle material??
I could not tell you, I am not a scientist and have not seen any studies. EVA is usually made without plastisizers which is the component in PVC that causes the leaching of toxins. Most hydroponic lettuce is grown on a Styrofoam raft which is in constant contact with the water.
I just found your video. This is amazing! I'll be trying this out in Sydney, Australia. Will keep on watching your channel and learn. Hope to set up my first small hydrponic next week.
Well i started some seedlings and transplanted them into noodles too early. Decided to buy some bigger plants at the store and cleaned off the dirt on their roots, they are doing well. Dealt with algae this week, now to make containers less see through, btw... Artist Latex paint is not opaque enough! Yes, i am havi g fun! Thanks for your YT channel.
Hey, i have a question for you. I like that this method practically cost nothing, I mean even the noodles are reusable. But does that mean I still need soil to turn my seeds into a seedling? Is there a way to make a seedling without soil so as to keep it 100% hydro? (without the rockwool too of course) Thanks
This was so interesting to watch! I live in an apartment and wanted to try growing basil hydroponically with a mason jar. Is there any chance this pool noodle method could work with a mason jar? If it did, could you post a vid about it? I would be so grateful
I don’t know if this has been asked. How healthy is the food if it has been grown in a metal gutter and chemical plastic or foam noodle? Honest question. Do you know of any safer options?
Yes, my channel has food grade materials if that concerns you. Look at my playlist where I used milk cartons. I made a grow box out of marble too, still have it. Lots of options.
@Jake Sangria Afaik uptake of "bad stuff" is a much more pronounced problem in hydro/aquaponics than it is in soil. There's also the difference in taste, due to the plants developing very differently in comparison. I don't see much reason to do vegetable hydroponics if you're not doing it out of curiosity, novelty or survival reasons. If you just want tasty vegetables, grow in soil.
@Jake Sangria I'd guess pool noodles are foamed polystyrol. There's probably no need for plasticizers, but I couldn't say for sure. I wouldn't be too concerned about it, as you are unlikely to eat a full plate of your vegetables every day. Also the styrofoam isn't in constant contact with the nutrient solution, I think. Be concerned about what the roots are in contact with. Thorough washing is something you do with all polymers in contact with your food (e.g. polymer water tank of a new coffee machine). Climate conditions are a great reason to look into hydroponics, I think.
@Jake Sangria If you don't eat the vegetables every day I generally wouldn't worry more than necessary. Polymerized styrol should be far too big of a molecule to be just sucked up by roots, I'm guessing. I'd think more about the plasticizers and the like, which is a possibility. What exactly do you think will accumulate in those plants? You could compare COD values of your hydroponic and soil grown tomatoes maybe? A uni lab near you will probably be willing to do it. It's a pretty quick test. GC is a lot more involved and expensive. But it's about oxidizing, maybe there's better tests for what you want to know. The only way to know for sure is testing.
The pool noodle is really cool, and much cheaper than other methods I've looked at, perfect for someone just getting started with it. The funny intro is what sold it for me haha, keep up the good work!
Your voice is a bit too soft and gravelly. It made it difficult to understand for people who have trouble hearing sounds of a lower register. Please consider putting subtitles. Thank you!
Pak choi and noodles? All I need is some shrimp. Yum. I've just planted some dandelion seeds that I've been harvesting because they are one of the most healthy plants to eat, and grow really quick, even here in England. Also nasturtiums. Leaves are nice but the flowers are better cause they have a tube full of nectar.
OH MAN, MIKE!!! I just had a massive brain fart that works with your system, making it almost cost free to start/grow seeds and microgreens. So I had to try it out!!! And holy freaken cow!!! It works!!! I don't have a channel of my own, but you do, so you can spread the word out to a hole lot more folks then I can. It's very easy and it fits perfectly with what your doing for other folks. In fact, I'd say it's almost stupid simple!!! Is there any way that I can touch base with ya Mike???
Yes but not gonna be fire but it does work if ya add a air stone and hook up to a sump in a 5 or 10 gallon container and let it run constantly chang water every week then it will work way better for weed or tomatoes
Brilliant! I was thinking about pool noodles as I was soaking my rockwool last night, after I had adjusted the Ph level with lemon juice! This is a whole level of non-fuss that is perfect. Thank you for sharing. New subscriber! I'm going to see if I can hunt down how you did the rain gutters.
This is genius. I've been looking for lightweight, cheap options. I wonder if I couldn't drill into a pool noodle and hang it on a fence with a small reservoir to use this for a Kratky method.
EVA is considered to be a safe alternative to PVC, as it doesn't require plasticizers like phthlates, and it's BPA free. However, a few years ago it was found that EVA foam contained formamide. Formamide is used to make the foam soft, but it's considered to be carcinogenic and a developmental toxin.
Great video Im no expert but one thing I do in my greenhouse is to limit my harvesting of leafy greens per plant and hardly ever have to replant. As long as I leave a few leaves on each plant they come back again and again it seems like the more I do this the quicker and thicker they grow. I'm thinking it is like when you prune a tomato and pinch out the suckers the plant reacts like it's life depends upon growing replacement leaves quicker and fuller to improve it's chances to survive. I like the pool toy idea, I have been using foam from fabric store cut into square pac man 1" cubes and by opening pac mans mouth I can tuck my seedlings in allowing the rooots to reach out to the nutrient level, As I also use the Kratkie Method with out pumps per say. Im useing fish for my nutrients and it is like you say set it and forget it till harvest time. Which like I said before with my harvesting methods has been for a few years now. I only lost crop and had to reset ounce due to weather snap that my passive system couldn't keep up with but I am in the process of adding a system of what I think are called dutch heaters where you take a can with a candle in it and place a clay pot over it so that air can move through it and it heats quit nicely from my experiments with them so far. Sorry for my long winded ness but hydroponics are my favorite since I found this method. Well keep the faith and you'r green thumb growing !
Lol, yes, I have to stop my wife from over harvesting some times. The plants need a few for photosynthesizing. Yeah, we do cut and come again on most of our plants.
