As part of my never ending quest to clean things up and get some order around the homestead, I decided to start up the construction of another hydroponic garden system. Unlike the other hydroponic systems, this one is more or less being pieced together on the fly, utilizing some of the surplus material I have laying around. Just like the last successful HPG, I'm using sewer pipe since it allows me to use larger planters. But unlike the other unit, I'm using some frames that I was using to hold posts for growing plants vertically in the past. These posts look like some kind of lattice frame, having rungs that are perfect for holding the pipes. I do plan on stacking two pipes vertically on these posts, to get a vertical growing medium instead of building a table to accommodate the two pipes. This will allow me to put the twin pipe assembly against the fence, taking up a smaller footprint. To get things started I took a couple of the lattice posts and cut a couple of rungs from them at equal levels so when I set the pipes in them the pipes will be relatively level while still being cradled securely. The next thing I had to do in order to ensure stability of the posts while they hold these pipes, especially when they're filled with water and plants was to secure them to the fence. This was easily accomplished with simple conduit straps. I used wood screws to secure the straps around the poles that comprised the lattice posts to the 2x4's that make up the supporting structure of the fence. Even with the posts stuck in the ground, using the straps made sure that the posts can't tip or otherwise move any when under the loads they will be enduring. With the first pair of lattice posts secured and the first pair of pipes cradled within them, I decided to set up another unit since I still had some pipe and more lattice posts. I repeated the same process with the cutting of the rungs and securing with pipe straps. With the 2nd HPG assembly set up, I moved on to one more little thing I needed to do. I had to come up with a reservoir for the first HPG since the large sewer pipe setups will require a large amount of water to be able to feed the setup while still having reserve in the tank. I had an old holding tank I pulled from the storage trailer during its construction last year. This tank looks to be around 30 gallons or so, plenty to feed the HPG setup. With the HPG setup against the fence, the tank had to go right in front of the unit, almost under the first pipe but not quite. It's close enough that whatever small pump I use will be able to push the water up the hose that will link the tank to the top pipe. Water will flow down into the 2nd pipe and back into the tank. I couldn't go any further as I needed the end caps for the sewer pipes, along with some hose, pump, fittings, plus I still had to mark and cut the holes for the planter cups I'd be using. I turned my attention to the raised bucket bed garden assembly I built just recently. I initially set it up right next to another raised bed. After having to lean over the thing to reach the rear most buckets in the older setup, I decided I had to set the new bed up a few feet away from the old one, leaving an opening for me to go into when I need to service either one of the raised beds. I moved the bricks and set the newer raised bucket bed up as intended so now there's room to work around either unit. The next phase as noted will be adding the extra components to finish the HPG assemblies, getting power routed to the site so I can then get the garden assemblies online. Since it is later in the year, I may be able to get some salad greens growing in a quantity along with the existing gardens where I'd be well supplied in salad greens until the first chills start up, maybe afterward if it doesn't drop below freezing in the winter.
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