Aquaponics, Hydroponics Consulting, information, equipment, design, construction

What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics literally means “water working” but, in practical use, it means growing plants in a nutrient solution without soil. The science of hydroponics proves that soil isn’t required for plant growth but the elements, minerals and nutrients that soil contains are. Soil is simply the holder of the nutrients, a place where the plant roots traditionally live and a base of support for the plant structure. By eliminating the soil, you eliminate soil borne disease and weeds and gain precise control over the plant’s nutritional diet. In a hydroponic solution, you provide the exact nutrients your plants need in precisely the correct ratios so they can develop stress-free, mature faster and, at harvest, are the highest quality possible.

With hydroponic technology and a controlled environment greenhouse, you have the ability to grow premium quality produce using a minimum of space, water and fertilizer. Hydroponics is an intensive form of agriculture that can fulfill the consumers demand for premium produce and provide the grower with a profitable business.

Visit Hydroponics Overview and Hydroponics Methods for more information

Is hydroponics organic?
Hydroponics is a very pure form of agriculture which uses a fraction of the water and fertilizer that traditional, soil-based agriculture does. There is no need for herbicides in hydroponics because there are no weeds. Most hydroponic growers use integrated pest management or biological control to keep pest insects from causing damage.

Most hydroponic fertilizers are a premium grade of water soluble fertilizer. Most of these traditional hydroponic fertilizers (often called nutrients) are not on the list of approved fertilizers for the USDA organic certification. There are, however, some companies who have developed organic-hydroponic fertilizers that can be certified organic under the USDA rules.

What are the benefits of growing hydroponically?

no soil borne disease
hydroponics uses up to 1/10 of the water that is used to grow equivalent amounts of field produce
hydroponics uses less fertilizer than is often used to grow equivalent amounts of field produce
extended growing season
intensive production in a small space

What plants can I grow?
Any plant will grow hydroponically. Most hobby growers plant the vegetables that they like to eat or a typical garden mix such tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, beans and herbs. Commercially, a grower considers which crops there is a market for and which crops will be the most profitable. Hydroponic tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and herbs are all popular commercial hydroponic crops.

Can I make money doing this?
Maybe. Hydroponics, like any business, takes an adequate investment in equipment, proper design and excellent management and marketing skills. Plus, you need to be a skilled plant grower and understand the way plants grow, utilize fertilizers and are effected by their environment. With those qualifications, a hydroponic farm can be quite profitable.

Commercially, hydroponics can be a rewarding and exciting business. It is ideal for a family farm growing for local markets.

The productivity of commercial systems has risen dramatically in the past few years. Commercial tomato growers who once hoped to annually pick 20 pounds of tomatoes per plant are now picking as much as 35-40 pounds annually. In a 12,000 square foot greenhouse, a tomato grower can grow 4,0000—5,000 pounds of tomatoes every week. Lettuce growers are picking mature heads of lettuce in under 4 weeks and, with 20,000 square feet of growing space, can produce nearly 3,000 heads per week. The cost of establishing a commercial hydroponic greenhouse operation is quite reasonable when considering the potential profit and the intensive volume of high-quality produce that can be grown on a small lot.

Visit Hydroponics: Commercial Systems for more information.

Do I need a greenhouse?
A greenhouse provides protection from enviromental factors such as heat, cold, wind, rain and insect intrusion. In most climates a greenhouse is required. A greenhouse can even be beneficial in the tropics to protect the crops from rain, wind and insects. The type of greenhouse and the enviromental control equipment varies widely depending on climate. There are hydroponic growers, however, that have hobby systems indoors, in a basement or garage. When indoors, they have to add artificial lighting for the plants.

Can I do this as a hobby or school project?
On a hobby scale, hydroponics is very popular due to the ease of growing, the cleanliness and the quality of the crops grown. A home hydroponic garden can be used to grow herbs, vegetables or flowers. A hobby system can serve as a beautiful show piece or a food production system, depending on the size. Many backyard gardeners are setting up systems to and all the fresh vegetables a family needs.

In educational applications, hydroponics is an excellent model of natures biological cycles. For educators, we have a comprehensive Hydroponics Curriculum Package, complete with an Educator's Guide, Student Manual, Transparencies, a CD-Rom and a video.

Visit:
Hydroponics: School Systems
Hydroponics Home Food Production
Hydroponics: Indoor Hobby Systems
for more information

Where do I get the fertilizer and other supplies?
Many companies sell hydroponics kits, fertilizers and supplies. Most towns throughout the US have at least one hydroponic garden shop and there are also many companies that sell online. If you do search for hydroponic equipment, you'll see lots of options.

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