Getting Started with Hydroponic Tower Gardening

An Introduction for New Growers

Hydroponic towers are one of the easiest and most space-efficient ways to grow fresh produce right at home. Whether you’re looking to supply your family with year-round greens, add fresh flavor to your cooking, or start a larger growing project, a tower system is a great first step into hydroponics.

At Victory Garden Hydroponics, we design our towers to make the process simple, effective, and fun. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Hydroponic Tower Gardening?

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are supported in small pods, and their roots receive a nutrient-rich water solution that circulates through the system.

A hydroponic tower takes this method vertical. Water is pumped from a reservoir at the bottom to the top of the tower, then rains down through each level, feeding every plant. This design saves space, conserves water, and provides consistent nutrition for healthy plant growth.

The Basics You’ll Need

• Tower System – Like our VG3 or VG4 models, designed to fit a variety of crops.

• Reservoir & Pump – A 5-gallon bucket at the base holds water and nutrients, while a pump circulates it through the tower (which are included with our VG3 and VG4 models).

• Planting Pods & Modules – Where your seeds or seedlings are placed(which are included with our VG3 and VG4 models).

• Hydroponic Nutrients – A complete nutrient mix such as the General Hydroponics Flora Series ensures plants get the essential minerals they’d normally find in soil.

• Water Source – Distilled or filtered water is best to avoid unwanted minerals and chlorine.

• Light – Outdoors, sunlight does the job. Indoors, you’ll need grow lights for 12–16 hours per day, depending on crop type.

Getting Your Tower Started

1. Assemble Your Tower- Place it on a sturdy surface with access to power and water. Add a pump timer if you want more control over watering cycles.

2. Mix Your Nutrients- Follow the feeding chart provided with your nutrients. Measure carefully with a TDS (ppm) and pH meter to ensure balance (most crops grow well with a pH of 5.8–6.5).

3. Plant Your Crops

   • Start with seedlings or pre-germinated seeds in a starter plug.

   • Insert them into the tower pods, making sure roots are able to grow downward.

4. Set Your Pump Schedule- Run the pump in short cycles—about 15 minutes on, 45 minutes off is a good starting point. This keeps roots moist and oxygenated without overwatering.

5. Provide Light- Indoors: Keep lights close enough (12–18") to the plants to provide intensity, but not so close that they cause heat stress. Outdoors: Place the tower in full sun (6–8 hours daily).

What Can You Grow?

Hydroponic towers excel with crops that don’t need deep soil or a sprawling root system. Great starter crops include:

• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy

• Herbs: Basil, cilantro, oregano, thyme, mint

• Fruit & Veggies: Strawberries, peppers, cherry/dwarf tomatoes

(Larger vining crops like cucumbers, squash, or pumpkins are not recommended—they need more support and space than a tower provides.)

Tips for Success

• Check Your Water Weekly – Top off with clean water as it evaporates. Replace with fresh nutrient solution every 1–2 weeks.

• Monitor pH & Nutrients – Healthy plants need the right balance. Invest in a simple meter.

• Harvest Often – Picking leaves and fruit encourages new growth.

• Keep It Clean – Rinse and sanitize your tower between plantings to prevent algae or root disease.

Why Grow in a Hydroponic Tower?

• Year-Round Harvests – Fresh food indoors no matter the season.

• Water Efficiency – Uses up to 90% less water than soil gardening.

• Space Saving – A single tower can replace a large garden bed.

• Control – You control the nutrients, water, and light—meaning healthier plants and better yields.

Final Thoughts

Hydroponic tower gardening is simple enough for beginners but powerful enough for serious growers. Once you learn the basics of nutrients, lighting, and pump cycles, you’ll find yourself producing crisp greens, fragrant herbs, and even fruiting crops faster than you ever imagined.

At Victory Garden Hydroponics, our mission is to make food production accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned gardener, our towers are built to help you succeed.

Ready to start your own harvest? Check out our VG Towers and accessories to get growing today!