Description
Grow with water you understand
In hydroponics, water is the growing medium, the fertiliser carrier and the root environment all at once. There is no soil to buffer mistakes. Whatever is in your water goes straight to your plants, and plants react within days.
Clean Water, Better Harvests is written by water chemist Lesley Mukwada (M.Sc. Polymer Science, Cand.Sci.Nat.), Founder & Director of The Chemistry Solutions Company. It turns water science into clear decisions you can act on this week.
Who it’s for
- Home and hobby growers running towers, DWC, NFT or small drip systems
- Commercial growers of leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries
- Schools, NGOs and community gardens that need a safe, practical starting point
What’s inside
- Why water quality decides your harvest: why hydroponics is less forgiving than soil
- Know your water source: municipal, borehole, rainwater, RO and blending compared, plus a decision flowchart
- The core measurements: EC and ppm, pH, alkalinity vs hardness, root-zone temperature, dissolved oxygen and ORP, with pH availability and oxygen vs temperature charts
- Problem ions and contaminants: sodium and chloride build-up, ion competition, micronutrients, boron, the “pH rebound”, iron, chlorine and chloramine, and heavy metals
- Microbes: food safety, root disease, algae and everyday hygiene habits
- The treatment toolkit: filtration, RO, acid dosing, UV, ozone and more, with a system diagram
- Testing and monitoring: what to test, where and how often, plus a printable log sheet
- Troubleshooting guide: symptom → cause → check → fix
- Grower calculations: blending, salt build-up, acid dosing and reading lab reports
- Crop guide (new): EC, pH, temperature, light and time to harvest for 15 crops, which crops can share a reservoir, water watch-outs for each crop, and crops for cool, warm and low-water conditions
- Quick reference: target ranges and checklists to print and keep by your system
The handbook also includes a glossary and 21 references. These include DWAF’s South African Water Quality Guidelines, SANS 241:2015, J. Benton Jones, Jr.’s Complete Guide for Growing Plants Hydroponically, ZipGrow’s crop guide, peer-reviewed research and grower extension guides.
Crops covered: lettuce, arugula, kale, bok choy, mustard greens, Swiss chard, basil, chives, cilantro, fennel, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and strawberries.
Why this guide
- Written for South African conditions: borehole salinity, municipal chloramine, load-shedding, and Highveld and Lowveld climates
- Evidence-based: every key claim is referenced
- Visual and practical: 8 figures, worked examples, tables and checklists
Format
PDF, A4, 37 pages including the covers. It is readable on phone, tablet or computer, and printable.
FAQ tab
Is this a physical book?
No. It’s an instant PDF download.
I’m a beginner. Is it too technical?
No. Chapters 1–3 explain the basics in plain language with charts. The calculations chapter is there for when you need it.
Does it include nutrient recipes?
No. It focuses on water quality and how water interacts with your nutrient programme, and gives target ranges and indicative EC by crop.
Can I share it with my staff?
Yes, within your own household or business. It may not be resold or shared publicly.
I bought the earlier version. Do I get the update?
Yes. Log in to My Account › Downloads to get the latest version.
Refunds?
Digital downloads are non-refundable once downloaded. Contact us if there’s a problem with your file.
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