Hydroponics in a SHTF or WROL Situation

I keep seeing more and more videos on You Tube and writings in blogs about preparing for some type of Armageddon. With the way things are going I can see why some people are really getting concerned. If you really think about it, most of us rely heavily on our local grocery store. If society broke down for what ever reason could you feed you and your family for a year, a month, a week?

I not talking about a bad storm that knocks out your power for a few days. I'm referring to a collapse of society that lasts a year or more. A real Mad Max-The Road Warrior, gun toting bandits out to steal the remaining few drops of gasoline, and YOUR FOOD.

Happy New Years! - I have questions

Happy New Years everyone! Here's to 2011 being the best year yet. :)

As you know I am getting ready for a new project. I want to make an indoor hydroponic herb garden. I'm thinking of making it a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) type system. My main reason is I want to design a new NFT system because I think it will be a lot of fun. The second reason is from what I've read it is an excellent system for growing herbs.

My major worry is unlike most systems NFT systems are prone to catastrophic failure in the event of a power outage. Maybe I can design some type of a back-up system just for such an event. Living in N.W. Ohio we have had power outages before but fortunately not very often.

My questions are, what are you thoughts about NFT systems? Have you used one? If so, do you have any advice for me? Also I would like to hear suggestions on what herbs you think I should grow and why.

Thanks for checking in and see you next year.

Merry Christmas!

Sorry I haven't posted anything on here in a while. I haven't made any new Hydroponic videos lately but I have answered many questions recently. I'm guessing if someone has a question maybe other people have similar questions. Over the next few days I will be posting the advice from these communications in the hopes it will also help others.

In other news I hope to start a new series of video about having an indoor herb garden. Since we're well into the winter season I really miss gardening and having home grown fresh herbs. I want to set up a small indoor hydroponic home built garden using a combination of natural sunlight and florescent lighting. I'm checking into what herbs would be best for low light indoor gardening.  

For anyone who has stopped by to read and follow my blog I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Sure To Grow Promo You Tube Contest WINNER!

http://www.hydroponicsfriend.com

This is my first submission for Sure To Grow's You Tube contest Show Some Love, and I WON!!!

Going from Hydroponics to soil you can see the roots growing right through the STG Cube.

Going from Soil to Hydroponics, even after a couple weeks the surface of the STG Cube is still white and clean.

This video was made mostly with out takes and extra footage from my other videos. You will see I use STG Cubes in many of my videos. Please explore my Youtube channel and take a look around, I think you will enjoy them.

Have Fun! More videos on the way.

Easy To Build Hydroponics System: The Percolator

http://HydroponicsFriend.com

What do you do with your old plastic coffee can. Build a mini Hydroponics system of course.

A Hydroponics system built into a coffee can that sounds like a percolator while it's running, how funny is that?

The piece of air tube going into the home made lift pump is from a small aquarium air pump. The tube comming out of the side goes right into the center of the net pot. The solution splashes onto the Hydroton right next to the plant stem but not directly at it.

Build one of your own. It's a lot of fun!
See more videos on my You Tube Channel.

Hydroponics Transplant for my Home Made Ebb and Flow System

http://HydroponicsFriend.com

This is how I transplant sprouts into Sure To Grow cubes.
It is very much like rockwool and other growing media.

Once the sprout is "transplanted" it can be inserted into whatever
type of hydroponic system you may be using.

In my case, the cilantro seeds would not sprout in the cube.
Other seeds I used in the cubes took right off no problem.
Sprouting seeds in a paper towel is a system I am familiar with.
Some times it's better to resort back to home TURF.
(Another bad gardening joke)
Check out my Youtube Channel to see more Hydroponics videos

Gardening Intro: Hydroponics and Square Foot Gardening.

http://HydroponicsFriend.com

This is an introduction video of a series about my experiments having to do with Square Foot Gardening and Hydroponics. I haven't even considered going back to typical row gardening after discovering the ease of Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening Method. Have a look for your self at. http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

Hydroponics is something new to me. I've read about it for years and decided to give it a try for myself. I will be releasing more videos as the growing season progresses, success or failure. Either way I think we will all learn something. There is a lot of information on the web and here on You Tube and I hope to add to it in a constructive way.

I welcome any HELPFUL comments and suggestions. This was my first Hydroponics video on You Tube.