STEM Education Series
Hydroponic Garden
Grow a garden without soil! Build a bottle garden, plant rye grass seeds in coconut coir, and watch them sprout. A simple string carries water from the reservoir up to the roots through capillary action, with no pump or power needed. It is a hands-on look at how hydroponic farms grow plants while saving water. Check it each day, track the growth, and see how plants grow without soil.
Hydroponic Garden
The Big Idea
Plants can grow without soil when water reaches their roots.
- Ages
- 8+Adult supervision required.
- Environmental Science
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Observation
Safety
- Contains small parts. Not suitable for children under 3.
- Do not put any materials in your eyes, ears, mouth, or nose. Safety glasses recommended.
- Adult supervision required.
What’s in the Kit
- All materials to build one Hydroponic Garden
- Full color, step-by-step instructions
What you add
- Water
Real-world connection
How Do Plants Grow Without Soil?
Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without soil by delivering water and nutrients directly to their roots. Many farms use this method because it uses less water than traditional farming. In this bottle garden, a simple string pulls water up from the reservoir to the roots through capillary action, the same way water climbs a paper towel, so the garden waters itself.
For classrooms
The Hydroponic Garden is a great fit for classrooms, after-school programs, and camps. Each kit builds one garden and arrives individually packaged with all materials and instructions included.
For best results, place gardens in a sunny window and check the water daily.
Purchasing for your school or program? Request a quote.