Practical Hydroponics: Handbook for Home Gardeners (Paperback or Softback)

Practical Hydroponics: Handbook for Home Gardeners is a practical, full-colour guide to growing fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and ornamentals without soil. Written specifically for home gardeners, students, hobbyists and small-scale food producers, it explains the principles of hydroponic gardening in clear, easy-to-understand language while providing the knowledge needed to build and manage successful growing systems.

The book covers the fundamentals of plant growth, including water quality, nutrient solutions, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, lighting and environmental control. Readers are introduced to the essential plant nutrients and learn how to identify and correct common nutrient deficiencies and toxicities.

A wide range of hydroponic methods is explained, from simple wick systems and self-watering containers to nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC), flood-and-drain systems, drip irrigation systems and aquaponics. Step-by-step illustrations and practical advice help readers choose, build and maintain systems suited to their space, budget and gardening goals.

Featuring more than 150 colour photographs, illustrations, diagrams and reference tables, the handbook also covers seed raising, propagation, crop selection, growing media, pest and disease management, beneficial insects, routine maintenance and troubleshooting. Detailed diagnostic guides assist growers in recognising common disorders, environmental stresses and plant health problems before they affect production.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the hydroponics industry, author Steven Carruthers combines sound horticultural science with practical, real-world growing techniques. Whether growing lettuce on a balcony, herbs in a kitchen, tomatoes in a greenhouse or vegetables in a backyard system, readers will find proven methods for producing healthy crops year-round.

Designed as both an introduction for beginners and a handy reference for experienced gardeners, Practical Hydroponics: Handbook for Home Gardeners provides the essential knowledge needed to establish productive, water-efficient gardens and enjoy the benefits of modern soilless growing.

Steven Carruthers is an Australian horticultural journalist, editor, publisher and author with more than three decades of experience in hydroponics, protected cropping and sustainable food production.In 1991 he founded Practical Hydroponics & Greenhouses magazine and served as its publisher and editor for 27 years. During that time the magazine became one of the world's leading specialist hydroponic publications, reaching growers, researchers, educators and industry professionals across Australia and internationally. Through hundreds of interviews, field visits and technical articles, he developed a practical understanding of hydroponic production systems ranging from small backyard installations to large-scale commercial enterprises.A passionate advocate for sustainable food production, Carruthers has written extensively on hydroponics, greenhouse technology, plant nutrition, integrated pest management, water conservation and urban agriculture. His work has received national and international recognition for excellence in horticultural journalism and communications.Beyond horticulture, Carruthers served in the Royal Australian Navy before working as a commercial diver in the offshore oil and gas industry. He is also a best-selling maritime historian and the author of several books exploring Australia's wartime history, including Australia Under Siege, A Parting Shot: Shelling of Australia by Japanese Submarines 1942, Ghost Below: The Lost Submarine of Sydney Harbour, and Japanese Submarine Raiders: A Silent War at Australia's Doorstep.Drawing on decades of experience in publishing, horticulture and practical growing, Carruthers is committed to making hydroponics accessible to home gardeners and encouraging greater awareness of sustainable methods of food production. His approach combines sound horticultural science with practical, real-world advice that readers can confidently apply in their own gardens.He lives on the New South Wales South Coast, where he continues to write, research and promote sustainable gardening and food-growing practices.