Using Hydroponics In The Winter

With winter very much on our doorstep, now is the time to understand what changes you need to make to your hydroponic system. Being able to grow all year round is a major positive to hydroponics. But to do this you need to adapt that to a changing climate. In our latest article the hydroponic experts at MEGAPot take a look at using hydroponics in the winter.

What Is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a growing method for crops and plants. Utilising this method means that soil is eliminated from the process and is instead replaced with a growth medium. This growth medium allows the plants to soak up nutrients and have the protection to grow. All plants and crops are housed in a growing system which differ on size, complication of build and also how nutrients are then delivered. All with the same view of ensuring that yields are maximised.

What To Look For In The Winter?

Now that winter is approaching we need to start looking at what you can do to benefit your plants and crops growth during these colder months. As with all growing, adaptations need to be taken, as well as more specific things to consider. Some of these consideration points when using hydroponics in the winter are the following:-

Watch The Temperatures

With temperatures in the winter usually plummeting overnight and then becoming slightly warmer in the day it is important that you watch the temperature in your growth room. When rooms drop below 19 degrees this can really impact the rate at which plants are able to grow and develop. This can be avoided also by using a nutrient solution which is slightly warmer in order to generate further growth in the plants. 

It is also advised that you should not leave any plants on the floor, especially concrete. This can have a serious impact on root zone temperature. Which has been shown to affect growth. Overall during the winter it is required that you do keep a constant check on the temperature and adjust your situation accordingly. 

Ensure Good Circulation 

Air temperature is a problem that you may have to overcome within your grow room. To ensure this is not affecting your plants you need to make sure that you have proper circulation. This can help to make sure that you are getting good quality as well as slightly more heated air into your growth room.

One trick of the trade is to add CO2 to your grow room. This helps to trap heat within the growth room as well as help with overall yields. Exhale bags are advised as they will release specific amounts into the room which can last for up to 6 months all at one time.

Contain Light And Heat

As the nights draw in and also the lack of sun is apparent it is important to contain as much light and heat energy as possible. This helps with the overall growth cycle. To do this you will need to invest in insulation to trap all into one room. The cold air within your room will also tend to sink. This is why it is advised to place plants and systems off the floor to help attract warmed air.

Maintain Humidity 

Winter is the driest time of the year in regards to humidity. The air does become more brittle and this is furthered by the use of indoor heating systems which dry out the air even further. Growing hydroponically means that there is a lot of water around but the majority of it doesn’t do much for the air. Ensuring that your plants receive a light dusting of water is key.

To Conclude

Using hydroponics in the winter is not unheard of, and the great thing about this method is that you can also grow indoors. As with all growing in the winter you need to make the necessary adaptations to ensure that you plants are growing as healthy as possible. The ways we have listed above go a long way to achieving that. At MEGAPot we are hydroponic growing specialists with a keen focus on helping our users increase their yields. For more information on what services we offer please Contact Us.