Hydroponic garden: how it works, advantages and how to do it

Find out now what a hydroponic garden, see how it works, what its advantages are and how you can make one in your environment!

Did you know that it is possible to grow plants without using soil? And that this saves a lot of water?

THE hydroponic cultivation is gaining popularity. Many people are seeing the advantages of this technique sustainable agriculture.

This technique is very revolutionary in food production. It changes the way we produce food.

The global hydroponics market is estimated to grow significantly in 2023.

Until reaching 725 million dollars, with a growth of 18.1% per year.

This shows the importance of hydroponics to produce food at home and in large quantities.

THE hydroponics allows us to produce up to ten times more food than traditional agriculture.

And all this while using 20 times less water. This shows its efficiency and sustainability.

If you want to know how it works, its advantages and how to make your own hydroponic garden, read on. Let’s explore this innovative practice.

And find out why it is changing the way we produce food.

Read also: What are the best plants to start a vegetable garden in an apartment?

What is a hydroponic garden?

A hydroponic garden is a new way of growing plants.

They grow without soil, using nutrient water solution.

This idea began in 1940 with Dr. William Frederick Gericke of the University of California.

The plants are suspended in a watery medium full of nutrients. This eliminates the need for soil.

Hydroponic is used to grow fruits, cereals, flowers and tubers on a large scale.

To the vegetables Hydroponics grow in enclosed greenhouses. These greenhouses can be plastic tunnels or buildings with artificial light.

A big advantage of hydroponics is the water saving.

It uses up to 90% less water than growing in soil. This makes plants grow faster as they always have nutrients available.

Another positive point is the reduced need for pesticides. Hydroponic plants have fewer diseases and pests.

This makes them healthier and of better quality.

Finally, hydroponics is very flexible. It allows you to produce many types of vegetables, meeting various market demands.

Efficient in space, water and nutrients, hydroponics is a sustainable practice for the future of agriculture.

How hydroponics works

Hydroponics is an innovative soilless cultivation technique.

It delivers nutrients directly to the roots of plants. It was created by Dr. Gericke in the 1930s and quickly became popular.

Use substrates lightweight materials, such as perlite and rock wool, to support the plants.

The roots are exposed to a nutrient solution rich. The nutrient concentration is crucial to success.

In Brazil, NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) is widely used.

Plant roots are always in contact with the nutrient solution. This allows for rapid and efficient growth.

Hidrogood's HPM System improves water management nutrient solution. This can increase production by up to 20% in the same area.

Hydroponics is efficient in the use of water, reducing it to 10% of what is used in traditional crops.

It also shortens the vegetation and fruiting cycles.

However, it is essential to control the quality of the nutrient solution.

In short, hydroponics is a modern and efficient solution for agriculture. It combines high productivity with sustainable use of resources.

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Advantages of hydroponic gardening

The benefits of hydroponic gardening are many and change how we produce and consume food.

A big advantage is the higher yield. Compared to traditional cultivation, hydroponics can increase profits by up to 50% when selling vegetables.

This happens because the hydroponic system grows plants faster and allows you to harvest more often.

Another important point is the water saving. The hydroponic system uses between 50% to 70% less water.

This is much less than growing in soil, which is great in places with little water.

Using less water not only saves resources, but also ensures clean and healthy food full of nutrients.

Hydroponics is also very sustainable.

There is no need to change the soil to plant something else, which eliminates the need for cleaning and disinfection. In addition, using fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers reduces the negative impact on the environment.

As for quality, hydroponic vegetables have more nutrients, stronger flavor and fresher aroma.

This makes them superior in quality and nutrition compared to those grown in soil.

This advantage is very important, as it results in clean and healthy food superior in many aspects.

Finally, hydroponic gardening is very practical, especially for those who have little space or are new to horticulture.

It requires less space and labor, which is very helpful in small spaces and for those who want an easy alternative to traditional cultivation.

Advantages table:

Disadvantages of hydroponic gardening

Hydroponic gardening brings many benefits, but also challenges. One big problem is the high initial cost.

This is because creating a greenhouse and hydroponic system requires a large investment in special equipment.

Additionally, taking care of these systems may require a technical knowledge advanced, often requiring specialized professionals.

Another important point is the energy dependence. If there is a power outage and there is no backup generator, production can be lost completely.

This can be very detrimental to those who grow crops. Automating the system helps, but it also increases this dependency, creating a dilemma.

Additionally, controlling pests and diseases can be a major challenge. Because of the water circulating in closed systems, diseases and pests can spread more quickly.

This requires constant monitoring and rigorous management. Again, this requires a great deal of technical knowledge.

Therefore, before starting a hydroponic garden, it is essential to evaluate these points.

It is important to be prepared both financially and technically to face the challenges that may arise.

Materials needed for a hydroponic garden

To set up a hydroponic garden, you will need several materials.

Choose the hydroponic substrates The right ones are crucial. They support the plants and help with nutrient absorption. The most commonly used are coconut fiber, rock wool and expanded clay.

You control equipment are essential to maintain the ideal environment. pH meters are very important.

They ensure that the nutrient solution has the right pH.

Additionally, electrical conductivity meters check the amount of nutrients in the water.

For the hydroponic system, you will need specific containers.

They can be made of PVC, PET or sewage pipes. Choosing the right container is important for the water to circulate well and for irrigation to be efficient.

Here is a summary of the materials needed:

Keeping the hydroponic system up to date is very important.

It is essential to monitor the temperature, change the nutrient solution, control the pH and ensure oxygenation. These actions are fundamental to the success of your vegetable garden.

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Step by step guide to setting up a hydroponic garden at home

To start your hydroponic garden at home, you will need some materials.

It’s also important to follow a step-by-step guide based on hydroponics techniques. Here’s a guide to help you succeed.

Step by step

1. Choose a suitable location: The environment should be sunny or equipped with growth lamps.

2. Prepare the structure: Use PVC pipes with holes for the plants. Fix them to an iron structure with zip ties for support.

3. Set up the irrigation system: Install the aquarium pump in the water tank and connect the hose to allow the nutrient to circulate through the PVC pipes.

4. Mix the nutrient solution: Add the above mentioned chemical components in the indicated proportion in water to create the nutrient solution.

Fill the reservoir with this mixture.

5. Plant the seeds or seedlings: Insert the chosen plants into the holes in the PVC pipes.

The roots must come into contact with the nutrient solution to begin the germination process. hydroponic cultivation.

6. Monitor the system: Maintain the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution regularly to ensure a suitable growing environment.

Changing the solution every two weeks is crucial to avoid salt build-up and ensure fresh nutrients for the plants.

With patience, continuous monitoring and effective practices, your cultivation system homemade can flourish.

You will have fresh and healthy vegetables in your home. Good luck in your hydroponic garden assembly!

See also: What to plant in winter?

Tips for maintaining a hydroponic garden

Maintaining a healthy hydroponic garden requires ongoing care. It is essential to monitor the nutrient solution regularly.

The solution must have a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 so that the plants receive the necessary nutrients.

Root aeration is crucial. It is important to ensure adequate ventilation so that plants can absorb oxygen.

Direct sunlight is also essential for photosynthesis. Choosing a location with double-layer profiles can increase light for plants.

THE control of the growing environment is essential. The temperature of the solution must not exceed 30ºC.

This prevents nutritional deficiencies and oxygen loss. The conductivity of the solution must be constantly monitored to adjust the nutrient concentration.

Performing periodic cleaning of the system helps prevent diseases.

It is important to analyze the water used to avoid excess minerals. This ensures safe and efficient cultivation.

These precautions improve plant health and increase productivity.

They make cultivation more sustainable, taking advantage of all the resources of hydroponics.

Plants suitable for hydroponic cultivation

Hydroponics is a technique that grows many plants without soil.

The roots are kept in water, which brings all the nutrients. Lettuce, arugula and spinach are great for starting a hydroponic garden at home.

In addition to vegetables, vegetables as tomatoes and cucumbers grow well.

Aromatic plants such as basil, mint and rosemary are also ideal. They grow quickly and bring freshness to the kitchen.

Fruits like tomatoes and strawberries are also great for hydroponics.

They produce a rich and tasty harvest. Ornamental plants such as syngonium and snake plants can also be grown, bringing beauty into your home.

To take good care of plants, it is important to monitor water and light.

Changing the water regularly keeps everything clean.

This way, you will have fresh, healthy food without pesticides. Hydroponics at home saves water and space, being a sustainable solution.

Written by Andre Neri

I am a member of the AgropecNews team and I produce content about agriculture, livestock, agricultural technology, and the agricultural market. My goal is to share relevant and up-to-date information to help producers, professionals, and enthusiasts stay informed about the agricultural sector.

Updated on September 23, 2024