Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil, either through placing the plants in a container of solution (known as solution culture), or through using another medium such as gravel or sand (known as medium culture). Hydroponics is becoming more and more common, particularly in countries where the climate makes growing outdoors difficult. Hydroponics can be done indoors (and is more effective this way, as the climate can be controlled), and ensures a high yield. For arid, dry climates or areas with short growing seasons hydroponics thus holds the solution.
Although the technology has been around for a number of years, it is only recently that hydroponics has begun to take over the growing industry as a viable and cost-effective way of producing high quality plants. Many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs available in supermarkets are grown using hydroponics – particularly salad greens and herb seedlings. Not only does hydroponics offer growers a guaranteed yield – a controlled climate without soil eliminates weather damage (flooding, drought, or winter and summer extremes), soil contaminants (metals, diseases, and residual chemicals), and pests (indoor growing means infestations are almost non-existent); but the science also uses less water than outside irrigation techniques and is therefore more cost-effective and friendlier to the environment.
Hydroponics aren’t just for large-scale producers either – schools use hydroponics kits for teaching purposes, keen gardeners use hydroponics in green houses, and communities or people living in remote areas may use hydroponics to supplement their normal food supply. The science is a popular one, due mostly to it’s obvious environmental, productive and cost benefits, and the improvements in technology will only continue to bring in interest.
Although the technology has been around for a number of years, it is only recently that hydroponics has begun to take over the growing industry as a viable and cost-effective way of producing high quality plants. Many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs available in supermarkets are grown using hydroponics – particularly salad greens and herb seedlings. Not only does hydroponics offer growers a guaranteed yield – a controlled climate without soil eliminates weather damage (flooding, drought, or winter and summer extremes), soil contaminants (metals, diseases, and residual chemicals), and pests (indoor growing means infestations are almost non-existent); but the science also uses less water than outside irrigation techniques and is therefore more cost-effective and friendlier to the environment.
Hydroponics aren’t just for large-scale producers either – schools use hydroponics kits for teaching purposes, keen gardeners use hydroponics in green houses, and communities or people living in remote areas may use hydroponics to supplement their normal food supply. The science is a popular one, due mostly to it’s obvious environmental, productive and cost benefits, and the improvements in technology will only continue to bring in interest.