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Most of us grew up hearing frogs are smooth-skinned, and toads are dry and warty. It ends up that that distinction has no basis in science. They are all frogs. And we know them when we see them.  American Toad (Wikimedia) Public Domain Long legs, big bellies, protruding eyes, and long, sticky tongues all help make these garden helpers voracious predators. Frogs commonly eat flies, moths, slugs, snails, and worms. This makes frogs a great addition to your garden. All they need is moisture and a chemical-free environment. Sadly, those conditions are in short supply these days. Frogs have been around for about 250 million years. They lay eggs in water. Those eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles swim around, eating algae and other plant matter until they lose their tails, then they move on land.  Frog life cycle (LadyofHats) Public Domain Frogs make up nearly 90% of the world’s amphibians, but they are in trouble. According to Wikipedia, one-third of all frog species are threatened with extinction. More than 120 species have gone extinct since the 1980s, and genetic mutations are increasing. Considering frogs are significant players in the world’s food web, we can all do them a favor by making room for them in our gardens. Adding a frog pond might be more than some gardeners can manage. But you can probably create a moist, private area with protective branches and plants to help native frogs hide from garter snakes, pets, and human activities. Consider a bird bath or other shallow water container at ground level. If you come across a frog in your garden, it is best to leave it alone. Most amphibians carry Salmonella bacteria and should not be handled.  Common toad exhibiting a defensive posture (Łukasz Olszewski ImreKiss) CC BY 3.0 As a gardener, I love getting my hands dirty. I love the feel and smell of rich, damp soil. I love its earthiness. It makes me feel connected. As a result, I never gave hydroponics a chance. I was wrong.  Hydroponic lettuce (Marsraw) Pixabay Hydroponics refers to growing plants in water that has been infused with nutrients. Plants grown hydroponically may have their root systems supported with slotted cups or other mechanical means, or they held in place with gravel, perlite, or other inert material. So, how did I get started with hydroponics? In my high-rise apartment, we have a Free Bench. A Free Bench is any space where neighbors can put things they no longer want, and others can freely take whatever they like. It’s a great way to reduce waste and clutter at the same time. If your apartment or neighborhood doesn’t have a Free Bench, I urge you to create one. I recently saw a brand-new AeroGarden hydroponic herb garden, complete with seeds and plant food, on our Free Bench. I had to grab it and give it a try. The concept behind hydroponics is simple. A bowl-shaped base contains water and a water pump. The water pump circulates the water periodically, preventing swamp-like conditions. This circulation aerates the water.  My hydroponic garden on January 20th The bowl has a flat lid with holes. Cone-shaped containers of inert material contain seeds. These cones fit nicely into the holes. An arm at the back of the bowl supports a grow light. This arm can be raised or lowered, depending on the height of the plants. What’s so great about hydroponics? The best thing about hydroponics is that there is practically zero water waste. The container is covered, reducing evaporation, and the roots pull up as much water as they need. No more and no less. According to Wikipedia, it takes 57 gallons of water to grow 2.2 pounds of tomatoes in soil. Growing the same tomatoes hydroponically takes 18 gallons, and growing them aeroponically only uses 5.3 gallons. We will discuss that method another day. So, you can’t overwater. Overwatering is probably the most common cause of death for indoor plants. The worst thing you can do for your hydroponics irrigation-wise is to forget to top off the water as it gets used by the plants. Luckily, my unit has a warning light that tells me it’s time to add water. It also has a light that tells me when to feed my water-bound plants. The kit came with its own plant food. When that is used up, I will probably start using fish emulsion. My hydroponic plants get all the light they need from LEDs built into the unit.  My hydroponic plants are putting out serious roots by February 1st! To create your own hydroponic planter with a yogurt container, use these steps:
*Do not fill the container to the top. The roots need some air exposure, or they will drown and die. It won’t be as convenient as the automated version since you must monitor it more closely. But you can grow a surprising amount of food this way. Commercial hydroponic facilities currently grow cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, spinach, and strawberries, along with all those tomatoes. As water supplies dwindle and weather patterns continue to change, hydroponic gardening may very well be the agriculture of the future.  One week later, I can harvest some dill, and the basil and mint are nearly ready for their first pinching! It’s a great way to have fresh herbs, even if you live in an apartment. And the space above the lights makes the perfect spot for drying those herbs!  UPDATE (March 7, 2025): The rate at which my hydroponic herbs are growing continues to impress me. And the basil leaves are the biggest I've ever seen (and delicious)!
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Welcome!You can grow a surprising amount of food in your own yard. Ask me how! To help The Daily Garden grow, you may see affiliate ads sprouting up in various places.
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