I’m very thankful for this video so Thank you very, very much! We have a new grand baby due in July, that’s the height of our garden season… I was at a loss as what to do about not being able to be home to water the garden… But it’s vital that we grow as much food as possible this year! This solves every problem for me!! I really am so grateful. ❤️💕🙏🏼
So glad you mentioned, in the buckets w/out a pump you do not have to get all the soil off the roots. Had to do this with a pump style and what a PIB it was! Thank you!
Your channel made me enthusiastic to try these grow towers in a Finnish environment, our summer is short so i want to try to make as many crops as I can, in this short time. This summer will be the test one, so i'll know what to do next time and i'm also planning to continue this indoors in the winter. Thanks for the useful tips and info 😊
Hi! Just built a couple of power towers and the start of my passive or any kind of hydroponic growing journey. Got some plants in and learning as I go. Your channel has helped transform my mindset and appreciate it 🙏
Great video Mike. I especially needed help with nutrient levels as I livin in a hot climate. I planted 6 cucumbers in a 17 gallon tub and in hindsight that was wayyyyy too many as I was adding nutrients 2x per week. Gets very expensive using General Hydropinics liquid 3-part Maxi Grow. I think im going to change to Master Blend. Thank you for all you do for this community.
BTW, i have used cat litter buckets in a similar method, just a hole in the lid. They are square, stackable, hold 4 gallons and free since i have a cat.
Here's another idea concerning the buckets. I make homemade wine. The juice buckets come in food grade 6 gallon buckets. Go to a winery and/or ask someone that makes their own wine if they would sell them.
Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge of growing food!!! I am overwhelmed with gophers, moles, female, 75 & disabled - - & this bucket information is a great!! idea for me!!! You are a great teacher!
Thank you for keeping it simple and affordable. Always had a huge garden in the dirt, but have severe arthritis now. Missing my garden, hopefully this is the answer❤
Thank you so much for all this information. I am just starting out with hydroponics this summer! I can use all the help I can get. This is just fascinating!
I really want to build your bucket tower next, but just finished a 30 gallon storage container build with 8 floating half pool noodles with 8 slits in each. I didn't have starts so I cut paper towel strips, folded them in half, sprinkled seeds at the top and folded the half on top and squeezed into the pool noodle slits. Hopefully those work as wicks and the seeds germinate. Thanks for the idea. ❤
Yes more vids on the finer points. Just started 2 buckets dealing with bugs bit of alge and securement, would be super helpful. Thanks so much for this idea. Genius and easy.
I am an older adult and unable to grow in ground gardens. I will try this method and possibly do a couple of indoor buckets with grow lights for winter also. Thank you.
I was thinking of a pvc pipe setup, install a bunch on a wall horizontally on top of each other and then connect them in an S pattern with little vertical tubes, but the little tubes don't just reach the bottom of the pipes, they stick out about halfway into the pipes. That way only when you fill the top pipe more than halfway the solution will start flowing down the tube to the bottom pipe and the process will repeat itself until all pipes are halfway filled, like a domino cascading effect.
Came across your channel, and i was looking for something like this. Im starting today. Also, if you have snails or slug problems, a thin copper ribbon around the bucket will deter them
I found I don't like the bucket towers. Requires too much of my attention to keep plants in stable position. Found hydro baskets that fit 5 gal buckets @ local hydroponic store. Best for tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. Growing hydro allows me to grow soilless year round!
Had too much coffee so here it goes. 😂 On the 3 bucket tower, drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket to snuggly fit a 3/4 PVC. Cut the PVC so it sticks up to where your max water level is. Secure the PVC by hot glue & or silicone or something better. Repeat for the second bucket, but make offsetting. Creating a waterfall effect. 3rd bucket, place a PVC coming out of the side at your max fill level. Place catch bucket under drain. Fill from top, until water spills over & fills buckets underneath. Leaks may be an issue. Filling would be easier.
I’m very interested in this. I’m a new gardener (this is my second season!) and this looks like a lot of fun! The buckets sound very accessible and I saw good grade buckets at Walmart for 3.50-4 dollars last night so I’m going to get 2 and start there. My only concern is I like tomatoes and peppers so I wonder what to do as they grow bigger because I have to get stakes for them in my regular potted garden I’m sure this is answered/shown on your channel somewhere so I will start looking. Thanks for this information sir, your a legend.
I bought food grade buckets and lids at a farm store for just a little bit of more money, mabbe two to three dollars so if you are just getting started it's not two expensive.
Sir, I have come to know about Bio-cement and process of making it from Bacillus Subtilis, which is also an organic fungicide used in farming. Biocement has self-healing properties. So, I think, instead of using bucket tower for kratky, can we make a tower structure from stone tiles and biocement concrete mixure?
Can this method with the bucket be used inside and be just as successful with growing food? Asking for those of use that don't have a yard or balcony or porch. 🤔
You can also use a diluted compost or Vermicompost tea if you make your own compost or vermicompost. That way, you don't have to spend hard earned money on nutrients.
Hi Mike, loving your videos. I want to do Kratky where you 'set and forget' and use enough nutrient up front that you don't need to top up. I can only find info on how many litres/ or gallons of nutrient solution you need per plant for lettuce. Do you have videos or knowledge that can give a guide of how many litres you need to grow other leafy veg in kratky (swiss chard, silverbeet, spinach, bok choy, etc). I'm sure 'it depends' but would love to know what you've found in your experience...
Do you have a video on how to take tomatoes or other starts from soil to Kratky hydroponics! I seem to be having problems doing this. Do I need to start with a diluted solution?
So do we have to worry about algae in the buckets? I live in Georgia and it gets hot and humid here in zone 8B.. Also, do you have to check the water level every day? Great videos! Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge!😊
Someone mentioned putting some vegetable oil in the nute solution water for killing mosquito larva... Would this ruin the pump or mess with its functionality ?
Professor been away for awhile. What’s the consensus on the Master Blend 20-20-20 1 step hydroponic nutrient mix? I would mainly be using for tomatoes & lettuce. I’ve been using the regular Master Blend 3 part mix. Thanks, Dave in PA
Usually yellowing is a pH issue. Most leafy greens grown hydroponically are happy between 5.0-6.0. Lower or higher and you can experience nutrient lockout.
@@ssjronin3972 I’ve never used that product before, but it should be as easy as using some sort of pH strip/probe in your solution to determine the pH, and adjust from there using a pH down (acid) buffer or pH up (base) buffer. Most likely the solution is too alkaline if you are using tap water, in which case you’ll need to bring the pH down with an acid (citric or phosphoric acids work well for this).
@@ssjronin3972 I replied earlier but my response disappeared. I have never used master blend product, but for most hydroponic nutrient solutions it should be as simple as testing the pH with a probe or test strips. From there you adjust accordingly with a pH up (base) or pH down (acid).
I have the same problem. My water temp is 75 and higher. How can I reduce it. I have shade cloth, fans, I put the buckets on a scaffolding and roll them in and out. Should I use a tank and start a pump to circulate the water. Help.
@@CharlesCorte-g6o I think the mylar around the buckets would help heaps. Combine with a shade cloth and that should be a big help. Avoid powered stuff if you can. Best-
Hype, means a lot of fast talking.. This video was nothing BUT a lot of fast talking…. Like spending 5 minutes talking about a simple foam Collar!!!! Better title would be, “All Hype “Guide” to Build a Grow Bucket for $10” Folks, save yourselves 10 minutes..
You are the change SIR.
I’m very thankful for this video so Thank you very, very much!
We have a new grand baby due in July, that’s the height of our garden season… I was at a loss as what to do about not being able to be home to water the garden…
But it’s vital that we grow as much food as possible this year! This solves every problem for me!! I really am so grateful.
❤️💕🙏🏼
So glad you mentioned, in the buckets w/out a pump you do not have to get all the soil off the roots. Had to do this with a pump style and what a PIB it was! Thank you!
Your channel made me enthusiastic to try these grow towers in a Finnish environment, our summer is short so i want to try to make as many crops as I can, in this short time.
This summer will be the test one, so i'll know what to do next time and i'm also planning to continue this indoors in the winter.
Thanks for the useful tips and info 😊
@@kayah005 how went it?
Hi! Just built a couple of power towers and the start of my passive or any kind of hydroponic growing journey. Got some plants in and learning as I go. Your channel has helped transform my mindset and appreciate it 🙏
Wow I am excited to try your method!!! Thanks for putting all this out there!
Great video Mike. I especially needed help with nutrient levels as I livin in a hot climate. I planted 6 cucumbers in a 17 gallon tub and in hindsight that was wayyyyy too many as I was adding nutrients 2x per week. Gets very expensive using General Hydropinics liquid 3-part Maxi Grow. I think im going to change to Master Blend. Thank you for all you do for this community.
BTW, i have used cat litter buckets in a similar method, just a hole in the lid. They are square, stackable, hold 4 gallons and free since i have a cat.
Here's another idea concerning the buckets. I make homemade wine. The juice buckets come in food grade 6 gallon buckets. Go to a winery and/or ask someone that makes their own wine if they would sell them.
Cool! Thanks!
Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge of growing food!!! I am overwhelmed with gophers, moles, female, 75 & disabled - - & this bucket information is a great!! idea for me!!! You are a great teacher!
Thank you for keeping it simple and affordable.
Always had a huge garden in the dirt, but have severe arthritis now.
Missing my garden, hopefully this is the answer❤
how do you trellis tomatoes when then get heavy? ❤
Thank you for sharing great ways to help us grow our own food!❤️
Thank you so much for all this information. I am just starting out with hydroponics this summer! I can use all the help I can get. This is just fascinating!
This will be my second growing season following you. Thanks for all the help!
I'm so thankful for you Mike not just in learning me because I get to teach others when I become knowledgeable ...Thank you
Thank you too! Doing my best!
Excellent information, Mike! I’m going to send this to my husband so we can build these.
I really want to build your bucket tower next, but just finished a 30 gallon storage container build with 8 floating half pool noodles with 8 slits in each. I didn't have starts so I cut paper towel strips, folded them in half, sprinkled seeds at the top and folded the half on top and squeezed into the pool noodle slits. Hopefully those work as wicks and the seeds germinate. Thanks for the idea. ❤
Yes more vids on the finer points. Just started 2 buckets dealing with bugs bit of alge and securement, would be super helpful. Thanks so much for this idea. Genius and easy.
I got my buckets, drill set and paint this week. Its my project for next week🎉
I am an older adult and unable to grow in ground gardens. I will try this method and possibly do a couple of indoor buckets with grow lights for winter also. Thank you.
Always stopped because of having to measure to get the solution right. Adding just one out I’ll give it another try. Ty❤
I was thinking of a pvc pipe setup, install a bunch on a wall horizontally on top of each other and then connect them in an S pattern with little vertical tubes, but the little tubes don't just reach the bottom of the pipes, they stick out about halfway into the pipes. That way only when you fill the top pipe more than halfway the solution will start flowing down the tube to the bottom pipe and the process will repeat itself until all pipes are halfway filled, like a domino cascading effect.
Came across your channel, and i was looking for something like this. Im starting today. Also, if you have snails or slug problems, a thin copper ribbon around the bucket will deter them
Thank you Mike. Cheers.
I found I don't like the bucket towers. Requires too much of my attention to keep plants in stable position.
Found hydro baskets that fit 5 gal buckets @ local hydroponic store. Best for tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
Growing hydro allows me to grow soilless year round!
Had too much coffee so here it goes. 😂
On the 3 bucket tower, drill a hole in the bottom of the bucket to snuggly fit a 3/4 PVC. Cut the PVC so it sticks up to where your max water level is. Secure the PVC by hot glue & or silicone or something better.
Repeat for the second bucket, but make offsetting. Creating a waterfall effect.
3rd bucket, place a PVC coming out of the side at your max fill level. Place catch bucket under drain.
Fill from top, until water spills over & fills buckets underneath. Leaks may be an issue. Filling would be easier.
Lol, thanks. Too much work.
I have to try this.
Awesome words of widsom, simplicity, tons of ideas, thank you. Cheers from Mexico.
Glad it was helpful!
Great vid 😊
I’m very interested in this. I’m a new gardener (this is my second season!) and this looks like a lot of fun! The buckets sound very accessible and I saw good grade buckets at Walmart for 3.50-4 dollars last night so I’m going to get 2 and start there. My only concern is I like tomatoes and peppers so I wonder what to do as they grow bigger because I have to get stakes for them in my regular potted garden I’m sure this is answered/shown on your channel somewhere so I will start looking. Thanks for this information sir, your a legend.
I bought food grade buckets and lids at a farm store for just a little bit of more money, mabbe two to three dollars so if you are just getting started it's not two expensive.
Nice!!
Thanks from the UK 🇬🇧 that helps
There are some water pipe insulation that is foam and could be used like the pool noodles.
Just made my first 6 hole bucket using these this because I had it in my garage. First try at tomatoes!
thank you for sharing this ❤you are my gardening kratky inspiration 🌍aloha from big island 🏝️
Thank you.
Sir, I have come to know about Bio-cement and process of making it from Bacillus Subtilis, which is also an organic fungicide used in farming. Biocement has self-healing properties. So, I think, instead of using bucket tower for kratky, can we make a tower structure from stone tiles and biocement concrete mixure?
That would be cool. I am giving thought to towers with more natural materials myself.
Can this method with the bucket be used inside and be just as successful with growing food? Asking for those of use that don't have a yard or balcony or porch. 🤔
Yes, many are doing it now. I have a Facebook group and people help each other out and show what they are doing. Many are indoor growers.
@@KeepOnGrowinthank you. Is your Facebook group also named "KeepOnGrowin?"
You can also use a diluted compost or Vermicompost tea if you make your own compost or vermicompost. That way, you don't have to spend hard earned money on nutrients.
Go for it. My experience is it always goes bad fast.
Do you have a post on microgreens? I've not done those. Any guidance specific to tomatoes? Excellent work, as always.
If I may ask, how would you recommend seed starting for this process?
Good stuff!
Hi Mike, loving your videos. I want to do Kratky where you 'set and forget' and use enough nutrient up front that you don't need to top up. I can only find info on how many litres/ or gallons of nutrient solution you need per plant for lettuce. Do you have videos or knowledge that can give a guide of how many litres you need to grow other leafy veg in kratky (swiss chard, silverbeet, spinach, bok choy, etc). I'm sure 'it depends' but would love to know what you've found in your experience...
only works with fast growing leafy greens like lettuce. If they have a longer growing season, they will need to be refilled.
Do you change water? What to do with leftover solution? Is it ok to water other plants (with soil)? Is it ok to reuse it? Thank! I love your channel.
Thanks! I do not change.
Do you have a video on how to take tomatoes or other starts from soil to Kratky hydroponics! I seem to be having problems doing this. Do I need to start with a diluted solution?
So do we have to worry about algae in the buckets? I live in Georgia and it gets hot and humid here in zone 8B.. Also, do you have to check the water level every day? Great videos! Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge!😊
Thank you, here you go: ua-cam.com/video/VPG6dbbn6FU/v-deo.html .
I live in north Florida so yeah, I know you can do it.
@KeepOnGrowin can you speak to this method and water temperature. I am in texas and want to do this outside patio in full sun.
I'm wondering how I can buy one of those self watering gadgets for growing the micro greens
mikevanduzee.etsy.com
@@KeepOnGrowin Awesome. Thanks 👍
you ever try to find/use a solar fountain or air pump?? adds to the cost but might have some benefits.
Yes, you can. My back yard is completely shaded though, I would have to run wires to my roof.
Would a solar pump be easy to added?
Someone mentioned putting some vegetable oil in the nute solution water for killing mosquito larva...
Would this ruin the pump or mess with its functionality ?
I have not done it so I can not say
Awesome thanks ❤
could u show how u build your bowl micro greens self watering systems please
Here you go,
ua-cam.com/play/PLk4IGbDM3vfpeW526tzOQLWDaT754xB2A.html&si=Fhw1-nzS-8jB301N
Is there a video on what nutrients are best or how to mix nutrients? I am going to start building some buckets towers and want to get growing.
ua-cam.com/video/SaN6Dlf2hCg/v-deo.html
Professor been away for awhile. What’s the consensus on the Master Blend 20-20-20 1 step hydroponic nutrient mix? I would mainly be using for tomatoes & lettuce. I’ve been using the regular Master Blend 3 part mix. Thanks, Dave in PA
I did not care for it. Back to the basics.
@@KeepOnGrowin Thank you, glad I already ordered a 5lb kit of regular Masterblend. Should be here by the 23rd.
@@cruikshank It was worth a try, worked ok on leafy greens but not as good.
I’m still having problems with the peppers dropping their blooms and my tomatoes well not bloom. Why?
Heat and/or chemical imbalance. FYI, municipal water has chlorine in it.
If you add a teaspoon of borax it will remove the chlorine and fluoride and give plants a little boron.
You might want to paint the red Firehouse buckets white or put a white paper collar or aluminum foil around them to reduce heating of the solution.
thank you
Or, dig a hole if you can and inset the buckets in it. Should keep the solution cooler.
What is the outside temperature is your grow area? Can I use a mister and fans?
High in the 90s F
My plants are yellowing with Master blend, what could i be doing wrong?
Usually yellowing is a pH issue. Most leafy greens grown hydroponically are happy between 5.0-6.0. Lower or higher and you can experience nutrient lockout.
Other factors can be water temperature, or simply too few nutrients in the solution
@@deOideDrecksau I followed master blend instructions. How do I change ph ?
@@ssjronin3972 I’ve never used that product before, but it should be as easy as using some sort of pH strip/probe in your solution to determine the pH, and adjust from there using a pH down (acid) buffer or pH up (base) buffer. Most likely the solution is too alkaline if you are using tap water, in which case you’ll need to bring the pH down with an acid (citric or phosphoric acids work well for this).
@@ssjronin3972 I replied earlier but my response disappeared.
I have never used master blend product, but for most hydroponic nutrient solutions it should be as simple as testing the pH with a probe or test strips. From there you adjust accordingly with a pH up (base) or pH down (acid).
Where are all these seeds coming from??? No links in description.
www.pntra.com/t/SENITklPRk5DSEdOSU9GQ0dLSUdOSw
I have no shade available in my space. Does that mean I can't do the buckets?
You might be able to use a shade cloth attached to some kind of structure that will keep them cooler from afternoon sun.
I think Mike used reflective mylar around his buckets once. It reflects the sunlight and keeps the water cooler.
I have the same problem. My water temp is 75 and higher. How can I reduce it. I have shade cloth, fans, I put the buckets on a scaffolding and roll them in and out. Should I use a tank and start a pump to circulate the water. Help.
@@CharlesCorte-g6o I think the mylar around the buckets would help heaps. Combine with a shade cloth and that should be a big help. Avoid powered stuff if you can. Best-
Hype, means a lot of fast talking..
This video was nothing BUT a lot of fast talking…. Like spending 5 minutes talking about a simple foam Collar!!!!
Better title would be, “All Hype “Guide” to Build a Grow Bucket for $10”
Folks, save yourselves 10 minutes..
Hype does not mean fast talking. It's ok if you do not understand. This has helped many, many people. Thanks for your opinion, grain of salt.