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Photo Credit: Don Goode

You can use a variety of containers to build your floating garden, including plastic play pools and lined raised beds.

In some parts of the country, in-ground gardening can be a challenge. The soil can be full of microscopic worms, called nematodes, that feed on plant roots. Other soil pests include mole crickets, beetle grubs, ants and moles. Weeds are another challenge. Throw in problems with keeping plants watered, fighting off rabbits and such, and it’s a wonder we enjoy gardening so much!

One way around all these problems is to make a floating hydroponic garden. By definition there’s no soil involved – just plants growing in a nutrient-rich water solution.

Of course, there’s more to it than just tossing a plant in some water – but growing plants hydroponically is surprisingly easy:

Start by selecting your container. You can use any with walls measuring at least 6 inches high. It could be a kiddie pool, 5-gallon bucket, plant container without drainage holes, or a homebuilt wooden frame lined with plastic. (Just be sure to place it in a sunny spot in your garden that meets the light requirements for the plants you wish to grow.)

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Photo Credit: Don Goode

Drill or cut holes in the Styrofoam to hold the cups that will keep your plants afloat.

Then cut a 2-inch-thick Styrofoam sheet into a square or circle that’s a little smaller than your container’s opening. (This allows the Styrofoam to float up and down with the hydroponic solution.) Put some holes in the Styrofoam so your plants’ roots can get to the water. A 2 ½-inch arbored hole saw works great for this – the tool has a normal drill bit surrounded by a column of metal with saw teeth on the edge. (If you don’t want to invest in a hole saw, you can cut holes using a knife or keyhole saw.) Space your holes 6-12 inches apart, depending on the plants you’re growing and your container’s dimensions.

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Photo Credit: Don Goode

Cut three notches into the bottom of each cup so the roots can access the water solution.

Next, you need something to hold the plants so they don’t fall through the holes. You can use a commercially available plastic mesh cup or a 12-ounce foam drink cup with three notches cut in the bottom. (The notches allow the plant’s roots to find their way into the solution.) Insert the cups into the Styrofoam float so the bottom of the cup just protrudes through to the other side.