Benefits of Hydroponic
So why use hydroponics? There are many natural resource, operational, and quality benefits to hydroponics that make it the right choice for different types of farmers. Below are just a few that have resonated with the mission and vision of our many freight farmers.
A VERTICAL HYDROPONIC GARDEN
Allowing for high density yields and shorter growth cycles. Reducing resource consumption – water, fertilizer and space. Labor saving – no weeds or soil to till. Higher consistency of crops with great tasting results.
FEWER PESTS
Soil based farming is vulnerable to attack from a vast number of unwanted pests that can destroy a season of hard work over night – birds, squirrels, gophers, deer, groundhogs, the list goes on. Hydroponic systems can be set up in places where these pests don’t exist or where you’ve created effective barriers, like four walls and a roof.
NO WEEDS
Do you know how much time farmers spend combating weeds? No? It’s a lot. Weeding is one of the most back breaking and time consuming tasks of anyone growing plants in soil. In hydroponics, there’s no seeds from other plants in the growing medium so there’s no weeds growing and fighting against your crop.
NO HERBICIDES
Since there’s no soil and no weeds, farmers have no reason to use toxic chemicals like herbicides to fight unwanted vegetation. The absence of these chemicals helps you grow cleaner food.
PRECISE CONTROL
Precise control over the nutrients your plants need to thrive. By using plant-specific nutrient formulas and daily monitoring, the farmer has control over what their plants are getting and how much nutrients are getting. By providing plants with exactly what they need to grow and develop to their full size, there is little risk of poor crop quality or quantity.
GROW JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE
Commercial hydroponics doesn’t have the limitations of being held to rural agricultural land. Being able to grow closer to the people eating your crops increases accessibility and eliminates the need for complex distribution networks that take away profits from the farmer.
QUICK TURNOVER
With hydroponics, there are no seasonal limits or restoration periods required for the farm. Once a plant is harvested, the next can be planted in its place allowing for maximum yield be square foot.
WATER EFFICIENCY
Hydroponic systems use significantly less water than soil based farming and allow you to recycle the water you give to your plants. Instead of having it drain down through the soil and away from the roots of a plant, it’s collected and pumped right back to the plants. This cycle of irrigation, collection, and irrigation again continues until the plants have consumed the water.
ABILITY TO GROW YEAR-ROUND
Growing hydroponically allows you to grow year-round, and supply local produce 365 days a year regardless of the season. Being able to grow year-round helps farmers eliminate business risks of a poor crop season and helps increase local food access in the community.
HYDROPONICS VS. TRADITIONAL GARDENING!
LESS SPACE
Hydroponics saves an incredible amount of space in a completely controlled environment than a traditional farming.
FASTER GROWTH
Compared to traditional outdoor farms, plants grow 25% faster. Plant, pick and plate within as little as 4-5 weeks.
MORE EFFICIENT
You can save around 90% of the water used in soil gardening simply by switching to a hydroponic setup.