Hydroponics is for anyone who would like to eat healthier, save money, or even make money (i.e. Farmers Market, County Fair, etc.). So which group are you? I think of myself as part of all three. But they say it uses too much water, they say I’m feeding my plants with “chemicals”, they say I need to practically be a chemist, it’s expensive! No, no, NO…. let’s get the facts straight. In this day and age it is about time that people get a better understanding of Hydroponics, what it is, how it works, and the many ways that it can benefit them.

First, we are wiping the slate clean. Hydroponics saves water because you can use the same nutrient reservoir for a full week. Imagine how much money would be saved on your home water bill if your sprinklers re-used the same water for a whole week! You would be paying 85% less! Hydroponics is definitely water conserving. Simply take a look at projects like ‘Hydro For Hunger’ where they are using Simplified Hydroponics to help battle third world starvation http://www.hydroforhunger.org/articles_view.aspx?id=32. Also check out systems like aquaponics that combine fish culture and hydroponics. You NEVER have to replace your water with this system, you only have to top it off accordingly. Ok, you got it, water saved…not wasted. And water saved = money saved.

All too often, hydroponic fertilizers are referred to as “chemicals”. Maybe it’s because they come in a bottle in liquid form and not in a bag in poop form like manure, I don’t know. Either way, it’s wrong. There are essentially two types of fertilizers out there…. Organic based, and Mineral based. Organic being from decomposed, carbon-based, once living matter. Mineral based, or what is referred to as “Synthetic” or “Chemical”, is in fact mined mineral salts and that is all. Very similar to a one-a-day vitamin you would take. So no chemicals, only organics and minerals.

Now of course, you have a degree in botany/chemistry right? Well me neither, and I’ve been growing successfully for years. You know, my grandma and my 9 year old do very well in the garden too. Hydroponics is no more difficult than traditional gardening. The first response to that is usually “well, you have to check the pH and adjust it with chemicals, and I feel like a mad scientist”. Ok, let’s not over exaggerate. It’s no more difficult than a fish tank, a pool, or a Jacuzzi and how many of us have those?! Do you need to be a chemist? No, this is something that everyone can do, at any age.

“But it’s expensive”. In today’s economy I am not surprised to hear this and let’s face it, none of us can afford to waste money. Ok, think of your membership to your local “Bulk Buy Warehouse-Co”. First you pay for your membership, and then you can enjoy the savings. And everyone is happy in the end because their yearly savings amounts to much more than the cost of their yearly membership. The same with hydroponics, you invest up front to enjoy savings all year and the savings far outweighs the investment. Now you will be eating all natural and organic, or can even take it to your local Farmers Market for profit! Not to mention, hydroponics is extremely D-I-Y friendly and can be done with many items that can already be found around your house (i.e. plastic totes, Styrofoam, plastic cups, empty soda/juice bottles, etc.). So while there may be some upfront cost or investment, you will harvest savings and nutritious, pesticide free food all year round regardless of season.

So the next time you hear someone say, “Whoo-wee Vern, isn’t Hydroponics only for NASA to grow vegetables in space?”, you can school ‘em. Hydroponics has been deemed by many as farms of the future. We don’t use rotary phones, telegraphs, eight tracks, or floppy discs anymore….so in all the advancement, why do we continue to use outdated methods of gardening ? Hydro veggies for thought ……..