The Truth About Hydroponic Farming

Hydroponics can be used to grow crops either for home or commercial use. This technology isn’t new. It is actually an old version that was used to make the hanging gardens of Babylon. Hydroponics is a science that helps us grow more food from less resources.

Hydroponic Farming

Hydroponic farms can be described as a way to grow water in place of soil. The water is then treated using solutions to ensure that nutrients are readily available and produce healthy yields. Depending on the plants being grown, nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen can be added to the water.

Hydroponics: What are the Benefits?

Many benefits can be derived from a Hydroponic Garden. Hydroponic vegetable gardens are more efficient than traditional methods and can solve many problems. This method of farming is likely to be the main source of future fruits or vegetables.

1.Maximizes Space

Hydroponics occupies less space than plants grown in soil. Hydroponics can be combined to other farming methods to take up 99 percent less space than traditional farming techniques.

Because the roots are not required to spread to obtain nutrients and water, hydroponic plants require a smaller area. The method used to deliver water and hyrdroponic nutrients to the roots will determine the type of hydroponic nutrients. This means that each plant’s root can take up less space which allows more plants to grow in a smaller space. Vertical stacking allows hydroponic gardens to be grown in smaller spaces than traditional ones.

2. Conserves water

Although it might seem counterintuitive, plants grown in water use less water than plants grown in soil. Hydroponic plants can grow with only 98 percent of traditional water requirements.

It is vital. According to a 2019 report, 71% of the world’s population lacks access to safe drinking water. Half of the world’s population will live in water-stressed areas by 2025. Water conservation will become more important as time goes by. This will make irrigation less profitable and more expensive for agriculture.

Only 0.1% of the water taken in by a root of a plant is actually used. The rest are released to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration. Hydroponics systems use recirculated waters to enable plants to absorb the nutrients that they need and then return any water to the system.

Global food production is growing year on year, and it is also consuming more water. Traditional methods can make a single cup of lettuce in 3 gallons. It takes approximately 11 gallons to produce a 2.7-ounce portion of broccoli. To grow tomatoes, you need 8 gallons water. 8 gallons of water are required to grow tomatoes. Hydroponics is an important part of conserving water.

3. Micro-climate

Hydroponic greenhouses can be easily used to house hydroponic plants. You can make your own microclimates and be protected from the same pests as traditional farmers. You don’t need to leave them out for pests. They can be treated with many insecticides. In temperature-controlled facilities, plants can be grown year-round, regardless of the climate or weather outside. Artificial grow lights allow plants to be grown in any amount of sunshine.

4. Higher Yields

The best conditions allow plants to get the correct amount of nutrients. These nutrients are directly absorbed by the roots. Microclimates allow for shorter crop cycles and year-round growing. All of this adds up to yields far higher than traditional farming methods. The yield of hydroponic greenhouses is nearly twice that of other farming methods.