The Thrift-ening
From what I can tell, Indoor gardening is similar to many other hobbies in that the financial “barrier of entry” is both wide and sort of superficial depending on how you approach it. The upward boundaries on how much one can spend on starting equipment can seem ludicrous.
I myself am a man of modest means (I’m cheap). Therefore, my documented experience with hydroponics will be undertaken with the most diligent of frugalness. No super expensive indoor grow lamps or complicated/intricate filtration systems here. Just some Scrappy DIY gardening on a shoestring budget.
To that end, I started by hitting up my local Thrift shops. Thrifting is a great way to find unique and interesting items that can also fill the utilitarian role needed for different aspects of indoor gardening. below are the supplies I picked up and how much they cost.
Wide Mouthed Mason jars:
Used – $0.75 each @ goodwill
The containers for our plants.
Chalkboard Spray paint:
New – $4.36 @ Home Depot
For blocking out light and preventing algae growth.
Net Cups:
New – $0.70 each @ any gardening supply shop
Holds the seeds and lets the roots grow out into our nutrient infused water.
A Lamp:
Used – $7 @ goodwill
To provide our plants with their needed sunlight.
Grow Light bulb:
New – $10 @ Home Depot
A special bulb for indoor gardening.
Arugula seeds:
$2.49 @ Grocery store
That will do it for this entry. I’m still awaiting the nutrients to arrive via mail as it was by far the cheapest way to acquire them.
Next entry, I’ll be putting the finishing touches on all the prep work and we’ll get our plants started.