Hydroponic Basics

For several years, people have been turning to indoor gardening as their favorite pastime

. There are a lot of reasons why people keep gardens indoors: business, pleasure, food and therapy. In recent years, however, hydroponic gardens have become a popular alternative to traditional soil gardens a new type of indoor gardening.

In essence, hydroponic gardening (growing plants without soil) isn't so new. Accounts of hydroponics date back to the days of ancient Egypt, and it is believed that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were hydroponic. Today, hydroponics has become more accessible and commonplace due to the recent technological advances. Governments now sponsor hydroponic growing on a large scale, and hobbyists now maintain hydroponic gardens in their houses.

Hydroponics is the act of growing plants without soil. The word "hydroponics" comes from the Greek language and simply means "working water". The nutrients are supplied to the plants in a water solution provided to the plant roots; the soil that usually anchors the roots is substituted by one of several available substances. Hydroponic indoor gardening can use natural light, certain forms of artificial lighting, or a combination of the two. The nutrient solution is manipulated and monitored along with the lighting to maximize the growth and yield of the plants.

There are numerous benefits of hydroponics. By erasing soil in the equation, plants can be grown in almost any controlled environment - in the dead of winter, in seasons of extended twilight and in places where soil is contaminated. Second, hydroponics recycles the water solution over and over as it washes the roots, so it actually reduces water usage by 70 to 90 percent as compared to conventional gardening. Thirdly, hydroponics allows for more direct control of the yield of a plant; by adjusting the nutrients and lighting, one can promote greater foliage, flowering, and fruit. Hydroponics can also be highly educational for young people and adults alike, as you get a firsthand look at how plants respond to water, nutrients and light.

The wonderful news is, hydroponics is not as expensive and as complex as originally thought of. There are several different ways to set up a hydroponic system, and some are relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. A handful of products are also available to help simplify the process. If you are willing to face a reasonable learning curve, with hydroponics you can learn a whole new method of indoor gardening, one that's both fun and satisfying.

by: Iris Caesar

POST COMMENT

Biodynamic Gardening Red Light Garden Tool Cart: Easy And Convenient Method Of Moving Your Tools As Your Work How To Dig Up Your Lawn And Replace It With Water Wise Plants Landscaping Doesn't Have To Suffer At The Hands Of The Arid Climate Uses Of A Sun Shade And Shade Structures Garden Design And Patios Decorative Concrete Design Raleigh Concrete Contractor Raleigh Concrete Develop Your Own Italian Herb Garden Biodynamic Farming In Maintaining Vegetable Gardens Having Healthy Results With The Use Of Organic Gardening Vegetable Supplies A Beneficial Choice: Green Gardening