What you need:

Container with lid: depending on the size of the plant you can start with something as small as a mason jar, a great option for experimenting with small at-home herb gardens. Many gardeners opt for a 5-gallon bucket. Just make sure your chosen container is large enough to accommodate the root systems of your plant. Your herbs will grow best if the water and root systems are not exposed to light, so if using a clear container like a mason jar you may want to wrap it in black paper or tape.

Net cup: growing containers made of webbed plastic with holes in the bottom to allow roots to reach the nutrients. These are essential for growing plants hydroponically.

Growing medium: These are PH neutral and used as an alternative to soil when growing plants hydroponically. Options include vermiculite, perlite, or coconut coir.

Herb seedlings or seeds: you can start your hydroponic garden with either. Seeds have the advantage of being much cheaper and needing a smaller container initially, but it will take around 3 months for seeds to mature and for you to have usable herbs. Seedlings can be ready for the first harvest within four weeks but are more costly due to the time already spent growing them. It all comes down to personal preference.

Nutrient solution: (such as a hydroponic fertilizer) As you won’t be using soil, all the nutrients your plant needs have to be added by you. The Kratky method usually uses a fertiliser mix of

pH control kit: This is optional but very useful as the pH of the water is important to the success of your plants’ growth.

Diagram showing the set up for the Kratky Method of hydroponics. A container filled with water holds a net cup containing growing medium and a seedling. The next panel shows the plant at a later stage of growth with more leaves.

Instructions:

  1. Cut  or drill a small hole in the lid of your container that is just large enough to fit your net cup or foam cup. This will be used to hold your growing medium and herbs.
  2. Add water to your container until it reaches the bottom of where the net cup will sit.
  3. Add your nutrient solution to the water in your container, following the instructions on the package.
  4. If you have a PH control kit, this is the point where you would test the PH of your water. Your water should be slightly acidic, within PH 5.5-6.5 for best results.
  5. Place the net cup into the hole you created for it, and fill it with your chosen growing medium, leaving enough space at the top for your herb seedlings or seeds. The water should not be covering the top of the growing medium.
  6. Add your herb seedlings or seeds to the growing medium, making sure to keep them moist.
  7. Cover your container with the lid and place it in a sunny spot.
  8. Check the water level in your container regularly and add more nutrient solution as needed. Your herbs should grow and thrive in the nutrient-rich water.
  9. Once your herbs have reached the desired size, simply harvest them and use them in your favourite cocktail recipes!

Tips and tricks:

  • If using a mason jar with a two-part lid you can replace the metal disk with a disk of cardboard or thin plastic that is easier to cut. This avoids needing to use a drill.
  • While the Kratky method is the most simple hydroponic method, it’s not completely hands-off as people sometimes claim. It’s important to keep an eye on your plants as they grow, and make sure they have enough light, water and nutrients.
  • If your plants aren’t growing as well as expected you might also want to check the PH of your water using the PH control kit we mentioned.

By using the Kratky method, you can easily set up a herb garden for cocktails at home or work that requires little maintenance and yields fresh, delicious herbs for your drinks. Try growing herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme to add unique and flavourful twists to your cocktails. For more inspiration on how to incorporate fresh herbs into your cocktails, come and join us a Shaker BarSchool course.