The Benefits of Using Hydroponics to Grow Plants at Home

September 1st 2022 · 796 words, 4 minute read

Ever since human beings have been living in settlements, we have been cultivating plants for consumption but also for their medicinal and aesthetic benefits. These days, the edible plants we see in supermarkets are very different from the ones our ancestors would have been familiar with. For one, the ancient varieties of edible plants were much smaller than what we’re used to, and were also more fibrous with a higher number of seeds and smaller amounts of edible flesh. 

Over time, we have selectively bred plants to produce more of what we need in terms of edible flesh, and many species are now seedless or close to seedless. They are also less fibrous and nowhere near as tough. Modern plants are also much easier to grow, and many are resistant to certain stressors such as drought, cold and pests. These developments in agriculture do come with some downsides. Firstly, we have less choice than we used to, but more importantly, plants are becoming less nutritious per gram over time. 

How does hydroponics counter reduced nutrient values?

As food crops become less nutrient rich, the freshness of the crop, how it is stored and how it is produced becomes more important. You may not know this, but as soon as a crop is picked, it starts to lose its goodness. The longer plant matter is stored, the less powerful it is, and the less nutrients it will contain, and how it is processed can also reduce its potency. Essentially, the fresher the plant matter is, the more goodness it will retain, and when it is processed properly the essential compounds will be protected. 

Growing your own plants is a popular option for many people because it gives you access to the freshest, most nutritious and powerful plants without compromise. Traditional growing methods that involve growing plants in soil are popular because they are well known and are generally perceived as being a simple way to grow your own produce, but there is a rapidly expanding community of people that are taking advantage of all that alternative methods such as hydroponics and aeroponics have to offer. 

These methods are great for preserving more of the goodness in plants because they allow the grower to make use of the plants as soon as they are at their best. Furthermore, because the growing conditions are fully optimised throughout the plants’ entire growth cycle, the plants are able to become as nutrient dense, strong and healthy as possible. Growers using these methods will be able to produce more usable crops per square foot than those using traditional methods.

What exactly is hydroponics?

Unlike traditional methods, hydroponics does not require soil. Instead, an inert growing medium is used, and the plants are either continually suspended with their roots in nutrient solution, ir have nutrient rich water drip fed, or alternatively misted over the roots as in aeroponic systems. This creates a convenient, hygienic growing system that can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to grow their own plants, even when they don’t have access to an outdoor space.

Ultimate control over growing conditions

An indoor hydroponics system requires careful control by the grower, but they are still low maintenance and do not require anywhere near as much monitoring and labour as traditional methods. As the plants are grown indoors and without the use of soil you will need to provide them with all their needs in order to recreate their natural growing environment. Much of this can be done automatically by using timers and other automated systems. You can expect to spend a lot less time tending to your plants when you use these methods.

Grow a greater range of plants

If you are growing plants outdoors in the UK, the biggest limiting factor is the climate. We simply don’t have the right weather and climate conditions for many species, especially those that like hot, arid climates, or hot and humid climates such as jungle plants. By bypassing the climate outside, you will be able to grow a much wider range of plants, and if you are able to have more than one self-contained grow space in your home, you could be growing desert plants such as cacti in the same room as your jungle epiphytes that need high temperatures and humidity.

Resources: