J. Benton Jones Jr

Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. has 50 years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens, and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues. He currently has his own consulting company, Grosystems, Inc. Dr. Jones lives in Anderson, South Carolina.
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Articles by J. Benton Jones Jr

Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity


Electrical conductivity measurements were once one of the only ways growers could check up on the elemental concentrations of their...

Growing Plants Under Artificial Light: What’s Missing? Growing Plants Under Artificial Light: What’s Missing? Growing Plants Under Artificial Light: What’s Missing? Growing Plants Under Artificial Light: What’s Missing?


Sometimes, plants just don’t thrive under artificial lights, even when every aspect of the indoor growing environment is perfect. It's...

Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in the Garden and Greenhouse Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in the Garden and Greenhouse Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in the Garden and Greenhouse Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in the Garden and Greenhouse


Want to grow a full-flavor tomato fruit? A new book from Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. called Instructions for Growing Tomatoes in the Garden...

The Future of Soil Health Evaluation The Future of Soil Health Evaluation The Future of Soil Health Evaluation The Future of Soil Health Evaluation


Figuring out what makes for a healthy soil goes beyond its pH levels and how many nutrients it contains.

Plant Nutrition: To Supplement, or Not? Plant Nutrition: To Supplement, or Not? Plant Nutrition: To Supplement, or Not? Plant Nutrition: To Supplement, or Not?


From essential elements, to composts, to micro-organisms, there sure are a lot of things growers can provide their plants. But is it all...

Three Ways to Grow Organically Three Ways to Grow Organically Three Ways to Grow Organically Three Ways to Grow Organically


The organic growing trend is enticing in so many ways, which is why more and more people are giving it a go.

Why We Water: Maintaining Plant Turgidity and Nutritional Sufficiency Why We Water: Maintaining Plant Turgidity and Nutritional Sufficiency Why We Water: Maintaining Plant Turgidity and Nutritional Sufficiency Why We Water: Maintaining Plant Turgidity and Nutritional Sufficiency


Understanding the factors that determine water uptake and movement within plants can serve as a guide for determining when and how much...

Putting Nutrient Film Technique to the Test Putting Nutrient Film Technique to the Test Putting Nutrient Film Technique to the Test Putting Nutrient Film Technique to the Test


Since it was developed more than 30 years ago, the benefits of the nutrient film technique hydroponic growing system have been highly...

Understanding Microbial Activity in Plant Rooting Media Understanding Microbial Activity in Plant Rooting Media Understanding Microbial Activity in Plant Rooting Media Understanding Microbial Activity in Plant Rooting Media


Microbial activity involving bacteria and fungi in a rooting medium, whether it is soil or a soilless organic mix, has important...

How You Can Determine the Nutritional Value of a Compost Product How You Can Determine the Nutritional Value of a Compost Product How You Can Determine the Nutritional Value of a Compost Product How You Can Determine the Nutritional Value of a Compost Product


Determining the nutritional value of a compost product is not easy, but it can be done.

Hand holding pile of vermicompost Hand holding pile of vermicompost Hand holding pile of vermicompost Hand holding pile of vermicompost


Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. describes the physical properties of various vermicast materials.

Cucumber plants in a greenhouse surrounded by CO2 Cucumber plants in a greenhouse surrounded by CO2 Cucumber plants in a greenhouse surrounded by CO2 Cucumber plants in a greenhouse surrounded by CO2


Maintaining a constant level of CO2 in the air surrounding a plant is as important as maintaining its concentration levels. Here's how air...

Companion Elements in Organic Fertilizers Companion Elements in Organic Fertilizers Companion Elements in Organic Fertilizers Companion Elements in Organic Fertilizers


Do you know what you're feeding your plants? Here is a warning: companion elements in organic fertilizers can be deadly.

You are What you Eat: the Correlation of Plant Nutrition and Disease You are What you Eat: the Correlation of Plant Nutrition and Disease You are What you Eat: the Correlation of Plant Nutrition and Disease You are What you Eat: the Correlation of Plant Nutrition and Disease


Is plant nutrition correlated with disease and insect infestations? You bet it is! J. Benton Jones Jr. tells us all about it.

Transpiration: The Driving Force Behind Nutrient and Water Absorption Transpiration: The Driving Force Behind Nutrient and Water Absorption Transpiration: The Driving Force Behind Nutrient and Water Absorption Transpiration: The Driving Force Behind Nutrient and Water Absorption


We all know that water and nutrients move through a plant from roots to shoots, but do you know how that happens? Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr....

Organic Rooting Medium: Composting Woods Organic Rooting Medium: Composting Woods Organic Rooting Medium: Composting Woods Organic Rooting Medium: Composting Woods


Although fresh wood by-products like sawdust and pine bark are suitable for use in soilless organic rooting media mixes, most types contain...

Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing


Organic products are not the only way to go green in the garden. Making your system more efficient, while challenging, is another way.

Organic Fertilizer Elemental Contents: Do You Know What You’re Feeding Your Plants? Organic Fertilizer Elemental Contents: Do You Know What You’re Feeding Your Plants? Organic Fertilizer Elemental Contents: Do You Know What You’re Feeding Your Plants? Organic Fertilizer Elemental Contents: Do You Know What You’re Feeding Your Plants?


Knowing the elemental content of your organic fertilizer is imperative to plant health. However, as J. Benton Jones, Jr. points out, this...

Organic Concepts: Their Theories and Practices Organic Concepts: Their Theories and Practices Organic Concepts: Their Theories and Practices Organic Concepts: Their Theories and Practices


About 150 years ago, investigators proposed a concept known as the humus theory. While the original hypothesis was undermined years ago,...

How Well Are You Prepared? Identifying and Controlling Disease Organisms and Insects How Well Are You Prepared? Identifying and Controlling Disease Organisms and Insects How Well Are You Prepared? Identifying and Controlling Disease Organisms and Insects How Well Are You Prepared? Identifying and Controlling Disease Organisms and Insects


Selecting disease- and insect-resistant plants is a primary example of passive procedures for maintaining a garden free of disease...

Maintaining Consistency With a Greenhouse Ventilation System Maintaining Consistency With a Greenhouse Ventilation System Maintaining Consistency With a Greenhouse Ventilation System Maintaining Consistency With a Greenhouse Ventilation System


Effectively moving air within a greenhouse can be a challenge. Here, Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. discusses some design flaws that cause, and...

Let There Be Light: How Wavelength Composition, Intensity and Duration Affect Plants Let There Be Light: How Wavelength Composition, Intensity and Duration Affect Plants Let There Be Light: How Wavelength Composition, Intensity and Duration Affect Plants Let There Be Light: How Wavelength Composition, Intensity and Duration Affect Plants


There are three characteristics of light—be it natural or artificial—that impact plants: wavelength (spectral) composition, intensity and...

Nutrient Element Mixing to Formulate a Nutrient Solution Nutrient Element Mixing to Formulate a Nutrient Solution Nutrient Element Mixing to Formulate a Nutrient Solution Nutrient Element Mixing to Formulate a Nutrient Solution


The following article instructs on how to make your own nutrient solution and address all your garden’s requirements—perfect for the DIY...

Maintaining Control in the Greenhouse Maintaining Control in the Greenhouse Maintaining Control in the Greenhouse Maintaining Control in the Greenhouse


Your plants are just like you—they prefer the temperature and humidity to remain constant and comfortable all year-round. It’s up to you to...

Fertilizers: What’s for Dinner? Fertilizers: What’s for Dinner? Fertilizers: What’s for Dinner? Fertilizers: What’s for Dinner?


What exactly is a fertilizer and how do you know what’s in it? There are so many conflicting claims and so much confusing information out...

Q&A by J. Benton Jones Jr

What's the best way to thin too many seedlings in the cells of my seed tray? What's the best way to thin too many seedlings in the cells of my seed tray? What's the best way to thin too many seedlings in the cells of my seed tray? What's the best way to thin too many seedlings in the cells of my seed tray?


Normally, growers will put more than one seed in a germination cube or organic medium cell with the expectation that at least one of the...

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