Hydroponics: Is it right for you?
We’ve talked a great deal about all things gardening, but today, I want to talk about something that feels hard and complex but is truly easy. It’s just the mystery of it that makes people feel daunted by this particular way of growing. Once I started learning, I realized that things in my garden would never be the same. So, all of you who have a limited space or just want to make the most out of your garden, listen up! I am sharing a different gardening method with you today, one that will surely shake things up in your favorite place! Yes, I am talking about hydroponics!
This blog might get a bit wet as we are deep-diving into the world of hydroponics. You will learn all there is to know about it, including its benefits, such as year-round yield and rapid growth. By the time I am done, you will realize that hydroponics just might be the gardening game-changer you were looking for!
Covering The Basics: What is Hydroponics?
A hydroponic garden includes growing plants that are placed in a container – not one filled with soil, but water and nutrients instead.
That’s actually what the word means. Hydro is a Greek word for water, and ponos is the word for work! You guessed it already – the water is doing all the work!
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, relying instead on a nutrient-rich water solution to deliver everything plants need to thrive. This soil-free approach isn’t just a modern trend—it’s a scientifically proven technique that has been around for centuries. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the floating gardens of the Aztecs are early examples of hydroponic systems, though today’s technology takes this ancient concept to a new level.
You guys know I’m all about the soil. I mean, goodness my last blog was about amending correctly and building up your soil. But there is something to this method that is very interesting and effective. You cultivate the plants you want without ever having to put them in soil! However, you can still use another material to assist the growth. As a concept, hydroponics is an excellent choice because it is perfect for use indoors. Simply put, it gives you a lot more control over the growing situation. And the best part is that anyone can do it, no matter if you are a small gardener or someone who is well into large, established commercial farms!
I already mentioned that hydroponics means giving the plants what they need to grow through water and, sometimes, another growing material. Anything goes but soil. Hydroponic systems replace soil with an inert growing medium, such as perlite, clay pebbles, or coco coir, which provides structural support for the plants. The roots either sit directly in the water or are exposed to a fine mist of nutrient-rich solution, allowing plants to absorb water and essential minerals without the interference of soil.
The basic science behind hydroponics is all about controlling three key factors:
Nutrients: Plants absorb nutrients dissolved in water directly through their roots. The water is enriched with a balanced mix of macronutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Each of these plays a critical role:
Nitrogen: Promotes leafy growth and lush greenery.
Phosphorus: Essential for strong roots and flowering.
Potassium: Aids in photosynthesis, water regulation, and disease resistance.
Water and Oxygen: In soil, roots find oxygen naturally in air pockets. Hydroponic systems solve this by aerating the water with air pumps or ensuring constant movement (as in nutrient film techniques), so roots have access to oxygen while submerged.
Light: Without access to the sun, hydroponics depends on grow lights that mimic the full spectrum of natural sunlight. These lights ensure plants can photosynthesize efficiently, powering their growth from seedling to harvest.
Hydroponics or traditional growing?
Growing indoors requires effort, meaning taking care of the plants, water, humidity in your home; Hydroponics and traditional gardening each have their strengths, but they cater to different needs and goals. To understand why both methods hold value, let’s explore the scientific and practical differences between the two approaches.
Advantages of Hydroponic Growing
Faster Growth Rates: Plants in hydroponic systems often grow 30–50% faster than those in soil. Why? Because the nutrients in the water are immediately available to the roots, reducing the time and energy plants would otherwise spend extracting nutrients from the soil.
Efficient Use of Resources:
Water Use: Hydroponics uses up to 90% less water than traditional gardening because water circulates within a closed system, reducing waste.
Space Efficiency: With vertical systems and compact designs, hydroponics is ideal for urban gardeners or those with limited outdoor space.
Fewer Soil-Related Issues:
No weeds, soil-borne pests, or diseases.
No need to amend soil or test for imbalances in pH or nutrient content.
Year-Round Growing: Since hydroponics is typically done indoors or in greenhouses, gardeners can grow fresh produce regardless of the season.
Why Traditional Gardening Will Always Have a Place:
Despite the high-tech appeal of hydroponics, traditional gardening offers unique advantages that no system can replicate:
Ecological Benefits: Soil is a living ecosystem teeming with beneficial microorganisms, fungi, and insects that work together to support plant growth. These organisms break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and create a balanced environment for plants to thrive. Hydroponics, while efficient, lacks this complex and dynamic network.
Sunlight as the Perfect Light Source: While grow lights mimic sunlight, they can’t match its intensity, energy efficiency, and natural variation. The sun provides the ideal spectrum of light for photosynthesis without the energy cost associated with artificial lighting.
Sustainability: Traditional gardening can be less resource-intensive over the long term. By using compost, cover crops, and organic methods, gardeners create a self-sustaining cycle of nutrients that reduces the need for external inputs.
Connection to Nature: Let’s face it—nothing beats the feeling of your hands in the soil and the sight of plants thriving under a wide-open sky. Traditional gardening offers a sensory experience and a connection to the natural world that hydroponics can’t replace.
Hydroponics and traditional gardening aren’t competitors—they’re complementary methods that can work together to meet different needs.
Here’s how to use both effectively:
Hydroponics for Convenience: Grow fresh lettuce, herbs, and greens year-round in a small indoor system, giving you easy access to healthy, homegrown food without waiting for the outdoor growing season.
Traditional Gardening for Ecosystem Health:
Focus on growing crops that thrive outdoors in raised beds, using sustainable practices like crop rotation, companion planting, and organic amendments to build a thriving ecosystem.
Which Plants to Choose For a Hydroponic Garden?
You start every garden with the idea that you’re going to plant something incredible. This should not be an exception for the hydroponic garden. However, some plants will thrive better in these conditions than others. From my experience, the plants that thrive the most in these conditions include the greens – spinach, kale, lettuce, and Swiss chard. You can grow them all year round. If you are a fan of herbs, oregano, mint, cilantro, parsley, and basil are suitable for growing hydroponically. This way, each time you step into the hydroponic area, you will feel that incredible scent of the herbs you’ve added. Some of the other plants you can add to your indoor garden include strawberries, tomatoes, and hot peppers. Sounds like a solid starting point, doesn’t it?
As I mentioned, certain plants are especially well-suited for hydroponic systems because they thrive in controlled environments with consistent nutrient delivery.
Here’s a closer look at why they grow so well and what they require:
Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Kale)
Why They Thrive: Leafy greens have shallow root systems, making them ideal for hydroponics. They grow quickly, often maturing in 30–45 days, and require fewer nutrients than fruiting plants.
Nutrient Needs: Moderate levels of nitrogen are key to promoting leafy growth, while a balanced mix of phosphorus and potassium supports overall plant health.
Herbs (Basil, Mint, Cilantro)
Why They Thrive: Herbs are lightweight feeders, meaning they don’t require heavy nutrient loads to thrive. They grow well in small spaces and don’t need high-intensity light, making them ideal for indoor hydroponic systems.
Nutrient Needs: Consistent but low levels of nitrogen and potassium to encourage steady growth and flavorful leaves.
Fruiting Plants (Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries)
Why They Thrive: Hydroponic systems provide the consistent water and nutrient supply that fruiting plants demand during flowering and fruit development. However, they require more careful monitoring of nutrients and pH.
Nutrient Needs:
High Nitrogen: During vegetative growth to encourage leaf and stem development.
High Phosphorus and Potassium: During flowering and fruiting for strong blooms and high yields.
Calcium and Magnesium: To prevent disorders like blossom-end rot in tomatoes.
Popular Hydroponic Gardening Setups
Last but not least, let’s talk about the popular indoor growing systems you can set up for your hydroponic garden. I don’t have either of these for sake of transparency as well as fairness. These two popular systems are quite different, but both are equally effective. Here they are:
The Lettuce Grow Farmstand
Instead of wandering around, looking for the perfect outdoor or indoor farmstand, seek no more! You need to take a look at the Lettuce Grow Farmstand. You don’t have to worry about pesticide-filled or nutrient-depleted veggies. This one is the perfect hydroponic system that will give your plants everything they need. No need to be an expert to start using it – all you need to do is be interested in growing the perfect fresh produce.
The Gardyn Kit
For those of you who are keen on vertical gardens, this is the second popular setup I would love to share with you. The Gardyn Kit is an amazing option for all those who want to make the most out of their space and enjoy their gardening at home. Growing indoors will not feel like a challenge anymore. This is an incredible system that will give you all you need to lay the groundwork for your hydroponic garden.
So this is it – the basics of a hydroponic garden are here for you! It is time to live, learn, and give it all to create some wonderful fresh produce. Growing inside can often seem like an uphill battle for many of my clients. Even seed starting feels like too much. If that’s the case, hydroponics may not be for you. But if you don’t feel like bringing plants inside is too much, then I really suggest looking into a simple set up. Not necessarily making your own from PVC pipes, but just purchasing a pre constructed kit. It makes for easy starting. From there if you get the growing bug and want to keep it all indoors, then by all means break out the buckets! Get started on this project today and give yourself the fresh produce you want from scratch!
To get more info about all things gardening, keep on reading – I have a lot of interesting information waiting just for you! To get all of it, join my newsletter!
