Organic gardeners spend a great deal of time thinking about the soil. We turn it, tend it, amend it, admire it, and curse it. Rich, black, loamy soil is at the heart of everything we grow, and if we had 10 dollars to spend on gardening, most of us would spend nine dollars on the hole and one dollar on the plant.
Therefore, few gardeners consider hydroponics gardening as a serious alternative to conventional gardens that grow in soil. Hydroponics systems are something one ponders at a science exhibition; curiosities that consist of a maze of tubing with unknown chemicals piped throughout.
In fact, hydroponics gardening systems have some advantages over conventional soil culture. They save space, and allow you to avoid soil-dwelling pests. Furthermore, you can maintain soil-free gardens with organic hydroponic nutrients, similar to those that you would use to enrich your soil.
Hydroponic Systems
If you’re new to hydroponic gardening, you may consider a complete hydroponic system as an introduction to soil-free plant culture. A hydroponic system is a self-contained growing unit that may consist of some growing containers, a water reservoir, growing media, and a pump that circulates the water. Some hydroponic kits also include a grow light for indoor gardening. You must add hydroponic nutrients and plants.
Hydroponic kits vary widely in size and price, but most systems accommodate a static number of growing pots. This means if you purchased a kit that only features 12 growing stations, you can only grow 12 plants at a time. Unless you have severe space restrictions, buy a hydroponic system that grows at least 24 plants or more so your hobby doesn’t outgrow the system too quickly.
Hydroponic Nutrients
Unlike the complicated chemical soups hydroponic gardening suppliers offered in the past, most companies now recognize the value of growing plants using naturally derived nutrients. Hydroponic fertilizers may come in a liquid or powder form that you dilute and add to your growing system. Ingredients are similar to what we use in the soil, including earthworm castings, blood meal, fish meal, kelp, or guano.
In addition to fertilizer, hydroponic growers must add the trace elements normally found in healthy soils. Look specifically for products that advertise trace mineral content on the label. If you’re growing plants that have a fussy pH range, you can also alter this with a sulfuric acid preparation or dolomite lime.
Hydroponic Growing Medium
Even though the focus in hydroponic gardening is on water, plants still require a growing medium to anchor their roots. Some of the growing mediums are the same materials organic gardeners normally use to amend their soil, while others are used specifically for hydroponic applications. You can use perlite, organic coconut fiber or rock wool. Whatever you choose, you will enjoy one of the advantages of hydroponic gardening, which is dodging soil-borne diseases.
Source:
Roberto, K. (2003). How-To Hydroponics. The Futuregarden Press: Farmingdale, NY.
Jamie McIntosh - Jamie has written hundreds of garden articles for the web, and is your guide to Flowers on About.com.
