Planning stages

[ksm2002]

So, I'm currently on a military deployment and have been bored out of my mind and started researching hydroponic farming. I had played around with hydro a bit in highschool bio class and thought it was interesting and now, when I get back stateside and settled into my new home in San Diego, I plan to start my own setup.

I'm thinking alon the lines of a pvc pipe ebb and flow, will probably start off with the basics of tomatoes, bell peppers and cukes. Now, where my current project plan is going to get interesting is I have a 100w solar panel that I have been itching to find a use for and think it would be pretty cool to go off the grid with my hydro setup.

So far I think I have everything planned out as far as the hydro setup goes, the tricky part to me will be figuring out the whole wiring of the solar panel to a battery bank to a power inverter. If anybody has any suggestions on power inverters and such I am all ears. Also if anybody has any experience growing outdoors in Southern Cali and is willing to throw out pointers. Being from Michigan I am pretty excited at the possibility of being able to grow outside all year long.

Thanks much, I'll be posting pics and such once I get everything going, although it won't be for a lil while yet.

Kyle

[Freshwater]

Hey Kyle,

I'm in San Diego down in Ocean Beach, and I grow outdoors. Bell Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes... all in a drip system using bato buckets. I grow all my leafy greens in 30' of NFT pvc pipe.

Check out this thread to see what it is I run.

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/for...ucket-nft.html

I am by no means a pro, but I am rather proficient in what and how I grow. This year I hope to blow last years crop out of the water...

I am more than happy to answer any question I might be able to help you with. If you want to see a system running you are more than welcome to come by and check it out. The drip system should be going in the next 3 weeks I hope...seeds have sprouted...all 100 some odd of em'. Moving outdoors to harden soon!

Todd

[ksm2002]

Todd,
This might seem like a dumb question, but again, I've never lived out in Cali...But it is possible to grow outdoors year round right?

[Freshwater]

Not at all Kyle,

My NFT has been running nonstop since last year, great year round producer.

My drip system ran until Late November, I chose to pull the plants when they started not to produce. I had powdery mildew and blossom drop issues as well. What a great learning experience it was! That will not happen again!!

I am coming back with an upgraded system this year. Bigger res. More plants, better support system, monitoring system, R.O res. an much healthier seedlings. Not that last year they where bad, but this year they are great.

So yes, you can...I did not...well half..

Todd

[ksm2002]

Cool, thanks much, I'm sure once I get there and get my housing situated, I will be bouncing more questions and ideas off of you. Especially with you being local to where I'll be. By the way, while browsing Ebay for possible supplies I think I found my nute tank 42 gal Fresh water tank Camper Horse Trailer Concession - eBay (item 290348331494 end time Mar-03-11 09:45:17 PST)

[Freshwater]

Nice tank Kyle,

I like the size, I am looking for something around that as well. can you get into it to clean if need be?

Oh, and what part of S.D. are you going to be in?


Todd