Growing plants in a greenhouse with the use of water and without using the soil is termed as greenhouse hydroponic gardening. In this system the roots are usually supported by gravel or some other material during the growing process. The plants need to be fed with nutrient rich water solution, since the plants don’t receive nutrients from the soil as in the case of traditional gardening.
How hydroponic gardening is done?
· This is usually done in a greenhouse as it allows the person to maintain an ideal climate and favourable conditions for plants to grow in. It is not necessary to have a large greenhouse like the ones used for any kind of commercial usage, instead it can be a smaller one for the home gardeners who wish to try this gardening system. You can also build your own customized greenhouse as per your requirement bearing in mind that is necessary to maintain an environment with ideal humidity and temperature for whatever plants you wish to grow.
· Inserting the plants in to a container will allow you to choose your own growing medium. Generally the growing medium is gravel, this uses stones as well as pebbles for supporting roots and stalks of the plants. The nutrient solution is then given to the plants for their proper growth. Nutrients used in hydroponic gardening are quite different than regular fertilizers that are available in the soil, as it is a water solution that is meant to provide all the nutrients the plant needs to thrive.
· A special nutrient solution is pumped up through some way into the medium and then plants directly absorb the nutrients through the roots. More often, the systems that deliver the nutrient solutions are automated. Sensors installed within the medium activate automated pumps when plants needs more solution.
Advantages of Hydroponic Gardening:
· Uses controlled environment:
As no soil is needed, while gardening in a hydroponic way, the gardeners can control the growing environment completely. Gardeners have full control over which nutrient solutions to be used as well as how much light and water should be used to yield the healthiest plant along with its highest yield. This control lessens the frustration for fighting pests and diseases in the soil which can occur with usual outdoor garden systems.
· Good for the environment:
This type of gardening is environment friendly as you can recycle the used water and reuse it. The method of vegetable gardening with this system produces abundant crops and a much lower amount of the space is required than outdoor gardening. Most of the plants are grown vertically rather than horizontally and thus it uses less space.
· Can be done all year round:
This is one of the best benefits of greenhouse hydroponic indoor gardening. As the method is not dependent on natural factors or elements such as sun, temperature, rain as well as that of soil nutrients, this type of indoor gardening can be done anywhere and at any time without bothering about climatic conditions. If you decide to choose this method you will benefit by being given the opportunity to become an all year round gardener.
Author Bio:
Christine Stewart, a famous author and practitioner, is especially interested in writing about various gardening techniques. She conducts regular research on hydroponic gardeningand shares her thoughts through her write ups.