Growing in the Right Direction

Author: Bethania Rocha, Hydroponics Group

​Hydroponics involves growing plants without having to use soil. Soil’s function while growing plants is to hold water and food for the plants to uptake; hydroponics creates an easier and more efficient way for plants to get everything they need. Hydroponic mediums hold the water and nutrients for plants. Some examples of good hydroponic mediums are: clay pebbles, oasis cubes, coconut fiber, sand and peat moss. Most hydroponic mediums are either biodegradable, compostable or can be reused.

Growing hydroponically is a step in the right direction for sustainable agriculture. Hydroponics uses less water than traditional farming. This is because most hydroponic systems recycle and reuse water while other just don’t need as much. Hydroponics uses less space to grow and produces yield per growing space. Growing without soil decreases the need for pesticides and herbicides.​

Hydroponics is great method of growing for urban areas. It can be done in greenhouses, homes, schools, extra spaces in buildings, warehouses, on rooftops and even in shipping containers. This reduces a reliance on importing produce which lessens food miles. Crops grown indoors can be grown year round with temperature control. We are working on introducing hydroponics to Springstone Farm to grow produce year round. Below are examples of hydroponic systems.

Image from: nosoilsolutions.com