The History of Hydroponic Gardening
Hydroponic gardening---or hydroponics---refers to a method of growing plants with water but without soil. Indeed, the word "hydroponics" is derived from the Greek words "hydro" (water) and "ponos" (labor). Does this Spark an idea?
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Early Times
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Certain ancient civilizations practiced hydroponics. An example their efforts is the hanging gardens in the Babylon city-state of ancient Mesopotamia. Other ancient places that practiced hydroponic gardening include China and the Aztec Empire.
Modern Times
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It was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that scientists and horticulturalists began to conduct significant research regarding hydroponics. A paramount reason for such curiosity was to grow fresh produce in non-arable places. Professor William Frederic Gericke of the University of California, Berkeley---who promoted the use of a solution culture for farming---is often credited with coining the term "hydroponics" in 1937.
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Significance
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Since the mid-20th century, hydroponic growing has extended beyond scientific research. Several professionals---from farmers to lobbyists---are attracted to hydroponics primarily due to the professed higher yields than traditional soil-based agriculture and the ability to produce crops in places otherwise unfit for farming.
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- Photo Credit plants image by Lin from Fotolia.com
