What Is the Definition of Hydroponics?

Plants have been grown hydroponically for thousands of years. As early as 600 B.C., gardens were grown in Babylon with only water used as a nutrient to grow plants. In 1850, a scientist, Jean Boussingault, did experiments growing plants with many kinds of mediums. This scientist found that water was one of the most important nutrients needed for any plant to grow, without the need for soil.

Hydroponics defined

Hydroponics is the growing of plants in nutrient-filled water in a container without soil. You can buy additives at most garden centers that will provide potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, the same nutrients your plants would get from soil. Simply follow the directions on the container that you purchase, adding only what is needed based on the amount of water you are using in your hydroponic container. If you like, you can add a medium such as gravel, coconut fiber or expanded clay pellets to your container, for decoration or if you think your plants need added support.

Efficency and effectiveness

Hydroponics allows gardeners to grow plants in a very efficient manner. There is no need for weeding, and more plants can be put into a smaller space, producing more fruits and vegetables than in a garden space. It also is very convenient for people who do not have enough space for a garden outside their home. Growing without soil also means not having to deal with many of the pesky garden bugs you normally would have to deal with. Once your hydroponic setup is in place, you can reuse it over and over by simply rinsing your containers and putting new plants in place of your older plants.

Starting out with pots and planters

All types of containers can be used, big and small, depending on how much space you have for your hydroponic garden. You can set up a hydroponic garden in your backyard and then move it into your home near a sunny window in the winter to continue to enjoy the fruits of your garden for months. Just about any type of plant can be grown hydroponically once they have been rooted. You might have to start your plants in growing mediums such as rockwool or coconut fiber until the roots start to grow to a few inches in length, and then place them in your container. You can grow everything from tomatoes and green peppers to cucumbers and cabbage.

The year-round garden

You can grow a hydroponic garden in your house or a greenhouse. This gives you a more temperate climate for your newly growing plants and more seasoned plants once they are grown. Year-round fruits and vegetables with the ease of houseplants is a huge plus.

The drawbacks of growing hydroponically

Growing hydroponically does have a few drawbacks. Large vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers need to be re-potted when they grow too big for a container. Plus, you might need to support these plants, because they often grow bigger than in a soil garden setting. Another possible drawback is the initial cost of getting started. If you start small, the cost is manageable. But if you want to go big--for instance, greenhouse size--then the cost may be fairly expensive. However, once your hydroponic garden is set up, it can last 5 to 20 years, depending on the type of material you use. Your best bet is to go to a garden supply center and ask lots of questions before making any purchases.