[Hydro-Soil]

Hey All,

I'm looking for advice on setting up an indoor veggie garden using a 1K HPS lamp with a DIY cool-tube to help with heat. I also have a window A/C unit that will be able to keep the room cool without issues.

The veggies I'm looking for experience with include Broccoli, Cauliflower, Chinese Kale, Spinach, various lettuces and greens including dandelion and beet, beans, peas, zucchini and other squash. I'd also like to get a portion of the area used for strawberries at least.


I plan to run 'cycles' of crops that I can freeze or pressure-can for later use and I also need to have fresh salad greens readily available at all times of the year.

Since heat is an issue where I live I'm looking at the cool-tube plus going with at least one E&F table and eventually (I guess) several drip systems in different media?

If possible it would be extremely beneficial to be able to grow a Stevia bush in there as well.

My main concern is with the cool-tube. Though it's necessary for keeping the room cool with the given A/C, I won't have the luxury of cramming all my plants in close proximity to it.

I guess what I'm really asking is..... Is it possible to have a productive, self-sufficient, indoor garden with a 1K cool-tubed HPS or should I look for an alternative cooling method?
(Sorry to be so long-winded. )

[dragongrower]

I'm not using a 1000watt, but I would say you cant become 100% self sufficient with only a 1000w hps...
You cant use the hps to start up things like tomato plants, so you have them early outdoor?

[dubwise]

hydro- I use a 1000w hps for my veggies. My veggies are started in a seperate cabinet under a t5 then moved into either a waterfarm or ebb & flow system. This is my first run with this setup and so far so good! I have all tomatoes on my flood table and they're doing realy well (so far). Other plants we've been running in the waterfarms (still under 1000w hps) is cucumber, basil, oregano. All of which are doing pretty well.
I don't have a cool tube but do have a HVAC system in this room and it does a pretty good job at keeping temps right. We're not quite in to the summer here yet, so we'll see how well the setup does in July, August, Sept. With a cool tube, you should be in good shape. Best of luck to you.

[Wait...What?]

one e&f table and several drip systems under a single 1k hps? go for two 600s on a mover since you need to cover some area.

kole crops love nft. they really really love nft. did i mention you'd have good luck growing lettuce and spinach using nft?

ive never tried a root crop [o.p. lists beets] using a hydroponic method.

beans and peas have completely different nutritional requirements from everything else you listed. if you're expecting to just throw lucas at everything you are in for a disappointment.

and then there are plant support issues. you would need to grow bush beans and dwarf peas. they'd still benefit from support even though they're only about 2 feet tall.

and...have you ever seen a mature squash plant? they are large and sprawling. you'd need a lamp on a mover just for a squash plant!

cukes want more N than either maters or peppers. maters want more Ca and peppers want more Mg.

[Hydro-Soil]

Originally Posted by Wait...What?

one e&f table and several drip systems under a single 1k hps? go for two 600s on a mover since you need to cover some area.

kole crops love nft. they really really love nft. did i mention you'd have good luck growing lettuce and spinach using nft?

ive never tried a root crop [o.p. lists beets] using a hydroponic method.

beans and peas have completely different nutritional requirements from everything else you listed. if you're expecting to just throw lucas at everything you are in for a disappointment.

and then there are plant support issues. you would need to grow bush beans and dwarf peas. they'd still benefit from support even though they're only about 2 feet tall.

and...have you ever seen a mature squash plant? they are large and sprawling. you'd need a lamp on a mover just for a squash plant!

cukes want more N than either maters or peppers. maters want more Ca and peppers want more Mg.

This is the information I'm looking for. Thanks.
I only have the 1 light though so for now I was thinking of a 2x4 E&F tray to start. The light mover Idea is interesting for sure. A likely first upgrade.

I've poked around and really haven't found a great place with all the nute requirements for each veggie. Though FNG and FNB are great nutes they are indeed specific. LOL I was planning on using additional nutes to supplement and am considering picking up a 3-part run of the Flora.

So far I was planning on finding what grows well together and setting up runs that way. The info you provided is a great place to start. Thanks!

Yes, A couple of small drip systems for the tuber type plants and such that need sand or perlite. Possibly on the ends? I'm only feeding 3-4 people here and there are only 2 adults. Crops will be frozen or canned for later use and other crops cycled in.

I have no grand ideas of going self-sufficient with a single 1K light I'm very aware it will take more. As we work with this though and spend less on food we'll be able to spend a bit more on equipment. It all takes time.

Lettuce doesn't like direct sunlight so I'm thinking of some type of light screen over one corner. NFT you say, eh?

The squash and other vine plants I was considering scrogging one at a time along hogwire attached to the wall. I can probably run them in a drip system while peas and beans run in the tray.

NO! I won't be growing any tomaters. They're actually not good for blood type A and B and my household feels significantly better, now that we're not eating them anymore. (A lot less smelly gas around here too! LOL)
But thanks for the input on them.

Things are coming together!



(P.S. As for growing outside..... it turns out there really aren't any NON-windy seasons around here. The wind velocities get over 80mph several times a week and it just rips the shit out of any plants that get over a few inches tall. I live in a rental and will not be paying for improvements on the place to block the wind.)