Guide to Home Hydroponic Growing with a Hydroponic Tower

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Idroponica Facile Guide to home growing with hydroponic towers

Complete guide to home hydroponic growingThe first complete practical guide in Italian, from A to Z: from sowing to harvest, from nutrient solution to problem management. Everything you need, nothing more.

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✓ Step by step ✓ For beginners and experts ✓ EC/pH Tables ✓ Glossary ✓ Updated 2026
13 Chapters
50 Pages
24 Vegetables in table
365 Harvest days
Contents chapter by chapter

Everything you'll find in the guide

Not a collection of generic tips: each chapter addresses a specific moment in the growing journey, in the exact order you'll experience it.

Chapter 1

The only theory you need

pH, EC, light, temperature and relative humidity. Five concepts explained practically: only what you need to make the right decisions every day, without unnecessary technicalities.

Chapter 2

Defining your goals

How to choose the right vegetables for your tower, and why pairing plants with the same light, nutrition and temperature requirements makes the difference between a mediocre harvest and an exceptional one.

Chapter 3

Idroponica Facile equipment

A detailed description of every component of the tower, the growing kit and the germination kit: reservoir, modules, pump, LED bars, measuring pens, TriPart, expanded clay and everything else.

Chapter 4

The seedling tray: sowing and transplanting

Pre-sowing, sowing step by step, dome management, irrigation from germination to true leaves, through to transplanting into the tower with roots ready. The most delicate phase, explained in detail.

Chapter 5

Tower assembly and preparation

Complete assembly instructions: from the reservoir to the modules, from the pump to the LED bars, through to connecting the oxygenator for complete kits. All you need is a Phillips screwdriver and this guide.

Chapter 6

The nutrient solution and start-up

How to choose the right TriPart formulation for your tower, the correct mixing order, pH correction and the first filling of the reservoir. With optimal formulas for both leaf and fruiting towers.

Chapter 7

Routine checks

What to check, when and how. The routine that minimises errors: a quick check every 2–3 days, a more thorough one once a week. EC, pH, water level, corrective top-ups.

Chapter 8

Staggered harvest and production cycle

How to harvest without stressing the plants, when to do a full head harvest, the cut-and-come-again method for rocket and mizuna, and how to manage a slot once freed after each removal.

Chapter 9

Rotation sowing

The Infinite Harvest formula: sow every 2 weeks at 25% of the tower's capacity, with the right balance between fast and slow-growing plants. The method to always keep the tower full with something ready to harvest.

Chapter 10

Full harvest and reset

When and how to empty the tower completely to start afresh: situations where it makes sense, the step-by-step procedure, and how to restart in the right way.

Chapter 11

Periodic maintenance

Routine maintenance every 2–3 days, solution change every 4–6 weeks, full clean at the end of each cycle. What needs doing — and what doesn't.

Chapter 12

Plant and tower signals

How to read what your plants are telling you: seeds that won't germinate, pale leaves, slow growth, burnt tips, brown roots, unusual pump noise, reduced flow. Causes and solutions.

Chapter 13

The most common mistakes

Over 30 mistakes catalogued by category — approach, nutrients, pH, light, seedling tray, water, oxygenation, maintenance — with an explanation of what to do instead. Including the "mistakes" that actually aren't.

Appendix A

Your first 30 days

A day-by-day timeline: from day 0 (pre-sowing) to day 30+ (first harvest). A clear roadmap to guide you through the first few weeks without missing a single step.

Appendix B

Reference tables

pH and EC table for 24 vegetables and herbs, ordered by increasing nutritional requirement. Recommended seeds per cube table. The quick reference to consult whenever you need it.

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By Mirko Rossi — founder of Idroponica Facile

Everything in this guide comes from real trials, mistakes, corrections and optimisations over time. Not theory for its own sake: only what genuinely works in everyday home growing.

From Chapter 1

The theory you actually need (nothing more)

In hydroponics, there are five parameters that matter. Keep them under control, and everything else manages itself.

pH (5.8 – 6.2): the measure of water acidity. Within this range, almost all vegetables absorb nutrients with maximum efficiency. Outside it, you can feed as much as you like: the plants absorb nothing.
EC (Electrical Conductivity): the quantity of dissolved nutrients in the water. Every vegetable has its own ideal range. Too little → slow growth. Too much → burnt leaves. The complete table with values for 24 vegetables is in Appendix B of the guide.
Light, Temperature and Relative Humidity: the three environmental factors that determine growth speed, harvest quality and — for fruiting plants — the success of pollination. The guide explains exactly how to manage them in every situation.
The golden rule of home hydroponics: less is more. Intervening less, but in the right way, is always more effective than constantly correcting. This guide teaches you to recognise when to act and when — instead — to let the system stabilise on its own.
Appendix B — Table 1

pH and EC for the most common vegetables

Recommended values for hydroponic tower growing, ordered by increasing nutritional requirement. The complete table is in the guide.

Vegetable / Herb EC min–max (mS/cm) Recommended pH
Lamb's Lettuce / Corn Salad 0.8 – 1.2 6.0 – 7.0
Cut Lettuces 0.8 – 1.6 5.8 – 6.2
Rosemary 0.8 – 1.6 5.5 – 6.5
Thyme 0.8 – 1.6 5.5 – 6.5
Basil 1.0 – 2.0 5.8 – 6.2
Rocket 1.0 – 2.0 5.8 – 6.2
Parsley 1.0 – 2.0 5.8 – 6.2
Head Lettuces 1.2 – 1.8 5.8 – 6.2
Mizuna 1.2 – 2.0 5.8 – 6.2
Endive / Escarole 1.5 – 2.0 5.8 – 6.2
Spring Onions 1.5 – 2.5 6.0 – 7.0
Pak Choi 1.5 – 2.5 6.0 – 7.0
Spinach 1.8 – 2.3 6.0 – 7.0
Chard 1.8 – 2.3 6.0 – 7.0
Celery 1.8 – 2.4 6.0 – 6.5
Mint 1.8 – 2.4 5.8 – 6.2
Peppers 2.0 – 3.0 5.8 – 6.2
Cavolo Nero 2.0 – 3.0 6.0 – 7.0
Curly Kale 2.0 – 3.0 6.0 – 7.0
Cherry Tomatoes 2.0 – 3.5 5.8 – 6.2

→ The complete table with all vegetables is in the guide, Appendix B.

Appendix A

Your first 30 days, step by step

A chronological roadmap so you don't miss any step in the first few weeks. Timings are approximate and vary depending on the species grown.

  • Day 0

    Pre-sowing

    Prepare rested water, correct pH to 5.8–6.0 and soak the rockwool cubes for 6–24 hours.

  • Day 1

    Sowing

    Place the seeds in the cubes, cover with vermiculite, close the trays with the dome, switch on the seedling LED lights.

  • Days 2–5

    Germination

    Check daily: remove the dome for 10 minutes to air, keep the cubes moist but not waterlogged.

  • Days 5–10

    Cotyledons

    The first two seed leaves appear. Open the dome vents. Prepare a light nutrient solution (EC 0.6).

  • Days 10–18

    First true leaves + tower assembly

    Remove the dome, begin feeding the seedlings. Meanwhile, assemble the tower and prepare the nutrient solution.

  • Days 18–22

    Transplanting

    3–4 true leaves and roots protruding by 3+ cm: the time is right. Insert the seedlings into the tower and start the system.

  • Days 22–30

    Growth in tower

    Check EC and pH every 2–3 days, monitor the water level. A slight loss of vigour after transplanting is normal.

  • Day 30+

    First harvest 🌿

    Begin the staggered harvest of outer leaves. Sow the next batch to maintain continuous rotation.

Frequently asked questions

The questions we're asked most often

Direct answers to the most common questions about home hydroponics. All covered in depth in Chapter 14 of the guide.

How much does it cost to run a hydroponic tower per month?
Energy consumption is surprisingly low: approximately €6 per month for lights, pump and oxygenator. Adding nutrients and water, the total running cost is around €10 per month. Against this, monthly production can be worth between €50 and €100 in fresh vegetables, making the system very cost-effective from the very first complete cycle.
Is it suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, that's exactly what it was designed for. All you need to do is periodically check the water level, EC and pH. After the first few weeks it becomes a quick and natural routine. This guide takes you through it step by step from the very beginning, taking nothing for granted.
What can you grow, and what can't you?
Lettuces, basil, rocket, spinach, chard, pak choi, mizuna, herbs and many other leafy vegetables grow very well. Some towers can also accommodate compact chillies and cherry tomatoes. Bulky crops or those with invasive root systems, such as courgettes, melons or potatoes, are not suitable.
How much time does day-to-day management require?
Much less than you might think. Once properly set up, the tower is a largely self-sufficient system. In normal routine, a few minutes every 2–3 days for a quick check is enough, plus around ten minutes once a week for a more thorough check. It does not require constant daily attention.
Is managing pH and nutrients complicated?
No, it's far simpler than it seems. With the measuring pens you check the values in a matter of seconds. If the pH is high, lower it with pH Down; if the EC is low, add nutrients; if it's high, add only water. Before long it becomes a quick and almost automatic task. Chapter 7 explains the complete routine in detail.
What happens if I neglect it for a few days?
If you check the water and nutrients in the reservoir before leaving, the tower can comfortably manage on its own for several days. This is one of the most appreciated advantages of the system: it doesn't require constant daily attention.
If I make a mistake, do I have to start all over again?
Almost never. In most cases it's enough to correct the pH or EC to bring the system back into balance. Only the most delicate plants might suffer, but the majority recover quickly. Chapter 12 describes the warning signs and how to act in every situation.
Where can I position the tower?
Virtually anywhere: in any room of the house, in a cellar, in a garage, on a balcony or in a garden. If natural light is lacking, the LED bars compensate perfectly. All you need is about half a square metre of vertical space and a power socket.
How long until the first harvest?
For leafy vegetables such as lettuces and rocket, the first outer leaves can be harvested as early as 20 days after transplanting. After 30–35 days you enter full production with complete head harvests. For fruiting plants (cherry tomatoes, peppers) the timings are longer: the first fruits generally arrive after 5–8 weeks from transplanting.
The kits this guide is written for

Everything you need, in a single kit

The guide is written for Idroponica Facile systems, but the principles apply to any hydroponic tower. If you want to start with everything already included, these are the recommended kits.

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Complete Kits

All Idroponica Facile kits: choose the system that best suits your needs and start growing straight away.

View all kits
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Green Leaf Tower

The ideal tower for lettuces, rocket, spinach, herbs and leafy vegetables. White LED bars, 36 growing positions, complete system.
PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS

Discover the tower
🍅

Fruiting Tower

For cherry tomatoes, peppers, cavolo nero and fruiting vegetables. Full-spectrum LED, support structure included, maximum yield.

Discover the tower
☀

Outdoor Tower

36 growing positions powered by natural sunlight. Zero energy consumption, perfect for balcony, terrace or garden.

Discover the tower
🌱

Germination Kit / Seedling Tray

The starting point: germinate your seeds in optimal conditions before transferring them to the tower. With LED lights dedicated to the sowing phase.

Discover the kit
⚓

Growing Kit

Everything you need to set up and manage your tower: measuring pens, TriPart, expanded clay and accessories included.

Discover the kit
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Nutrients

The TriPart system (Micro, Grow, Bloom) by Terra Aquatica / GHE used in this guide. Available for soft and hard water.

Discover the nutrients

Ready to get started?

Download the guide, read it at your own pace, then come back here to choose the right kit for you. Growing at home can be truly easy.

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Free, no registration required, updated 2026 — 50 pages, 13 chapters
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