[ Getting Started ] guides.beginner-farming
The beginner's path to first harvest. Jordan did it for $50. So can you.
Jordan M. had never grown anything before their first DWC bucket. Thirty days later, enough lettuce for two salads a week. This is the exact path, from picking a system to mixing nutrients to that first harvest.
Jordan's DWC setup: 2-gallon bucket, air pump, Masterblend 3-part. First harvest: 30 days.
$50
Jordan's full setup cost
dwc bucket + nutrients
30 days
First harvest timeline
lettuce from seed
0
Prior experience needed
jordan's first ever grow
20
Step-by-step guides
ordered beginner to harvest
[ 01 ] Results.log
Three beginner builds that work
Documented by people who started with no experience, real setups, real costs, real outcomes.
Week 1: Jo's Kratky jar, $18
The absolute minimum viable hydroponics setup. A mason jar, some net cups, and the right nutrient mix. Jo's first harvest came in 30 days.
[beginner] · $18 · 1 Saturday
Week 2: Jordan's $47 DWC bucket
Jordan's first "real" system, a 2-gallon DWC bucket with an air pump and net cups. Enough lettuce for two salads a week from a studio apartment.
[beginner] · $47 · 1 weekend
The nutrient guide that fixes 80% of beginner problems
EC, pH, and the macro/micro ratio, explained without jargon. This guide is why Jordan's second grow worked when the first one didn't.
[beginner] · Free · 30 min read
[ 02 ] Process.log
Four steps, no shortcuts
The path Jordan followed: from no experience to harvesting lettuce every two weeks.
- 01
Pick your first system
Kratky for zero equipment, DWC for faster growth. Both are documented by people who started with no experience. Read the guide →
- 02
Get your parts list
Every beginner guide comes with an itemized shopping list. Jordan's total was $47 including nutrients and net cups. Read the guide →
- 03
Mix your nutrients
The step that trips most beginners. Our nutrients guide explains EC, pH, and the Masterblend ratio without jargon. Read the guide →
- 04
Harvest at the right time
How to know when your lettuce is ready, how to harvest without killing the plant, and what to grow next. Read the guide →
[ sudo grow ]
Begin with Beginner Farming
Jordan started here. Zero experience, $50 budget, Portland apartment. Thirty days to first harvest. The path is documented, follow it.