MINIMUM TOOLS NEEDED
In a truly desperate emergency situation, you can make a small hydroponic gardening container out of a large plastic tub with some holes cut in the lid, an aquarium bubbler, fresh water, and a bag of plant nutrients.
In fact, if you’re setting up an outdoor hydroponic garden, you don’t need much more than that. The wind and sun will take care of the humidity and lighting.
In addition to your large plastic tubs, you’re going to need a source of light, a source of heat, ventilation fans, and a “grow” medium. The light source will substitute for the sunlight they’re missing outside. The heat will keep your plants warm in the winter. The ventilation fans will keep the humidity at a reasonable level. Finally, the grow medium gives your plant roots something to cling onto in place of soil.