Ask anyone familiar with hydroponic gardening and they are likely to tell you it’s the wave of the future. As the world’s population increases and pressure on Earth’s resources is pushed toward the extreme, hydroponics offers a sustainable alternative.
Hydroponic production does not require acres of premier farmland for growing plants. Since it relies upon water-based nutrient solutions rather than soil, it can be located inside buildings or greenhouses. By recirculating the nutrient solution, systems use 80% to 95% less water than traditional farming. By controlling the indoor environment, crops are not subject to the unpredictability of weather, they require little pesticide control, and produce virtually no fertilizer runoff.
Other advantages include extending the growing season to year-round production and producing food in areas with limited water sources. Home gardeners can create rolling harvests in which small quantities are harvested consistently throughout the year. The most popular short-season crops are lettuce, celery, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs, although almost any crop can be grown hydroponically.
Since you control growing conditions, the growth rate is usually faster than in typical outdoor gardens. However, the warm environment combined with standing water can facilitate the spread of bacteria and viruses. You should maintain the system with food safety measures in mind. This means washing your hands thoroughly before interacting with the system, cleaning it regularly, and sanitizing tools.
Maintenance includes monitoring water levels because the plants take up water and release it through their leaves and roots could dry out. The ratio of water to nutrients also needs to be monitored as it changes over time. Keeping the right balance may be the most challenging aspect of hydroponic growing, but there are fertilizers formulated specifically for hydroponics that make it easier.
Air circulation is important since photosynthesis can slow down when plants grown in tight spaces lack sufficient carbon dioxide. It is also important to provide oxygen to the plant roots. This can be accomplished with aeration, which dissolves air in the water.
Like any indoor plant, the ones grown in hydroponic systems need light. Lighting changes with seasonal conditions, and optimal lighting depends on the time of year and what you are growing. You can purchase a hydroponic system with adjustable florescent or LED lights to meet lighting requirements.
In addition to lighting, when selecting a hydroponic system, consider the crops you want to grow, space requirements, growing time, system cost (ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars), and maintenance. The simplest home-use system, called “deep water culture,” suspends plants above a tank of nutrient-rich water with roots extending into the liquid. It is so simple that many DIY gardeners choose to make their own systems by following video instructions on YouTube.
Although there is a small learning curve when growing hydroponically, it is like learning any other skill. Practice makes perfect, and the journey is half the fun.
Master gardener Vicki Spencer has an eclectic background in conservation, water, natural resources, and more.
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