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