I’m getting started
Understand the growing method before buying equipment.
Explore hydroponic basics →Compare garden formats →THE SCOUT LEARNING LIBRARY
Grow something
you can eat.
A good demonstration can make the next step click. Choose what you need to do, then browse videos for your crop or setup.
15 videos · Selected by task · Review status shown
Choose a short learning path ↓What we’ve checked: public availability, descriptions, chapter lists and task overlap. One publisher transcript has been reviewed; the other 14 still need transcript review. None has had a full footage review. This is a shortlist, not a ranking of the best videos. Our selection limits
START WITH YOUR TASK
What do you need help with?
I’m ready to plant
Find a demonstration for seeds, lighting or nutrient mixing.
Seeds and lighting →Nutrients, pH and EC →Something’s wrong
Look for your issue and check whether the equipment matches yours. Owner demonstrations aren’t a diagnosis.
Algae and root troubleshooting →System care and resets →I want regular harvests
Learn how to harvest, then plan the next planting.
Lettuce demonstrations →Plan a lettuce rotation →A SHORT ROUTE TO GET STARTED
Choose your first growing project.
Pick a project and follow the videos in order, or skip what you know. Times are watching time, not growing time. Content reviews are still pending unless a video says otherwise.
Your first hydroponic lettuce
For beginners trying a small passive system. The bucket demonstration uses outdoor conditions; add an indoor lighting plan.
Understand the methodEpic Gardening · 3:59Decide whether a pump-free container suits your space.
Follow the seed-to-bucket sequenceSeminole County Government · 8:53Check the materials and current nutrient label before starting.
Understand seedling lightingGrowVeg · 6:20Plan light for young plants; check separate requirements for finishing lettuce.
Then: Read the harvesting guide before cutting. The kitchen planner models whole-head rotations, not repeated leaf picking. Check realistic salad output →
Your first tray of microgreens
For beginners who want a tray-growing project rather than a mature lettuce plant.
Start this pathThen: Start with one suitable edible seed variety and follow its supplier instructions. Microgreen trays are not modelled by our lettuce planner. Compare growing formats →
Start an indoor herb garden
For beginners growing culinary herbs in containers. This route is not a branded hydroponic-appliance setup.
Plan herbs and containersThe Ripe Tomato Farms · 27:16Choose herbs, growing medium and a place with suitable light.- Arrange light for seedlingsGrowVeg · 6:20Use this if starting from seed; a purchased established herb may skip this step.
Find the first basil cutCulinary Herb Garden · 1:53Use this step for basil only, once your plant is ready; other herbs need different pruning.
Then: Begin with a small number of herbs you cook with. Check plant-specific care instead of applying basil pruning to every herb. Compare countertop options →
Browse by crop or task.
Check the equipment notes before choosing. Videos open on YouTube.
No lessons match those words. Try a crop, creator or broader topic.
02 LESSONS
Lettuce & salad greens
From a first lettuce container to repeat harvests.
Go further with ScoutCan your garden supply enough salad?Read the extension-sourced harvesting guide
8:53Build a simple lettuce bucket with UF/IFAS
An extension demonstration with a published transcript, from starting seedlings to a whole-head harvest.
Publisher transcript reviewed · footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Beginners exploring passive hydroponic lettuce.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- A university-extension source with an inspectable transcript and a concrete setup-to-harvest sequence.
- What it doesn’t settle
- The demonstration uses Florida outdoor growing conditions. Indoor lighting needs a separate plan; nutrient quantities depend on the product and water.
What you’ll learn in this video
- Start lettuce in saturated grow cubes, then transplant rooted seedlings.
- Prepare a bucket lid and support seedlings in net cups.
- Add hydroponic nutrients and check solution pH.
- Recognise the falling water level and harvest the mature head.
For this lesson Five-gallon bucket, net cups, grow cubes and hydroponic nutrients
Source & verification
Original title: Hydroponic Lettuce Hannah Wooten
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
4:42Harvest lettuce while leaving it growing
A visual lesson on repeat lettuce harvests. Read our extension-sourced harvesting guide alongside it for plant-type differences and limits to regrowth.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Growers with established leaf lettuce deciding what to cut.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The published topic matches the harvesting task and can be paired with our extension-sourced written guide.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Outdoor examples are not an indoor yield trial. Plant type and condition limit repeat harvests.
For this lesson Established lettuce and clean cutting tools
Source & verification
Original title: How to Harvest Lettuce so it Keeps Growing All Season
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
02 LESSONS
Indoor herbs & basil
Choose a setup, then learn where and when to prune.
27:16Plan your first indoor herb garden
A longer introduction covering several culinary herbs, containers and spacing. Helpful when you want to choose a growing approach before buying supplies.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Beginners choosing herbs and containers rather than a branded appliance.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The description explicitly covers containers, drainage, light, growing medium and several herbs in one longer reference.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Not a model-specific hydroponic setup or a guaranteed year-round harvest plan.
For this lesson Herb seeds and containers
Source & verification
Original title: Indoor Herb Gardens - The Definitive Guide For Beginners
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
1:53Make a basil seedling’s first cut
A close-up demonstration of early basil pruning and leaf identification. Useful for the moment when a small seedling is ready for its first shaping cut.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Growers facing their first pruning decision on a young basil plant.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The description identifies a single decision: distinguish leaf types, decide when to prune and locate the cut, in under two minutes.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Not a complete basil-growing guide; full footage still needs review for visual clarity.
For this lesson Young basil and clean scissors
Source & verification
Original title: How To Prune Basil Seedlings - How And When To Make The First Cut
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
01 LESSONS
Microgreens
Follow a short tray-growing cycle from seed to kitchen.
10:30Take microgreens from seed to harvest
A beginner walkthrough covering growing medium, sowing, lighting and cutting. A good overview before choosing your first tray and seed variety.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Home beginners wanting a start-to-harvest overview.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- Published chapters cover supplies, growing steps and harvesting/storage in about ten minutes.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Seed-specific timing and hygiene need separate checking. Equipment links are commercial; this is not a food-safety assessment.
For this lesson Tray, seed, medium and light
Source & verification
Original title: How To Grow Microgreens (For Beginners)
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
01 LESSONS
Kratky & hydroponic basics
Understand the water, roots and equipment before building.
3:59Build a simple Kratky container
An introduction to non-circulating hydroponics for leafy greens and herbs. A useful first lesson if you want to understand passive growing.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- First-time DIY growers choosing a pump-free method.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- A focused four-minute setup introduction; the description also links to the original Kratky paper.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Does not establish a full indoor lighting plan or reliable household yield. The 2016 equipment links may be outdated.
For this lesson Container, net pot and nutrients
Source & verification
Original title: How to Set Up The Kratky Hydroponics Method (Tutorial)
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
02 LESSONS
Seeds & grow lights
Give young food plants a workable start indoors.
5:41Start seeds for a hydroponic garden
A household-material seed-starting demonstration, using peppers as the example. Follow the germination process before choosing a finishing system.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- DIY growers starting seedlings rather than buying ready-made pods.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The description specifies household germination materials and a hydroponic seed-starting task in under six minutes.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Peppers are the example; do not copy their timing to lettuce. Commercial supply links are disclosed.
For this lesson Seeds and germination containers
Source & verification
Original title: How to Start Seeds for Hydroponics
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
6:20Use lights for stronger seedlings
By GrowVeg
Explains grow lights in an indoor seed-starting context. Useful when window light is insufficient and you want to understand the lighting setup.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Beginners whose seedlings do not get enough window light.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The description focuses on seedling light and practical arrangement instead of a shopping list of fixtures.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Published in 2014; fixture examples can be dated. Seedling advice is not a mature-crop lighting specification.
For this lesson Seedlings and grow lights
Source & verification
Original title: How to Grow Healthier Seedlings Using Grow Lights
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
03 LESSONS
Nutrients, pH & EC
Learn the measurements and mixing process, then check your product label.
Go further with ScoutCompare systems and ongoing suppliesUnderstand a proprietary plant-and-supply plan
12:46Compare one-, two- and three-part nutrients
An explanation of hydroponic nutrient formats and terminology. Useful before choosing a product; it is not a crop-specific dosing prescription.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Beginners comparing one-, two- and three-part products.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The topic directly addresses nutrient-format vocabulary before a purchase or mixing decision.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Not a recipe, dosing chart or crop-specific feeding plan. Full technical claims remain to be checked.
For this lesson No equipment needed to learn
Source & verification
Original title: Hydroponic Nutrients EXPLAINED | Beginners Guide to 1, 2, and 3 part solutions, Organic Vs Synthetic
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
2:33Watch a three-part mixing sequence
A short demonstration using General Hydroponics Flora Series. Check current manufacturer directions and measuring units before applying it to your reservoir.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Growers using the named General Hydroponics nutrient family.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- A short, product-specific mixing demonstration is a more bounded reference than generic base-nutrient advice.
- What it doesn’t settle
- A 2013 demonstration: follow the current product label, units and crop directions rather than treating old doses as current.
For this lesson Three-part nutrients and measuring tools
Source & verification
Original title: How To Mix a 3-Part Hydroponics Nutrient Solution
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
4:36Understand an EC/TDS meter
An introduction to using a conductivity meter with hydroponic nutrients. Keep EC and the meter’s converted TDS scale distinct when comparing instructions.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Beginners learning what their nutrient meter displays.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- Published chapters separate EC, TDS, taking a reading and meter storage in under five minutes.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Not a pH-meter calibration guide. PPM conversions depend on the meter scale; it does not prescribe a universal nutrient target.
For this lesson EC/TDS meter and nutrient solution
Source & verification
Original title: How To Measure You Nutrients Using A TDS / EC Meter | Understanding Hydroponic Nutrients And Tools
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
03 LESSONS
System care & resets
Model-specific demonstrations and owner experiences.
3:39Farmstand: weekly maintenance
By Lettuce Grow · Manufacturer
Lettuce Grow’s own overview of refilling, nutrients and pH checks. Use the current dosing instructions for your exact Farmstand configuration.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Owners of a compatible Lettuce Grow Farmstand.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- Direct manufacturer guidance is a better starting reference for routine care than an owner reset anecdote.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Manufacturer source, not independent evidence. Check current instructions; Farmstand guidance is not automatically Nook guidance.
For this lesson Lettuce Grow Farmstand
Source & verification
Original title: How to: Weekly Maintenance
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
1:26Gardyn: prune plant roots
By Gardyn · Manufacturer
Gardyn’s own root-pruning demonstration. Check the current help instructions for your device and plant before trimming; this is manufacturer guidance.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Gardyn owners checking a device-specific maintenance step.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The manufacturer supplies a short demonstration for a specific maintenance task.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Not applicable to every hydroponic garden or a complete cleaning guide. Check current Gardyn instructions.
For this lesson Gardyn system and pruning tools
Source & verification
Original title: How to Prune Plant Roots
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
24:45Start your own seedlings for larger systems
By LittleTechGirl's Digital Homestead
A multi-system grower discusses raising transplants for several branded gardens. Check compatibility with your model instead of assuming every plug fits.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Existing owners considering their own seedlings instead of purchased starts.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- The description names several systems and links seed-starting templates, addressing a practical ownership question.
- What it doesn’t settle
- An owner source with affiliate links. Plug fit and model compatibility require checking; savings are not established.
For this lesson Seed-starting supplies and target system
Source & verification
Original title: Growing Your Own Seedlings for Lettuce Grow, iHarvest, Gardyn, Rise Garden or Other Large Systems
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
01 LESSONS
Algae & root troubleshooting
Practical observations to help you ask better troubleshooting questions.
1:21Cover unused openings to discourage algae
A short rail-system demonstration using hole plugs. Useful for understanding an equipment-based way to limit exposed nutrient solution; fit depends on your system.
Description screened · transcript and footage review pending
- Who it suits
- Rail-system owners with unused planting openings.
- Why it’s on the shortlist
- A very short, concrete demonstration about covering unused holes instead of a broad troubleshooting promise.
- What it doesn’t settle
- Covers must fit your system. This does not diagnose every cause of algae or treat contaminated water.
For this lesson Rail system and correctly sized covers
Source & verification
Original title: Simple Way to Prevent Algae in a Hydroponic Rail System
Published . Public watch-page metadata checked October 18, 2026. Selection notes based on published descriptions and chapters unless a publisher transcript is linked. No full footage review or independent growing test. Creators may promote products or use affiliate links.
How we selected these videos.
We narrowed 50 candidates to 14 task-focused choices and added a university-extension demonstration with a published transcript. We compared scope, chapter information, equipment fit and overlap. Views and subscriber counts did not determine the shortlist. Some demonstrations use outdoor conditions, which we flag.
On October 18, 2026, we checked each video’s public watch-page metadata, creator, title, duration and publication date. Our notes primarily assess published descriptions and chapters. The UF/IFAS lesson also has a reviewed publisher transcript. We have not completed full footage reviews or independently validated every technique. Older lessons may show discontinued equipment. Always check your current device and nutrient instructions.
Videos and thumbnails belong to their creators. Watching takes you to YouTube; no video player loads automatically here. Thumbnail images are served by YouTube. Creators may sell equipment, receive sponsorships or use affiliate links. Our video links are ordinary links, and inclusion does not imply endorsement by the creator.
Read our sourcing and corrections policy · Browse the written guides