Hydro = "Water" and Ponics = "Labor"
Hydroponics, or soilless gardening, can provide the same fresh vegetables, herbs, or flowers as regular gardening, but it can be placed indoors during anytime of the year, or outdoors during the summer time.
Some immediate benefits of soilless gardening are the elimination or at least reduction of soil-borne pests and diseases, weeding is almost completely eliminated, labor is reduced, weather conditions are non-existent, and year-around production if standard if desired.
In addition, more crops can be grown in a limited amount of space. Plants grow more rapidly and produce greater yields. The root systems do not develop as extensively as they do in soil since in Hydroponics the nutrients are provided to the roots, rather than the roots having to search for existing nutrients. Hydroponics allow the tailoring of water and fertilizer to the plants being grown for optimum results. Therefore, the amount of water and fertilizer required is reduced since these ingredients are constantly recycled until used up. The tailored nutrients can be used to produce superior results. Conversely, standard nutrients can be used if less strict recordkeeping and effort is desired.
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Hydroponic equipment can vary from simple, homebuilt equipment utilizing PVC pipe, fittings, and 2-liter soda bottles to sophisticated commercial plug-in and plant units.
This 11-plant garden is made of PVC pipe and fittings, cut-off soda bottles, pump, timer, tank, nutrient solution, pH test equipment, pH Up and Down solution, grow rocks and 16 ounce Solo Cups. Be sure that all of the fittings are glued properly to prevent leaking of the nutrient solution.
This homebuilt unit utilizes 16 ounce cups to grow tomatoes. Because the nutrients are pumped to the roots instead of the roots having to spread out to search for nutrients as they do in soil, the roots remain smaller and can be planted closer together. Hydroponics units can be placed outdoors in the summer sun as shown here, but can also be placed indoors under lights for similar results year around.
This hydroponic equipment enables a gardener of almost any age to enjoy fresh vegetables in an almost effortless manner. This self-contained single chamber unit provides almost effortless indoor soilless gardening without regard to weather, stooping, sunburn, or weeds. It comes complete with all fittings and nutrient solution. You just need to plug-it in, add seeds, add water to the nutrient solution and monitor it occasionally for great results.