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At Blauer Kragen in Midway we have adopted the kratky method where a plant sits in a net pot suspended above the nutrient solution. As the plant grows and consumes water, the solution level gradually drops. This creates an expanding air gap between the bottom of the net pot and the liquid surface.

The roots grow in two zones: the upper roots hang in the air gap and absorb oxygen, while the lower roots remain submerged in the nutrient solution to take up water and nutrients. As the water level continues to drop, more roots become exposed to air while enough remain submerged.

The key is that you fill the container once at the beginning and never refill it. The plant uses up the solution over its entire life cycle. The method works best for leafy greens and herbs with shorter growing periods—you harvest before the solution runs out.

It's remarkably simple: no maintenance, no moving parts, just a plant, a container, nutrient solution, and time.