Planting My Hydroponic Garden (Tomatoes & Peppers)

In today’s garden vlog at The Laidback Homestead, I’m planting out my hydroponic system with tomatoes and peppers for the 2026 spring garden season here in Louisiana. After starting over 40 tomato varieties from seed about 8 weeks ago, it’s finally time to move some of my strongest plants into our new DIY hydroponic garden system. In this video I show exactly how I plant tomatoes and peppers into perlite, how I mix my hydroponic nutrient solution using Masterblend, Epsom salt, and calcium nitrate, and why hydroponic gardening has become one of the easiest and most productive ways I grow food. We talk about the benefits of hydroponics like faster plant growth, fewer weeds, easier maintenance, and even season extension during the hot southern summers. I’m also sharing many of the tomato and pepper varieties going into the system including heirloom, paste, cherry, slicer, and sweet pepper varieties like Brad’s Atomic Grape, German Giant, Double Speckled Roman, Early Girl, Emerald Giant, Marconi peppers, and more. If you’re curious about hydroponic gardening, growing tomatoes hydroponically, or starting a backyard hydroponic system for beginners, this video will walk you through the entire planting process step-by-step while following along with our 2026 homestead garden season. Kingsyard Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=AWGTRLOZWLSF2&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1668478792&ref=sr_pg_1 20% Discount Code: LAIDBACK20 (valid until May 24th, 2026) Reach us at: thelaidbackhomestead@gmail.com Hydroponic Calculator: https://www.tool-rank.com/tool-blog/editorial/masterblend-hydroponic-fertilizer-calculator-for-any-container-size-201610071988/ Affiliate Links: Hydroponic System: -Bato Buckets: https://amzn.to/4aODjZ7 -1/2 in drip irrigation tubing: https://amzn.to/3Ouw2Gt -Paint Strainer Bags: https://amzn.to/4r0L8kt -1/4in drip line: https://amzn.to/4b7Lykd -Water Pump: https://amzn.to/46otWxQ -1/2 in to 1/4in irrigation fittings: https://amzn.to/4s8Y2hi -trays: https://amzn.to/4kpnHjc -self watering bucket inserts: https://amzn.to/473Ah1U 0:00 Intro – Planting My Hydroponic Garden 1:32 Benefits of Hydroponic Gardening 3:58 Hydroponic Planting Tips 6:55 Planting My Tomato & Pepper Varieties 12:28 Mixing My Hydroponic Nutrient Solution 15:11 Final Step & System Setup #garden #homestead #gardening #hydroponics #thelaidbackhomestead #backyardgardening #smallspacegardening #containergardening #hydroponicgarden 🌱 Welcome to The Laid-Back Homestead! 🌱 Here we inspire everyone to grow food in ANY space—backyards, balconies, or indoors. From gardening and hydroponics to cooking, preserving, and homesteading, I share simple, practical tips to help you grow more and enjoy your harvest. Subscribe and join our community of growers and homesteaders. Let’s grow something amazing—together!