Your cart is currently empty!
Get Event Reminders…
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Your cart is currently empty!
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Whether you are growing vegetables in a traditional garden or growing vegetables with hydroponics, the proper nutrients can help with higher yields, sweeter vegetables and stronger stems. Nutrient formulas are constantly improving so we can get better results. So how do you know what to use to amend your soil or how to get the best hydroponic nutrients for vegetables?
In my twenties I made my first foray into gardening. My tiny balcony was surrounded by concrete and bricks, so it got more than its share of the harsh Texas sun. I had no idea what I was doing at the time. My great-grandparents were farmers and that, if nothing else, gave me the hope that I could grow some vegetables, starting with tomatoes.
The plants were struggling, and I read about compost tea (basically exactly as it sounds), so I set out to nourish my baby plants with it. It definitely improved their lot, and tomatoes were born! I was proud and satisfied of what I produced. It felt like a miracle. Until I went out and discovered that most of my crop had been gobbled up by hungry caterpillars. I learned a valuable lesson, though. Feed your plants, and you aren’t the only one waiting to eat your tomatoes.
Growing Hydroponic Vegetables usually means using something like soil but hydroponic gardening is a soilless endeavor. Most hydroponic systems use a solution made of water and various nutrients. There are some hydroponic systems that use something called a growing medium or media. Some media resemble soil and are called soilless growing media. Other growing medium, like clay pellets or gravel, look nothing like soil. Sphagnum moss or coconut coir are used to retain moisture. Each type of growing medium has its own chemical makeup and nutrient needs. All methods, with or without media, require planning for best results.
There are two sources of nutrients for those growing vegetables and fruits. Conventional (also called mineral) and organic (also called biological or bio).
Conventional nutrients are less expensive and absorb faster. Quick adjustments can be made by adding one or more nutrient at a time: for example, if plants need calcium you can just add calcium to the solution. Mineral nutrients have to be applied more often in smaller amounts to prevent burning plants. They also lack micronutrients and can have a negative impact on ecosystems if not properly used and disposed of. The benefits are:
To determine what mineral nutrients are best for different media check out this great nutrient feed chart: feed calculator.
When growing a vegetable garden in soil it is important to know where you are starting. Many county extension services offer reasonably priced soil tests. The test should include the pH of your soil, the amount of organic matter, and how much of the main nutrient trio — nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) — exists in the soil. Soil tests should have suggestions as to what to do if there are deficiencies or excess elements.
Organic nutrients are slower but are less processed and include micronutrients that exists in soil that support microorganisms. As most people know bio nutrients are better for the environment because they aren’t created with petrochemicals as some conventional nutrients are, and they don’t harm surrounding ecosystems. Organic benefits are:
The drawbacks are higher cost, the need to plan ahead, and the inability to quickly make changes in the nutrients as you go. Organic nutrients are an easy choice for growing veggies in soil. There are organic choices for hydroponics as well.
Keep in mind there are different stages of plant development and each stage needs a different mix of nutrients. For instance, when a plant is growing from a seedling to a full size plant it needs different ratios of nutrients. You may need a feed that supports that quick cell growth. Nitrogen helps plants grow faster but too much can inhibit blooms. With an organic mix the plants can absorb the nutrients they need making it less likely to overdo it in one area.
To get more or bigger fruit you need to use a bloom formula that has more phosphorus and potassium to get the blooms started and regulate different enzymes. A good bio formula would also contain microorganisms the plants need and biostimulants. Here are a few important things to look for in an organic bloom booster.
Healthy plants are the best defense against pests and disease. Centuries ago humans got scurvy when crossing the oceans because of a lack of vitamin C. Plants have diseases that can make them weak. That’s when infection and insects like aphids and white fly (or caterpillars) attack.
Microorganisms, along with biostimulants, make nutrients more available to plants while making plants hardier. Some soils and nutrient mixes include humic acid or beneficial fungi and bacteria to give plants a better chance to get the food they need.
Choosing what nutrient mix, or a combination of multiple mixes, to use for a vegetable garden can be overwhelming and expensive. To save you time and money you may want to consider dry nutrients. They are easier and cheaper to transport because they weigh less than liquid. Here’s a checklist of what to look for in dry hydroponic nutrients:
Choosing the best nutrients for your growing hydroponic vegetables may seem complicated. But if you know what to look for in a mix it becomes less daunting. As long as you watch out for caterpillars you’ll have a tasty healthy crop of veggies to be proud of.
Julie is a Gardening Expert and specializing in organic vegetable gardens & Soil Health.
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
ideas serve to improve appearance, curb appeal, and aesthetic value. It helps make landscapes and yards more attractive and functional.
An epic presentation of where humanity stands today, our three seconds climate. We must all work together to make it to the fourth second.
Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set and quality, and increase fruit size.
Dutchman’s Breeches is a true spring woodland ephemeral species. It provides spring nectar to the first developing bumblebees. Read more.
A poinsettia is distinguished by having a single female flower that lacks petals and frequently sepals, which are surrounded by male blooms.
Start your more tender vegetables in your garden now, like cucumbers, squash and pumpkins and start your zucchini as well.
Learn about the distinctive Squarrose Goldenrod and its tall cluster of flowers. This perennial herb can reach a height of 6 ft and produces a rosette of large leaves at its base. Up to 200 tiny yellow flower heads cover its slender, elongated array, attracting many insects such as bees, bumblebees, wasps, butterflies, and moths. Identify it and discover its prolific nature!
Uncover the ancient knowledge of indigenous medicines in the Cruz-Badiano Codex, the oldest medicinal book produced in the Americas. It offers 185 native plants and how to prepare remedies, therapeutic uses and cures for head-to-toe ailments. Find out more!
Canadian Burnet features airy spikes of white flowers at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. It attracts bees.
Uncover the delight of bird calls, wind rustling leaves, and more. Embrace the peaceful ambiance of nature's sounds in your garden today!
If you use a grocery store tomato for seeds, because it is a hybrid tomato you will not get the same tomato with which you started.
The wood lily is an elegant plant that grows on a single stem and can reach 1 to 3 feet in height. We discuss how to care and propagate.
GardeningCalendar.ca gets some funding from advertisers. If you click on links and advertisements at no cost to you, the site may receive a small commission that helps fund its operation.
© 2025 J&S Calendars Ltd.