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Higher Yields Through Hydroponics

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Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. It has become a useful tool in commercial food production because of higher yields produced by vegetables that are grown hydroponically.  It is also a useful technique for the home gardener who has little space for gardening, or for those who wish to have fresh home grown produce all year long.

In this lens I hope to convince you that even if you have no room to garden outdoors that you can still enjoy fresh organic home grown produce and beautiful flowers in the smallest of spaces.

Some Hydroponic History 

Hydroponics comes from the greek term meaning "water working".

In the 1930's scientists working with plants discovered that soil was unneccesary for growing plants, it was only needed to support the plants roots. Since water and nutrients can be more easily controlled in a hydroponic system, producing higher plant yields, this development led to the popularization of Hydroponics in commercial food production, especially in European countries. Today Canada is second only to Holland in food produced by commercial hydroponics.

However, the techniques of hydroponic gardening are far from new. Evidence has shown that the Eygptians used a hydroponic method hundreds of years before Christ as well as the Chinese. The Aztec's floating gardens in Mexico and the hanging garden of babylon are two other historical examples.

Hydroponic Literature 

Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook of Soilless Food-Growing Methods

Amazon Price: (as of 09/06/2008)

Building your own hydroponic garden 

Building a Small Hydroponic system.
This article from the Diy Network gives a basic introduction to hydroponic gardening. The second half of the article, entitled "The Science Fair Project" gives instructions on how to build a small hydroponic garden out of materials found at your local hardware or home improvement store.

Hydroponic/Aeroponic 

What's the difference?

Hydroponic and Aeroponic systems are often grouped together under hydroponic systems. They are similar in many ways. However, where hydroponic systems have plant roots sitting in water, which is oxygenated using an airstone, Aeroponic systems have the plants roots suspended in the air. Aeroponic systems use a series of tiny sprayers, which continualy mist the roots with a nutrient spray. This system provides the plant roots with maximum oxygen and reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation to a negligable amount. However Aeroponic systems tend to be more expensive.

Did you know? 

You can create your own nutrient solution for you hydroponic system by creating a casting tea out of your worm castings.

Mix one part worm castings with three parts water and soak 12 to 24 hrs.

To learn more about starting your own worm farm check out my lens on Vermiculture
Worm Farming is a great way to create free nutrients for your garden in a small space while reducing your household waste and your families impact on the environment.

Hydroponic Growing Kits 

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Aeroponic Growing Kits 

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Nutrient Mixes, Grow Lights and other accesories 

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klieneine

About klieneine

My name is Lauren and I am a Vegan.  I love organic gardening, vermiculture, and cooking.  I love teaching people about organic gardening and about preventing disease through better nutrition.  I hope you enjoy my lenses!

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