What is Hydroponics?
The name 'hydroponics' literally means working water in Latin. That's essentially what it is. It's growing plants in the water without the aid of soil. While it might seem like a new or even space-aged concept, the idea of working water to grow plants has been around for quite some time. A Times magazine article dating back to 1938 describes how hydroponics was used to grow plants on the Pacific Islands. According to this article, this was the first instance of hydroponics being used on a scale large enough to feed a group of people. Essentially, the discovery meant that fresh produce could be enjoyed in the unlikeliest of places such as the desert or Antarctica. But NASA had even grander designs at the time with an eye to the future and space, believing that something as complex as a life support system could be created around hydroponics. There is even talk of hydroponics being used on other planets. Who knows, maybe this could be the first step towards truly terraforming other planets so they can sustain life?
How does it Work?
Hydroponics might sound like it's as simple as placing a seed in water and waiting for it to grow. But there's a little more to it than that. The next steps, of course, will depend on the specific method you wish to use for your hydroponic gardening experience. The long and short of it is that hydroponics works by adding essential nutrients to the plants water supply. Surprisingly enough, it has been discovered over the years that this process, which reuses the water once it's been cycled through, uses less water than is used when growing plants in the soil. Another surprising revelation is that the plants actually have a better yield when grown in water rather than earth. These plants also grow much faster, 30 to 50 faster, to be exact, than soil-based plants. One popular theory as to why this is the case is that the extra oxygen in the water at the roots allows them to open up and accept the nutrients more readily than is possible in the soil. The really great thing about hydroponics is that we're just now reaching the point where technology is able to do some really neat things with the plants that are grown in water. The future for this field is one that's truly exciting to anyone interested in practical applications for hydroponics around the world. For those interested in sustainability and/or sustainable gardening, the possibilities are nearly limitless. One thing is certain, hydroponics may have its roots in the past but it is destined to be part of our future as well.
Benefits of Hydroponic Farming
For some people, hydroponic farming is simply a novel idea. However, there are some very distinct benefits you might want to explore before you dismiss this as something insignificant or a passing fancy. The truth is that hydroponics may provide the first viable option for sustainable gardening we've seen and it has a few surprise benefits and bonuses that most people are definitely not expecting to see when they begin exploring hydroponics.
Uses Less Water than Soil Gardening
Bet you weren't expecting this one. But it's true. For the most part, hydroponics gardening recycles the water that is used so that the water that delivers the nutrients is used over and over again.
Doesn't Require Acres upon Acres of Land
While it does require some space to use hydroponics, the fact remains that fewer plants net larger yields. This means that you can get more fruits and vegetables from much less real estate than with soil gardening.
Year Round Results
This is a major benefit that isn't really discussed enough. For the most part, soil gardening is limited to a specific growing season. That isn't the case with hydroponics. It's possible to enjoy fresh crisp greens, ripe red peppers, and a wide variety of other favorites no matter what time of year it is.
No Longer Hampered by Location
Another huge disappointment for many people who grew up in certain regions and then moved to discover that their favorite vegetables or fruits can't grow in their new home can now be overlooked. Now you can grow them'no matter where you live. All you need are the seeds and the proper nutrient solution for the veggies you wish to grow.
Can be Used in Locations where Soil Based Planting Isn't Possible
This is huge plus in the hydroponics column for people who live in rocky regions, icy regions, or in the heart of the desert where traditional means of growing gardens simply isn't possible. There are few places on earth where fresh fruits and vegetables aren't sorely appreciated when available. When you go without them long enough, you begin to really understand their worth. Now, you don't have to life in sunny climes with fertile soil in order to enjoy nature's bounty. You can enjoy the best Mother Nature has to offer anywhere and during any season. Even long ocean voyages (above or below the sea's surface) can make sure to have a few delicious vegetables along to appease the crew. With so many big benefits available through hydroponics it really makes you wonder why it isn't used more widely in today's society. One reason is that technology has just now reached a point where this has become a feasible and usable method of planting'especially on a wide scale. It's fairly safe to say, however, that it will grow more widely used in the future.
Who Can Start a Hydroponics Garden?
Hydroponics gardening is much simpler than traditional gardening methods. If you're concerned about the scientific aspects of this particular garden, don't be. There are all kinds of kits on the market today that take all the 'guess work' out of the process for you. All you need to do is follow the step by step instructions they come with and 'voila!' You have a beautiful hydroponics garden of your very own. More importantly, you can begin enjoying the fruits of your labor much faster than if you had gone to all the trouble if tilling and planting your garden in soil'assuming of course that you have the space required to do so. So, who can start their own hydroponics garden?
Busy Moms
Mom's today want it all. They want to take the bulls by the horns and experience a little bit of everything. For many moms, however, the idea of gardening, as much as they'd love to add it to their long lists of accomplishment is one they lack the time, talent, and knowledge to get up and running. Hydroponic gardens, on the other hand, can be started in a matter of minutes and do not require endless hours of pulling weeds, watering, and caring for in the same way that soil based gardens require so much time and attention. This means that with a few minutes here and there, even busy moms can grow hydroponic gardens.
Younger Children
Children love growing things. It's a cycle and they love every minute of it. Hydroponic gardens provide an additional joy for little ones who won't have to wait nearly as long in order to receive the results they want for their efforts. From watching the first little sprouts of green appear to seeing the finished fruit (or veggies of course) ripe for the plucking takes up to 50 percent less time with hydroponic gardening than it does with traditional soil-based gardening methods.
The Elderly
Older people may have more difficulty bending, kneeling, and standing in traditional gardens. Those things do not slow them down, however, with hydroponic gardens. Hydroponic gardens can operate on their level so that none of the painful aspects of gardening apply to them. They enjoy all the pleasure of gardening with none of the pain that has become associated with it over the years. Chances are you fall into one of these groups of people who can start your own hydroponics garden. If you're not, don't worry. The list is by no means complete. The truth of the matter is that there aren't many people out there who can't start them'or enjoy the results.
What can be Grown with Hydroponics?
As you learn more about the many benefits hydroponics has to offer, your curiosity about the specific types of plants that can be grown via hydroponics is bound to grow as well. While not every plant is a prime candidate for hydroponic gardening, there is a surprisingly large number of plants that are. The bottom line is that you can eat well throughout the year if you put your mind and your hydroponic growing efforts to it. Here are just a few of the plants you might want to consider growing through hydroponics.
Flowering Plants
Some of the most popular flowering plants can be grown hydroponically. The thing you need to remember is that flowering plants often have very specific pH and/or nutritional needs. You can't mix these kinds of plants in the same pods (or growing environments) and expect them all to thrive. Among the types of vegetation that can be grown with hydroponics are: roses, petunias, carnations, lilies, sunflowers, and orchids.
Vine Vegetables
Vine vegetables seem to thrive through hydroponic gardening efforts. Some of the most successful include: cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, sweet peppers, broccoli, and squash. You might find other vegetables that work well with hydroponics, depending on which method you adopt and how much you're willing to work with the plants in order to make them work. These are some of the most successful.
Fruits
While not all fruits are well suited to hydroponics, others are remarkably inclined to thrive in this type of environment. Blackberries, blueberries, bananas, papayas, raspberries, and strawberries make excellent starts.
Herbs
As with flowering vegetation, it's important to allow herbs to share a unit only if they have pH levels and nutritional requirements that are very similar. Some of the common herbs to grow with hydroponics are: basil, chives, parsley, rosemary, spearmint, and thyme. One thing to remember with herbs though is that they tend to have more flavor when grown in the soil (unlike fruits and vegetables). If you want to make the most of the flavor, make sure you add nutrients that are specific to the needs of the herb you're attempting to grow. These are all excellent choices for growing via hydroponics. However, it's important to point out the fact that there are a few vegetables that do not thrive in a hydroponic growing environment. These are root vegetables for the most part and include: potatoes, carrots, and peanuts in addition to the other major root vegetables. Other than these vegetables, that need the cool darkness of the earth in order to thrive, there's really no reason not to try other vegetables you're interested in growing hydroponically. You never know what might work.
Common Methods of Hydroponic Gardening
The thing to remember when you're studying options for hydroponic gardening is that there are many different options available to use. You'll have to find the one that works best for you and adapt it to your own unique situation and operating environment. While there are literally hundreds of different methods to choose from, these are some of the most common you'll find today.
Aeroponic
This is the most space-aged of all the common hydroponic gardening methods available. In this system, the growing medium for the plants is essentially air. The roots are left hanging and the nutrient solution is applied via a very fine mist on the roots. The mist function triggers every few minutes so the roots remain moist. If the misting process is interrupted for any reason, they will dry out quickly.
Drip Systems
This is the most commonly used of all hydroponic systems in the world today. It works with a timer that manages a submerged pump. When triggered, the pump turns on and drips the nutrient solution to the base of all the plants in the drip line. Recovery drip systems recover the water that runs off afterwards in the reservoir so that it can be reused. This is a much more efficient system than the non-recovery drip system that does not collect the run off. However, the non-recovery system requires less maintenance than the recovery system to ensure that proper pH and nutrient strength is maintained.
Water Culture
This is perhaps the easiest of the major hydroponic systems to implement. Create a platform made of Styrofoam to hold the plants and allow it to float on top of the solution of nutrients and water. An air pump supplies air to the stone that sends nutrients. This creates nutrient bubbles that deliver large amounts of nutrient to the plant. This system works wonders for leafy lettuce plants that grow quickly and love lots of water. It isn't, however, useful for many other plants. For anyone who can't seem to get enough lettuce though, this is an excellent choice.
Wick System
This is another relatively simple system to use for hydroponics. A wick is used in order to draw the nutrients from the reservoir and into the growing system. While this is a simple process to use, larger plants do not thrive with this system as it cannot deliver the nutrients to them quickly enough. Any of these hydroponic methods has its own strengths and weaknesses. You'll have to find the system that suits your lifestyle, available space, and time constraints to try. Of course you might want to try out a few and see which you prefer.
How Much Space do You Need for a Hydroponic Garden?
One thing that most people think of when they think of gardens is huge acres of land with row after row of plants. That isn't always necessary. In fact, there are many very small gardens that meet the needs of the grower and his or her family quite nicely. You don't need a lot of space to have a productive vegetable, fruit, and/or flower garden'especially if you're going to be creating a hydroponic garden. But, how much space do you really need in order to create an impressive hydroponics garden overflowing with your favorite fruits and vegetables? Not nearly as much as you think!
Inside Your House
You don't need a ton of surface space in order to make a great you can use one small table or a large table or even a few plant stands to grow a nice sized vegetable garden for your small family. The fact that the garden can continue producing year round means that you don't need to have a large yield at any one time in order to freeze or can your vegetables for winter. You can enjoy fresh veggies whenever you'd like without cramping your living arrangements or turning your home into what looks like a giant science experiment.
In Your Basement
If you're interested in a large scale growing project you can use hydroponics in your basement to grow a very impressive garden that will leave plenty of fruits and vegetables left over to share with your friends and family. You'll need some strong sun lights and fans to provide adequate circulation but the results can save your family a lot of time and money throughout the year on grocery bills will ensuring that you have the freshest possible selection of vegetables in every season.
In Your Apartment
Apartments are notoriously short on space. However, you really don't need to have a lot of space to grow a hydroponic garden'depending on what kind of scale and scope you have in mind. Most people living in apartments aren't trying to feed large families. This makes it even better suited to a small hydroponics hanging garden for your windows. The yield for each plant is fairly large with hydroponics and you can have several different plants hanging in one window. There are several different kits you can purchase that make this an easy option for anyone who likes fresh vegetables on demand. You can even grow vegetables on a boat'where space is premium, with hydroponics. There really aren't many places you can't grow vegetables, fruits, and flowering plants with hydroponics if you're willing to devote a little time on the front end to getting everything set up and ready to go.