A tower garden is an indoor garden system very popular for home growers. Also called a window farm, a tower garden is a vertical planter used for growing herbs and vegetables. Popular for home growers since they are simple to use and use a small amount of space.
Tower gardens are similar to rise gardens. A hydroponic garden tower is a type of vertical hydroponics in which water flows through the plant roots from the top. When compared to soil gardening and other hydroponic systems, it can produce up to triple the harvest using less space and water. But it can have higher initial operating costs, can be more susceptible to outages, and is less compatible with plant types.
Benefits of hydroponic garden towers
Grow Plants In Less Space
Conserves Water Resources
More Plant Growth And More Harvest
How does a hydroponic tower garden work?
The nutrient water reservoir of a hydroponic tower is filled with a nutrient-rich solution. This solution is transported to a top perforated reservoir via a water hose and a submersible water pump. The water then returns to the reservoir and is circulated throughout the system.
Hydroponic towers are usually located indoors, but can also grow well in an outdoor space in greenhouse conditions. They are usually applied in commercial settings to take advantage of the minimal space requirements.
What grows best in a tower garden?
Like most other hydroponic systems, tower gardens are optimized to grow leafy greens on a commercial scale. However, growers have successfully grown tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries at scale! People growing at home can also experiment with shallow root veggies like turnips and radishes.
Top 5 crops for your hydroponic garden tower
Kale
Offering vitamin C, calcium, and potassium, kale is the perfect indoor crop. It will help you to keep your immune system healthy all year long. This leafy green comes in many shapes, colors, and textures, and it can be prepped in a variety of ways.
Whether you decide to grow Curly kale, Lacinato kale, or Red Russian kale, start by planting about four seeds per rock wool cube. Seeds should germinate within 1-2 weeks and will then be ready for transplant into your tower. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, your kale may be ready to harvest in as little as one month’s time.
Basil
When starting to grow basil, we recommend planting about six seeds per rock wool cube. They should germinate within a week. After this happens, place the seedlings outside in the sun or under a grow light to increase their hardiness. They should be ready to transplant two weeks after sprouting.
Chives
Chives require cooler conditions (around 60˚F) to germinate and can take as long as three weeks to sprout. We recommend planting about four seeds per rock wool cube. Your seeds should be kept in a dark, cool place until they germinate. Your chives should be ready to transplant about two weeks after sprouting.
Spinach
Harvest spinach as soon as the leaves are big enough to eat. Cut the outer leaves first to encourage continued production. Regular harvests will extend your plant’s life cycle. But if you notice signs of sudden vertical growth, harvest the entire plant to prevent the remaining leaves from becoming bitter.
Swiss Chard
When starting Swiss chard, plant about 4 seeds per rock wool cube. Seeds should germinate within 1–2 weeks. And seedlings should be ready to transplant 2–3 weeks after sprouting. Because it grows tall, we recommend planting Swiss chard in the top section of your tower.
Hydroponic Towers on Hydrobuilder.com
ExoTower Hydroponic Garden Tower
The ExoTower is a great starter kit for beginners. It is a modular, hydroponic growing system that can grow up to 28 plants, veggies, leafy greens, herbs, micro greens, and flowers. It does all this in less than two square feet.
No matter if you are brand new to growing your own plants at home, or a seasoned expert, ExoTower is a perfect choice! Our modular, vertical design requires minimal space in your home and can be expanded as your needs grow.
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or high-rise, the ExoTower provides a soil-free solution to home gardening. Enjoy the literal fruits of your labor without getting your hands dirty. This self-watering hydroponic system makes it easy for anyone to harvest fresh farm-quality produce from the comfort of their own home.
The ExoTower kit includes the reservoir, net pots, water pump, tubing, and more. It has everything you need to get started except for seed pods and an LED grow light if you plan on using one.
Final thoughts on hydroponic tower gardens
A hydroponic tower can be an incredibly rewarding addition to an outdoor garden or within a home. When done correctly, you’ll be amazed at the large harvests. Even the most basic models are able to produce large quantities.
If you find yourself wanting to try a new project during off-seasons, give a hydroponic tower garden a try! You will be amazed at how much you can grow within such a small space.
