I grow what I eat. I like lots of things. Here are some I grow Hydro and work well:

Celery
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Crooked Neck Squash
Garlic
Basil
Pepper (Black Peppercorn)
Peanuts
Broccli
Dill

If you like egg plant, you might try the Japaneese Ichibang. They seem to grow pretty fast, and they cook up fast as well. Pototoes are expensive down here in Florida now. I'm thinking of starting some, but not in a hydro system, just a big tub. chuck

Is growing Celery, Broccoli, and cauliflower worth it though if I can only grow 8 plants at a cost of $60, comes out to $7.50 a plant. Tomatoes, cucumbers and squash are worth it because they just keep producing all season. Has anyone grown potatoes in hydro? How big of a yield do you get?

Thanks

I missed the costs part. I grow hydro because they grow super fast, and it is a great hobby not for costs. However, I have tried growing potatoes hydro, and in my opinion they are better in dirt!

How about some herbs or spices?

Little nicky. I can hardly believe what you are paying for the plants. Do u mean it cost u $60.00 to setup the system and buy the plants. I was just unclear about that. Anyway if u wanna grow cauliflower u might wanna try doing it in a cool spot. I think broc is a cold weather crop, I know cauliflower is "suppose" to be grown in late fall or below 55 degrees I believe.

My system costs $60 so divide by 8 plants that's $7.50 it costs per plant to grow.

What veggies are there that keep fruiting? It doesn't seem cost effective to plant something you can only harvest once.

Cost seems too "fixed" - your system may cost $60 to build, but you need light and power to run the pumps and aeration...not to mention the cost of Nutrients, possibly a heater/chiller to keep the nutrient solution at optimum temps...Are you taking into account all the other costs...I know it costs me more to grow hydroponically and aeroponically, but I'd rather eat well and have the pride of growing my own food...

If you have some cost saving methods you are employing, I'd love to hear more!

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.TechnologyGarden.net

The price thing is confusing. You say the system cost $60. Here's how cost usually breaks down on hydroponics systems.

Equipment (the actual hardware of the system)
Lighting (if you're using the sun it's free, if not there's the cost of lights, electrical works, and electricity)
Environmental (any heating, cooling, fans, etc)
Nutrients (plants gotta eat, and if you're buying RO water that goes here too)
Plants (generally considered an inconsequential cost)

So when you say it costs you $60 for your system it sounds like you're talking about the equipment. When you say you can grow 8 plants at a cost of $60 it sounds like you're talking about the cost of nutrients since most people don't keep track of the rest.

If you're talking about the cost of building the system, that's a one-time expense. The start-up cost of a hydroponics system is high, but as it grows more and more crops it becomes more cost-effective.

So how are you measuring your costs?

The system costs $60 to build.

I use the sun.

OK, what i'm trying to get at is if I grow a plant or 8 plants as I can, they produce once or maybe twice a season. I simply place those plants in the soil garden for now. Plants that just keep producing like tomatoes (which I don't eat) I put in my hydroponics because they produce a lot and I want them to produce as much as possible. But If I was to plant something like cauliflower which as far as I know produces once and thats the end of the plant. I don't find it very effective, cost or time wise to grow in hydro.

Which plants keep producing all season long?

Hopefully this clears up some confusion.

You're making the mistake of counting the cost of the system against the value of a single crop. You don't have to throw it all away and start over next crop, you can use the same equipment over and over.

Grow what you want. If you grow what costs the most you'll create a job. If you grow what you like you create fun.