The Delicious Fruit You Can Grow Hydroponically Indoors

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One of the biggest problems gardeners and farmers run into is bad soil. Sometimes it harbors pests and diseases; at other times, it lacks essential plant nutrients. Even when the dirt is nutrient-rich, poor chemistry can lock those nutrients away. Put simply, bad soil is like having a coworker with bad mood swings. That's where hydroponics — a soilless growing system suitable for all kinds of crops — can help. When it comes to homegrown fruit, blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are one of the tastiest plants you can grow hydroponically indoors.

Where do you start? The first thing you need to do is choose a delicious variety of blueberry that will thrive in a hydroponic system. Some good options include 'Pink Lemonade' (Vaccinium 'Pink Lemonade'), 'Sweetheart' (Vaccinium 'Sweetheart'), 'Sunshine Blue' (Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue'), and 'Top Hat' (Vaccinium angustifolium 'Top Hat').

Once you have picked a cultivar, you can move on to your hydroponics setup. A well-built system rescues you from dealing with frustrating soil issues and gives you more control over other growing conditions. You can fine-tune parameters to match your blueberry shrubs' needs. For instance, it is arguably much easier to monitor and adjust pH in a liquid solution than in soil. Similarly, it is far simpler to manipulate nutrients in water than it is in dirt. What does that mean for your blueberries? Get everything right, and they will grow vigorously and produce abundant yields.

There are lots of easy ways to DIY your own hydroponic garden for indoor blueberries. A simple drip system is one of the most versatile and reliable options. Head to your local hardware store and pick up a large plant pot, a lidded water reservoir, coco coir or perlite, and hydroponic nutrients. You'll also need a drip irrigation kit with a timed pump, tubing, and drippers. Place a blueberry shrub in the center of the plant pot and fill it with your growing medium of choice. Next, assemble the drip system according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer, attach the tubing to the lidded reservoir, and insert the dripper into your plant pot. Place a tray underneath the pot to catch any water runoff. Prepare the nutrient solution as directed, pour it into the lidded reservoir, and set your pump to deliver it to the plant in short, frequent bursts. 

Alternatively, you can get a Vivosun DWC (Deep Water Culture) Hydroponics Grow System with everything you need for eight blueberry shrubs for under $200. DWC is another favorite option for indoor soilless blueberry growing. Whichever setup you choose, you'll need to install some grow lights for your indoor plants. Blueberries need a lot of sunlight: between 12 and 16 hours of light daily. Regularly check the pH of the nutrient solution — these acid-loving shrubs prefer levels between 4.5 and 5.5. Top up the reservoir with nutrient-filled water periodically to replace moisture lost through transpiration and evaporation. Avoid long soaks, which can lead to root diseases. Lastly, remember that if you want berries, you'll need to hand pollinate the flowers.