5 Questions with Blue Ridge Hydroponics

Brothers Tommy Bryant (from left, above) and Jeremy Poe know a thing or two about plants. They own and operate Blue Ridge Hydroponics in Downtown Roanoke, and can help you learn to garden without soil.

Blue Ridge Hydroponics provides Roanoke and surrounding areas with the latest technology in indoor, year-round gardening and hydroponic supplies. The brothers pride themselves on a key location, excellent customer service, and fair prices. They will help you set up your first system and have plenty of supplies seasoned indoor growing pros as well.

Visit them on Facebook to see more plants and learn about the process.

5 Questions with Blue Ridge Hydroponics

1. What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants without soil and is typically done indoors. Lights are needed to mimic the sun and nutrients are added to the water system to feed the plants. This allows for higher yields, fewer pests or insects, and year-round harvesting. It helps eliminate the need for pesticides and chemicals. It is also a great solution to food deserts in many urban areas.

2. What product/set up would you recommend as a holiday gift for someone who has never tried hydroponic gardening?

The best system to give to a beginner is a four bucket deep water culture system for around $100 to $200, depending on the add-ons needed. The equipment needed is highly dependent on the needs of the grower. This varies from crop to crop, number of plants, and whether it is indoors or outdoors. We can also do gift cards if someone is unsure of what exactly to buy.

3 What is your favorite thing about the outdoor community in the region?

The Roanoke Region is very fortunate to have many beautiful outdoor assets. This helps attract the type of citizen who cares about the natural environment. We have found that our customers and neighbors are health-conscious, forward-thinking individuals. They take the time to learn the science of agriculture and help accelerate the transition to sustainable living.

4. How much does a full set up cost?

Of course, it depends on how many plants you are growing. If you are starting small, a setup for two to four plants can cost anywhere from $200 to $400. That is lights, water systems, containers, pumps, tents, and basic nutrients. The bigger setups like 10 to 20 plants or more can cost in the thousands, but there is a cost decline at larger scales. Keep in mind, the initial cost is larger but the ongoing costs and the ability to grow year-round will save you in the long run compared to traditional outdoor growing.

5. How difficult is it to learn to home grow?

There is definitely a learning curve, but we will be with you the whole way. Since 2004, we have been helping people grow at home by not only providing the equipment but by partnering with our customers from day one. There are many pitfalls we can help you avoid and if you have a problem you can call us or stop by. You can learn a lot from YouTube videos and you can buy online, but when push comes to shove, it really helps to have a local growing expert to call on.