[ sudo.farm ] · Your beginner on-ramp
You've never grown anything.
That's a fine place to start.
Jo Mulligan had never touched soil before her first Kratky setup. Jordan M. knew nothing about nutrients before their $50 lettuce rig. Pick your path below, we'll show you exactly what they did.
Jo's first build: Kratky mason jars, $18 in parts, 30 days to harvest.
[ 01 ] Process.log
The path Jo, Alex, and Jordan followed
Four steps. Documented by people who completed each one. Whether you're growing lettuce on a windowsill or planning a rooftop setup, this sequence works.
Pick your system
Kratky for minimal setup, DWC for faster growth, NFT for scale. Our comparison guides include real build outcomes from each.
Compare systems →Source your parts
Every guide includes an itemized parts list with real prices. Jordan's DWC setup totaled $47, including nutrients and net cups.
See Jordan's parts list →Mix nutrients
The part that trips most beginners. Our nutrients guide explains the chemistry without the jargon. EC, pH, macro vs micro, all of it.
Feed your plants: nutrient guide →Automate (optional)
Once your system is running, add a $12 soil sensor so it monitors itself. Alex's setup texts him when moisture drops below threshold.
Automate your grow →[ 02 ] Results.log
Three first builds that actually work
Each one documented by someone who completed it. Real cost, real timeline, real outcome, before you spend a dollar.
Kratky lettuce: $18, no pump, 30 days
Jo Mulligan's first build. A mason jar, some net cups, and a bag of Masterblend. First harvest in 30 days with zero prior experience.
[beginner] · $18 · Weekend build
DWC lettuce: Jordan's $50 apartment setup
Jordan M. grows enough lettuce for two salads a week in a 2-gallon bucket. Portland apartment, no outdoor space, under $50 total.
[beginner] · $47 · 30 days to harvest
Alex's $22 ESP32 sensor, 3 months uptime
A capacitive soil moisture sensor and an ESP32 wired together in an afternoon. Alex T. hasn't lost a plant since. Full wiring diagram and Arduino code included.
[intermediate] · $22 · 2 hour build
[ 03 ] Library.md
Explore all topics
DIY Hydroponic Systems
25 guides · beginner–advanced
Beginner Farming
20 guides · beginner
Microgreens
22 guides · beginner–intermediate
Hydroponic Crops
25 guides · all levels
Smart Irrigation & IoT
22 guides · intermediate
Nutrients & Science
20 guides · beginner–advanced
Urban Farming
20 guides · beginner
Indoor Growing
18 guides · all levels
Open-Source Tools
15 guides · developer-focused
[ sudo.farm ]
Join them. Start your first grow system.
Jo, Alex, and Jordan all started exactly where you are. Here's exactly how they did it.