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Hydroponics
by definition, means 'water-working." In practical use,
it means growing plants in a water and nutrient solution, without
soil. Hydroponics allows a gardener to grow plants in a more
efficient and productive manner with less labor and time required.
The
science of hydroponics proves that soil isn't required for plant
growth but the elements, minerals and nutrients that soil contains
are. Soil is simply the holder of the nutrients, a place where
the plant roots traditionally live and a base of support for
the plant structure.
In
hydroponics you provide the exact nutrients your plants need,
so they can develop and grow. The nutrients are fed directly
at the root base, never stressing the plant due to lack of nutrients
or water.
Virtually
any plant will grow hydroponically, but some will do better
than others. Hydroponics growing is ideal for fruit bearing
crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, leafy crops,
like lettuce and herbs and flowing plants. Most hobby hydroponic
gardeners plant crops similar to what they would grow in a soil
garden
Most
commercial hydroponic growers combine hydroponic technology
with a controlled environment to achieve the highest quality
produce. Within a green- house structure you can control the
ambient temperature, humidity and light levels allowing you
to grow on a year- round basis.
Advantages
of Hydroponic Growing
There
are many advantages of hydroponic growing.
These include
- Most
hobby hydroponics gardens are less work than soil gardens
because you do not have soil to till or weeds to pull.
- By
eliminating the soil in a garden, you eliminate all soil borne
disease
- A
hydroponic garden uses a fraction of the water that a soil
garden does because no water is wasted or consumed by weeds.
- In
hydroponics, plant spacing can be intensive, allowing you
to grow more plants in a given space than soil grown produce.
- A
small hydroponics garden can be set up almost anywhere.
- By
providing the exact nutrients your plants need, they will
grow more rapidly and produce bigger yields.
- In
studies it has been proven that hydroponic produce is higher
in nutritional value than field grown crops.
- Hydroponics
produce generally tastes better than field-grown produce.
If you are growing indoors or in a greenhouse, you can grow
your hydroponic plants on a year-round basis.
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