Fresh greens, simple parts, and calm routines—this field guide shows you how to grow crisp lettuce and fragrant herbs in a small hydroponic system that fits a closet, a kitchen corner, or a shaded porch. Chapter 1 walks you through a safe, low-cost Deep Water Culture build using a sturdy tote, six net pots, and an air pump. You’ll mark and drill a clean lid, route airlines with drip-safe loops, mix a gentle starter solution, set pH between five point eight and six point two, and seat seedlings so roots just kiss the water. A fifteen-minute shakedown catches leaks and hums before you walk away.

Chapter 2 gives you the operating rhythm: a five-minute daily glance, top-ups every two days, and a weekly reservoir change. You’ll learn how pH drifts, how E C tracks nutrient strength, and how to adjust in small steps. You’ll read leaves before bottles, keep oxygen high with steady bubbles, and handle algae, slime, or tip burn without panic. Harvest starts in week three with cut-and-come-again lettuce and clean basil pinches, washed cold and stored dry for better shelf life.

Chapter 3 scales the habit, not the chaos. Add a top-off reservoir and float valve for hands-off water level. Explore Ebb & Flow or Drip when you want more sites or mixed crops. Lock in a food-safe sanitation loop with measured dilutions and clean tools. Use sticky cards and airflow for gentle pest control. Close each cycle with a thorough scrub and rinse, then map your costs against yield so the setup pays for itself. A seasonal plan keeps greens coming year-round, indoors or on a porch, with staggered starts and simple logs.

The tone is calm and practical. Specs are read for the ear. Safety comes first: G F C I outlets, drip loops, food-safe plastics, and clean chemistry. If you’ve never grown a plant, you’ll finish this guide with a running system and a steady harvest rhythm. If you’ve grown before, you’ll find a tighter routine, clearer thresholds, and easy upgrade paths. Build it today, learn the feel this week, and eat what you grew by the end of the month.