Hydroponic Kale and Lettuce (started 12/27/17)

Thanks Sjoerd...we ate more this eve
.made my sauteed spinach and kale with onions and garlic (only the kale was mine...hehe). Hubby is amazed. Oh the juice bottle has the solution for the lettuce and kale. There are 3 holes that I stuffed them in and use the walmart bag to keep the light from the water. That last pic there..its in a plastic lettuce container with insulation that I use as cover for the container and holes foe the net pots. I placed the container filled with solution in a shoe box to hide it from the light...since these tomatoes are supposed to be no taller than 2 ft..i placed them in with the lettuce/kale for indoors...i use the Kratky method. The others are going outside..in april.

 

Thanks for that reply--I see what you are doing.
I'll bet that your hubby will one day stop being amazed...and recognize that you are not just a housewife that dabbles in veg, but are a serious gardener. hahaha. Actually, I'll bet he already knows that.

I looked up and read about the Kratky method. It is quite interesting.

 

LoL...i think he already does as well. Yes it is...almost a set it and enjoy it method. My brain is on overload. So much to put in containers....lol.

 

Well Hummer, overload or not...just hang in there.
You do such great work.

 

Thank you Sjoerd. These were started 1/28/18...today's update..This is the lettuce container/turned hydroponic container. I use insulation sheets and cut them to size and then cut holes for the net pots.

 

Those lil babies are just looking so healthy.
I am liking your technique.

 

Thanks, I definitely baby them enough.

 

Are you harvesting the leaves or the whole plant ? I pick the outermost leaves so it will continue to produce. Try buttercrunch lettuce. It is a short thick compact plant that should do well in your system. It is a heavy producer. I pick mine about every three to four days in the summertime. Red oak leaf is another good producer and is pretty too.

 

Mostly the whole plant because I'm not harvesting fast enough...i have very different babies, from Baker Creek, sprouting now!! One is dark red and some are speckled...stay tuned for those pics...our last frost date is today, but those tomato babies won't go out until probably late next week. I need room for the lettuces.

 

Update 3/30/18: Ok today is harvest day for the lettuce from 1/28/18.
Before:



After:



The Harvest: Really nice harvest..more than enough for us...left some for later.

 

Your produce looks great hummerbum!! What are you doing for light?

 

Thanks Eileen & Cayuga....it was great to eat our own lettuce, kale, turnip greens in a salad. My hubby even loved it and said that i need to grow more...I told him, "they are on the way". lmbo.
Cayuga...I use grow lights...if you look at my other pics under "Help with leggy tomatoes", I believe you can see the colors on some of my pics. I use LED for all the colors the plants need once they grow their set of true leaves.

 

Those harvestables are looking scrumptious, Hummer.
Eating your veg would be like eating restaurant quality veg.
I remain seriously impressed by your work there.

 

Oh they were restaurant quality to me. Planting, nurturing & watching seeds become something pleasing for and to your family. (sounds like having a baby...lol) Hubby was so impressed. Thank you for kind words.