An extra closet can make a great hydroponic grow room.
Hydroponics, the growing of plants without the use of soil, is a great way to bring a garden into your home. Although hydroponic gardens can be set up almost anywhere, converting one area into an enclosed grow space makes it easier, since you can control all aspects of growing, including temperature and lighting. A spare closet can be set up with a hydroponic garden without a lot of trouble, providing you with flowers, fruits or vegetables all year long. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove any carpet that is in the closet. Carpet holds moisture and will result in mold and mildew problems, as well as possible floor damage if you spill any water or if the system happens to leak.
2. Paint the entire closet bright white with a good quality flat latex paint. Include not only the walls, but also the floor and ceiling when you paint. This will add reflective light to the space and boost the growth of your plants.
3. Place shelves or tables along the walls to hold your plants. The size of these will depend on the overall size of your closet, but using shelves will make the care of your plants and hydroponic equipment much easier. Be sure the shelves are sturdy enough to hold your hydroponic system when it is filled with water. Leave plenty of access room so you can easily reach all of your plants.
4. Hang an exhaust fan from the ceiling. This is essential for removing heat from the small, enclosed space of a closet. You will either need to cut a hole in the door or wall so the hot, stale air can be vented out of the closet or put a stopper so that the closet door remains open about a foot. Hang a heavy blanket over the open area, leaving only enough space for the hot air from the top of the closet to be blown out over the blanket.
5. Set a fan on or near the floor to circulate the air in the closet. Proper air circulation will help to prevent problems with your plants from overcrowding or too high of a humidity level.
6. Attach hooks or brackets for your grow lights to a central point in the ceiling. In most cases you will want to hang a chain from the ceiling and connect your lights to the chain, so that the height of the lights is adjustable.
7. Install a digital weather station monitor in the back of the closet, where it will not be covered by plants or equipment. Use this to monitor conditions inside your converted closet. The temperature should remain between 65 and 80 F, with 70 to 75 being best for daytime and about 60 to 65 being ideal at night. Humidity should be kept between 40 and 60 percent.
8. Place your hydroponics system on the shelves in the closet, fill with nutrient solution as directed by the manufacturer and add your plants to begin your growing operations.
Tags: your plants, from ceiling, hold your, that closet
