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Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow things without using soil and other traditional gardening methods like tilling or plowing.

Hydroponic gardens don’t require stinky fertilizers to be spread around each season either, or nearly as much pest control for that matter.

Even more, hydroponic produce typically tastes better, yields more, and grows faster.

So what are you waiting for? Read on below and discover the perfect hydroponic garden ideas for you to get started with from our favorite Pinterest posts!

1. Kratky Method with Mason Jars

The Kratky method is one of the simplest ways to grow things hydroponically at home. It is also the cheapest hydroponic gardening method to get started with.

2. DIY Hydroponic Bucket Garden

Building a hydroponic garden from 20-gallon buckets and a few 2x4s is a great way to get started with soilless gardening.

This base allows you to take things in several directions; you could do a DWC system with pumps, Kratky style buckets, or connect them all with additional pipes and pumps and a large water reservoir with fish and turn it into an aquaponics system.

3. DIY Vertical Hydroponic Garden System

Though not so popular as DWC or ebb and flow, for beginners, the vertical-style hydroponic garden is as good as any to get started with.

That said, you’ll be limited to growing smaller veggies, fruits, and leafy greens. You will also need pumps and possibly misters.

4. DIY Aquaponics From Galvanized Horse Trough

Aquaponics is an amazing organic way to grow things hydroponically, including the fertilizer and nutrients that you feed your hydroponic plants with.

The fish in the tank creates plant food, as well as clean the oxygen and water.

Pumps carry the nutrients and water to the plants, and back to the fish.

5. DIY Hanging Hydroponic Garden Kits

A horizontal ebb and flow system is another popular hydroponic garden idea for beginners.

That said, unless you are handy with PVC, saws, and hand tools, you’ll want to order a kit and put it together rather than craft one from scratch.

6. DIY Hydroponic Pyramid Garden

This interesting pyramid-shaped hydroponic system could be the base for various systems, including ebb and flow, NFT, and Kratky.

However, without additional connectors, pipes, and other components, your main option will be basic Kratky method hydroponics with this setup.

7. Classic DIY DWC Hydroponic Gardening System

One of our all-time favorite hydroponic setups, for beginners, intermediate, and expert hydroponic gardeners alike, is the classic DIY DWC growing system.

These often have more than one lid so you can switch back and forth from 4 grow sites, to 6, 8, 10, 12, even 16 or 20 grow sites depending on the type of crops you want to grow or clone.

8. DIY Ebb and Flow with Gutter Downspout and Gravel

Another creative DIY hydroponic idea for beginners to try is attaching a growing bed with some sort of inert growing medium like gravel or LECA to a downspout in your gutter system.

Theoretically, rain should supply your plants with all the water they need.

But, you can always turn the garden hose on for a minute if they lack hydration for too long.

9. DIY Multi-Level DWC Hydroponic Garden System

If you are wanting to grow a steady supply of food for yourself, especially small root veggies, leafy greens, or small fruits like strawberries or cherry tomatoes, this is the DIY hydroponic gardening idea for you.

Very few DIY hydroponic garden ideas (if any) are more proper to get started with than one of these stacked multi-level DWC gardening systems.

Which DIY Hydroponic Idea Is Right For You?

Which of the DIY hydroponic garden ideas listed above is right for you?

If you are still trying to make up your mind, we suggest the DIY DWC hydroponic system. We’ve even made a DIY tutorial on how to build one.

Do you know about other great DIY hydroponic ideas for beginners to get their hands wet with? If so, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Likewise, if you have tried one of the above-listed systems, we’d love to know what your experience has been! Thanks for reading.

Suggested Reading: 12 Quick and Easy DIY Water Bottle Gardening Ideas

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