Today, we assembled the support frame for the reflective blankets to ensure adequate lighting and heat will be retained in the growing environment in the basement. We repurposed the 3/4″ PVC pipe used in the backyard garden to protect the tomatoes.
The pipe and connectors were first thoroughly washed outdoors and then disinfected with 3% hydrogen peroxide before being assembled. To purchase a commercially available enclosure for hydroponics is expensive – even the least expensive run well over C$175 – not including exhaust fan, lights or any of the other additional items such as lights, grow units, timers, etc.
The sides and back have the higher end emergency blankets suspended from the frame with tie-wraps. These will help retain heat and ensure even distribution of light to the lower levels at the beginning. Once the top level plants start to block the light, I have two LED grow lights suspended to provide additional illumination for the two lower levels.
As can be seen, in the 4′ X 5′ structure, two frames with 12 pipes on each are easily accommodated and there is space between them to comfortably access any part so harvesting can be accomplished. The top level of each grow unit will have plants that grow up to 5′ or so above the pipes: beans, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumber plants, along with sweet bitter leaf – a central African plant used in the cuisine of the people living there.
