Spinach has so many uses in cooking that it makes a wonderful crop to include in your hydroponic. It is easy to grow and normally creates an abundant harvest. Pest are not likely, but can be easily eradicated if necessary. Maintenance is easy as spinach grows best in a system using recycled hydroponic nutrients. Let’s explore growing spinach in your indoor hydroponic garden.

The material of choice for starting your spinach seeds is rock wool. Seeds are placed in drilled holes and then hung slightly above a hydroponic nutrient solution in and ebb and flow system. Germinating plants need raised slightly to allow more oxygen to reach their roots, as the rock wool is not a good conductor in this aspect. After the seeds have sprouted, they are moved to their permanent spot. Hydroponic gardeners normally allow twenty square inches per plant. If plants are placed too closely, they will start to choke each other. The hydroponic solution you use at this point is extremely important as no growing medium is needed with the ebb and flow system. Plants are placed on a netting-type material with their roots allowed to dangle in the solution. Go here Advanced Nutrients for a look at the kinds of hydroponic solution that are preferred.

Temperatures in the greenhouse should range from 68 degrees at night and 77 degrees during the day. Spinach prefers a cycle of twelve hours of light and twelve of dark. Depending on the time of year you set up your hydroponic garden, you may want to invest in gro lights to supplement the natural light within your greenhouse. Spinach is one plant you do not want to allow too much light to get to the roots. This will cause the development of mold that will kill your plants. If possible, provide some type of shade for the spinach in your hydroponic greenhouse.

Spinach tends to grow so quickly it is nearly impossible for any pests to establish colonies within the plants. Growing the plants in a greenhouse also reduces that chance. For that reason, pest control is rarely something the hydroponic gardener needs to worry about in regards to this vegetable. If there is a problem, however, hydroponics experts do not advocate using any commercial pest control products. There are specially formulated products such as Scorpion Juice that you can find at hydroponic supply stores, like Advanced Nutrients. These products work to eliminate pests without causing damage to your plants.

All in all, spinach is one of the most perfect starting points in your venture into hydroponic gardening in a greenhouse. The lack of variables required, ease of maintenance and abundance of spinach for harvest all add up to an incredibly satisfying experience.