Many gardeners are switching to hydroponics gardening for a variety of different reasons. Hydroponics gardens are small, can easily be grown indoors and are a perfect gardening solution for most vegetables. Also, the equipment required for hydroponics gardening is inexpensive and fairly easy to use.
Basically, hydroponics gardening is the growing of plants, fruit and vegetables without the use of soil. There are many methods of hydroponics gardening, most of which work better than regular gardening. Using this method it is far easier to give the plant exactly what it needs, and when it needs it.
Plants will only receive what you give them, therefore you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water and light which the plant receives. This makes it vitally important that you research the kind of plants you will be growing, so that you know what they will need to survive.
Hydroponics gardening can be over-complicated if computers with sensors are used to control water cycles, nutrients and light for the plants. It can also be as simple as a single plant and a bucket of water.
The normal home hydroponics system is usually made up of a few basic things, such as a growing tray, light (natural or artificial), a reservoir, a pump for watering (or some type of watering equipment), and an air pump to provide oxygen to the nutrients. You can get instructions from a gardening store, online or even buying separate parts to build your own. Kits are also available in gardening supply stores.
The growing medium used in hydroponics gardening can be any number of things, such as Rockwool, coconut fiber, gravel, sand or even air.
There are certain micro-nutrients that are necessary for healthy plant growth. These include magnesium, sulfur, calcium, cobalt, iron, copper and zinc. These nutrients are absolutely essential to plants, and if missing could cause health problems for anyone who eats it. It is also vitally important that you use a quality fertilizer.
Another important aspect of hydroponics gardening that must be closely regulated is the pH balance. When the pH balance varies, the plants will lose the ability to absorb the nutrients that they need. The ease with which the pH in hydroponics gardening is tested and controlled give it a huge advantage over regular gardening.
Even though there are hundreds of different variations, Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip and Aeroponic are the five most basic types of hydroponics gardening systems. Hydroponics gardening is easy, affordable, and can provide you with fresh produce, flowers, herbs and spices all year round.