Grow Spaces
Kratky in an RV or Van
Kratky needs no pump and no power, which suits life on the road. The challenge in an RV or van is movement: solution sloshes on travel days, and the light and temperature change every time you park.
What an RV or Van Changes
The off-grid guide covers growing without power. On the road you have the same freedom from electricity, plus two new problems: the container moves, and the space around it changes from day to day. A sunny campsite one week can be a shaded forest the next.
Stopping Spills on Travel Days
Sloshing is the biggest problem. Solution splashing up wets the upper roots that should be in air, and spills on the floor.
- Use containers with screw-on or clip-on lids, and net cups that fit snugly. A foam collar around the net cup closes the gap.
- Choose narrow-mouthed, tall containers over wide trays: less surface to slosh.
- Keep the solution level a little lower than you would at home.
- Before a long drive, pour off some solution into a sealed bottle, and add it back when you park.
Securing Containers
- Stand containers in a bin, crate or cupholder-style tray so they can’t slide or tip.
- Wedge them with towels or foam, or strap the bin to a fixed rail.
- Keep them low, on the floor or a counter with a lip, never on a high shelf.
- Move them off the dashboard before driving; it is unsafe and gets very hot.
Light on the Road
Windows and a skylight give most RVs and vans a surprising amount of light, but it changes every time you park. When you set up camp, move containers to the side that faces the sun. A small 12-volt or USB grow light, run from your house battery or solar, helps on shaded sites, though it isn’t essential.
Heat and Cold When Parked
A closed vehicle in the sun gets hot quickly, and the solution warms with it. In cold weather, an unheated rig can freeze overnight.
- When you leave the rig in sun, crack the vents and move containers off the sunny side.
- Use light-colored, opaque containers, which absorb less heat.
- In cold weather, keep containers in the middle of the rig, away from windows and the floor.
Water on the Road
Fresh water is often limited in an RV or van. Kratky uses little: a lettuce plant drinks roughly a gallon over its life. Mix solution with water from your fresh tank or a clean source, and test pH if the water changes from place to place. The pH without a meter article covers simple tests.
What Grows Well
- Herbs: basil, chives, mint and parsley, which stay compact.
- Loose-leaf lettuce: pick outer leaves as you go.
- Green onions: regrow from root ends, and travel well.
Skip tall plants. They catch on everything and tip on the first bend.
RV and Van Checklist
- Lidded containers with snug net cups
- A bin or tray to stop sliding, wedged or strapped down
- Solution a little low on travel days
- Containers moved to the sunny side at each campsite
- Vents open when parked in sun
RV and Van Questions
Can you grow Kratky in a moving vehicle?
Yes, with lidded containers, snug net cups and a lower solution level on travel days, all held in a bin so they can’t tip.
Does Kratky need power in an RV?
No. Kratky needs no pump. A small 12-volt light is optional for shaded campsites.
What is the best Kratky crop for van life?
Compact herbs, loose-leaf lettuce and green onions. Avoid tall plants that tip on bends.