In the hydroponic cultivation of vegetables, the plant’s roots are suspended in water. No need to use soil. It is the water that provides plants with the necessary nutrients for growth. Since this form makes it easier for vegetables to take up nutrients, despite the smaller amount of fertilizers used, they grow faster and give higher yields. Is hydroponic growing of vegetables the future?
Modern agriculture, with its water consumption, abundant use of chemical plant protection products, and groundwater contaminating fertilizers, is considered to be one of the main factors of environmental degradation. And as a result of this whole growing process, we get vegetables with dubious qualities, not only in terms of taste but also health. Hydroponic cultivation is considered to be more environmentally friendly.
Table of Contents
Why is hydroponic farming more eco?
In hydroponic farming, water consumption is kept to a minimum. This is because the dosage is calculated to the milliliter. Plants are provided with the perfect amount of water and nutrients. The plants are grown indoors, and used fertilizers and other substances do not get into the outside environment. In the case of home hydroponics, you can completely avoid the use of artificial fertilizers.
Why is it worth growing crops on hydroponic farms?
The main advantage is that plants are grown in hydroponics grow and mature much faster than plants grown in soil because the water solution is delivered directly to the root environment. Intensive growth is due to the fact that the development of the root system is much faster than in traditional cultivation.
Plants grow fast, are healthy, strong, and more resistant to pests and diseases. With the elimination of traditional soil, we avoid the possibility of spreading plant pests and diseases with the soil. Plants are free from pests and soil diseases. Thanks to the sterility of the substrate, we also avoid the development of fungi and harmful bacteria.
A very convenient thing is the automatic irrigation system that we can program according to our needs. Irrigation takes place cyclically, we can adjust the time intervals and how long the watering should last. A very useful device will help us in this – a timer switch.
Domestic hydroponic farm
Home hydroponic farms are becoming more and more popular around the world. They allow the cultivation of plants all year round. The use of LED lighting and the minimum amount of water makes it an extremely environmentally friendly solution. Home hydroponics is especially recommended for growing various types of herbs. Plants from hydroponic farms are free from heavy metals, which can be found in traditional soil cultivation. Indoor plants are not threatened by pests or any diseases.
Which plants are recommended to be grown in home hydroponic farms?
Among the plants recommended for growing in home hydroponics farms are many popular herbs and vegetables. One of the most popular plants is mint. Basil is also very popular. Various types of lettuce are also often grown. Among the vegetables grown at home, you can find, among others sorrel, leaf lettuce, cabbage and cress. There are ready-made hydropin farms available on the market, which can be programmed in a way that is optimal for given plant species.
Growing plants in warehouses on a large scale
It is believed that hydroponic farming can replace traditional farming over time. All you need is a warehouse of the right size. Then, equipping with LED lighting allows you to create a closed ecosystem. The water supplied to the plants is strictly filtered to keep it free of all kinds of disease-transmitting microorganisms. This allows you to resign from the use of various types of artificial fertilizers. In turn, eliminating the need to supply artificial fertilizers is possible thanks to the appropriate selection of nutrients required by a given plant species.
Hydroponic farms will help fight hunger?
Modern hydroponic farms can help to eradicate world hunger. LED farms can be built in almost every corner of the world. What’s more – such solutions have been used for years in space technology. And one more, the most important thing – hydroponic farms can be powered by solar energy and photovoltaic panels. It may make it very cheap technology of agriculture in near future.
Our contributing author is a passionate advocate for eco-friendly living and sustainability. With a background in eco-life, they are dedicated to inspiring and empowering individuals to adopt environmentally conscious lifestyles. Through insightful articles, they share practical tips, innovative solutions, and thought-provoking perspectives to promote a greener, more sustainable world. Join them on the journey towards eco-smart living and discover how small choices can make a big impact. 🌱