| From the Latin, the word hydroponics means "water" | | | | - Baskets |
| and "labor" or, literally, "water working." Hydroponics is | | | | - CO2 Injectors |
| the practice of growing plants (including flowers and | | | | - Cycle Timers |
| herbs) in either a large, medium, or small bath of | | | | - Drips |
| water and nutrients. It can also refer to plants grown | | | | - Filters |
| in a flow of highly oxygenated and nutrient-rich | | | | - Fittings |
| water, such as filtered ponds and fountains. | | | | - Growing modules |
| Discovered by researchers in the 19th century, it was | | | | - Growing mediums |
| found that plants can absorb mineral nutrients in | | | | - Lighting |
| water and that soil was not an essential, rather the | | | | - Nutrients |
| nutrients are what is vital. Along with nutrient-rich | | | | - Reservoirs |
| water and plants, hydroponic gardening supplies are | | | | - Sprays |
| available to help you get the most out of your | | | | - Supplements |
| hydroponic gardening system. | | | | - System Plans |
| In soils, biological decomposition begins to break | | | | - Tubing |
| down organic matter slowly. This helps create the | | | | - Water meters |
| basic nutrient salts of which plants feed on. Water | | | | There are several advantages to hydroponic |
| can dissolve these salts, which allows plant roots to | | | | gardening over soil gardening, which include faster |
| take the nutrients in and absorb them. A | | | | growing plants. A hydro plant is more likely to grow |
| well-balanced diet for a plant requires all soil | | | | faster (as much as 50% faster). Additionally, the yield |
| components to be in perfect balance. Finding an ideal | | | | of plant is always greater. The hydro plants are |
| condition in soil alone can be hard because of the lack | | | | stimulated more by oxygen, which help it grow and |
| of organic matter in water and because of the | | | | grow healthy. There are fewer problems with fungus |
| contamination as well as because of biological | | | | in this technology. In fact, these plants have fewer |
| imbalances. | | | | infestations and diseases as well. Finally, nutrients are |
| This water technology of gardening enables water to | | | | sent directly to the root system; there is no need |
| be enriched with nutrient salts and creates a | | | | for the plant to sort nutrients from the soil. Instead, |
| perfectly balanced nutrient solution. The system does | | | | the nutrients are always readily available. |
| not harm the environment because it is kept | | | | The benefits to the environment from this kind of |
| contained and does not use fertilized soil. Less water | | | | gardening are also great. Less energy is spent on |
| than watering plants in soil is used as well. | | | | hydrating soil and maintaining a perfect solution |
| To support these systems, specialized gardening | | | | balance in the soil. Less water is used as well because |
| supplies are needed. Look for items such as fiber, | | | | nutrients can remain constant longer in water. Hydro |
| sand, and stone. These are inert soil-free mediums | | | | crops also require fewer pesticides, which help both |
| which anchor the root. They are also designed to | | | | the environment and the people around the plants. |
| retain air and water when necessary. | | | | We also aren't using any topsoil so top soil erosion |
| Additional supplies include: | | | | isn't a problem with this kind of gardening. |
| - Air & Water Pumps | | | | |