What if I told you there is a proven way to garden indoors with no messy soil, without pesticides or herbicides, and with higher yields than traditional soil gardening?
I’ve just described hydroponics. And, these are just some of the benefits.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without the use of soil. Instead of soil, plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution that is delivered directly to the plant roots.
Read on to learn more!
Benefits of Hydroponics Reason 1: Low Labor Requirements
Gardeners like myself are always trying to do more with less. So, let’s talk about the convenience of hydroponics.
One of the main benefits of hydroponic gardening is that it is much more labor efficient than traditional soil gardening.
Because hydroponics is done in a controlled environment, monitoring and maintaining plants is easier.
No more weeding! No more cleaning up tree debris from a neighbor’s yard! No more fixing sprinklers under the hot sun!
No more having to water more or less during a heat wave or rainy season.
We’ve had a really stormy spring and summer in my home city. My outdoor plants are having a really rough go. My indoor hydroponic plants are none the wiser!
You’ll notice minimal labor is a theme throughout a number of the benefits discussed in this article.
Anytime you talk about doing more gardening with less work, I’m in!
Benefits of Hydroponics Reason 2: Less Water Usage
Plants grown hydroponically require much less water than soil-grown plants.
Estimates on the amount of water saved as compared to traditional soil farming are as high as 95% depending on the crop!
This benefit alone makes hydroponics more sustainable and better overall for the environment than soil gardening.
Benefit 3: Year-round Gardening
Now I know some reading this will think, “I live in Hawaii. Growing year around is not a problem!”
Well, for those of us with cold winters, the ability to grow indoors is a very big advantage of hydroponics.
Hydroponic plants can be grown indoors in a climate-controlled environment so no more worrying about that heat wave or late frost. This makes it possible to grow a wide variety of plants, including fruits and vegetables, in any climate or location.
This aspect of hydroponics is especially beneficial for those living in areas with short growing seasons or harsh winters. Imagine having fresh, homegrown produce all year long!
Benefit 4: More Productive Gardening
Hydroponics also allows for higher crop yields.
First, the time to maturation is faster for hydroponic plants. In fact, some plants grow 30-50% faster than soil-based counterparts.
Let me give you an example. I’m able to harvest Bibb Lettuce that is grown hydroponically in my AeroGarden in about 35 days. That is much faster than I could harvest growing in soil even under the most optimal growing conditions!
Second, plants can be grown closer together in a hydroponic system which means more plants can be grown in a smaller space.
More plants per square foot + faster growth cycles = higher yields!
Doing more with less??? Yes, please!
Benefit 5: Space Efficiency
Hydroponics is a nice option for urban gardening as it can be done in small spaces, such as balconies, living rooms, or rooftops.
This is great for those that don’t have access to outdoor spaces with good lighting.
And, because hydroponics can be done in a vertical fashion, you have the ability to grow more in a confined space.
Benefit 6: Control Over Growing Environment
Another benefit of hydroponics is that it allows for greater control over the growth of plants.
With hydroponics, plants can be grown in specific temperatures, humidity, and light conditions. Each of these factors can be adjusted to optimize growth.
This level of control can be particularly useful for commercial growers as it allows for a more consistent product.
Benefit 7: Little Need for Pesticides and Herbicides
Because hydroponic plants are grown in a closed system, they are less susceptible to pests and diseases. This means they require much fewer pesticides and herbicides.
I’ve been growing for years in my home and have never had a single pest invade my plants.
Again, this has positive environmental benefits over traditional gardening where pesticides and herbicides are commonly needed.
And, coming full circle to the first benefit I mentioned, this means less work dealing with pests and more time enjoying my hobby.
Benefits of Hydroponics Summarized
Based on what you just read, you can guess growing hydroponically is a fantastic option for those looking to grow their own food.
- You can see higher yields compared to traditional soil gardening.
- You can grow year around.
- You don’t have to use potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides.
- Many hydroponic gardens are designed to be used in a small space, such as a balcony, rooftop, closet, or even a living room or kitchen, which makes it possible for those living in tight quarters to grow their own food.
Bonus Benefit: Annual and Perennial Flowers at Your Fingertips
You thought I was done! Before I go, I need to leave you with one more benefit of hydroponics: cheaply grown annuals and perennials.
When I got started, I didn’t realize the potential to grow annual or perennial flowers year around that can be enjoyed indoors or planted outside once mature.
This method is an awesome way to get started growing annuals or perennials from seed during winter months that can then be transplanted after the last frost.
It is a terrific way for a traditional soil gardener to stay busy during the winter all the while growing beautiful plants for their outdoor garden.
One of the biggest benefits here is with the cost savings.
The cost of annuals and perennials has gone up significantly over the past few years. I save a ton of money growing perennials from seed for transplant into the outdoor garden after just a few weeks.
Also, imagine not having to pay retail prices for ready-to-bloom annuals!
Conclusion
I hope by now you understand the many benefits of hydroponics.
All the reasons above underscore why I’m a big believer in growing hydroponically and have made it my preferred way to garden.
Some even believe hydroponic gardening is the future of food production. I wrote about this in my article discussing whether vertical farming is the future of agriculture.
Now, hydroponic gardening is not without its pitfalls. I want you to know it isn’t always easy.
You’ve heard that expression, “there is no such thing as a free lunch”? Well, that certainly applies here.
I think you should read the article I wrote that explains why hydroponics is bad.
And, after reading that, if you are ready to move to the next steps, start learning about the Kratky Method and the other hydroponic systems you should consider.
Happy gardening!
