Why Practice Hydroponics?
Hydroponics has been practiced by market gardeners and other growers since the 1940s. The advantages of hydroponics are many; however, the disadvantages should not be overlooked when you are deciding whether or not to set up a hydroponics system.

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Advantages
1. You can grow anywhere
Crops can be grown where no suitable soil exists or where the soil is contaminated with disease.
2. Culture is intensive
A lot can be grown in a small space, over a short period of time. It is also possible to grow in multi-levels. Where transportation costs to the market are significant (e.g. in the centre of large cities), hydroponic farms may be viable irrespective of land values. For example, in Japan hydroponic vegetables are grown in supermarkets in the centre of large cities. The savings on transport costs and the benefits of having fresh produce offsets the increased cost of space in these cities.
3. Heavy work is reduced
Labour for tilling the soil, cultivation, fumigation, watering and other traditional practices can be reduced and sometimes eliminated.
4. Water is conserved
A well-designed, properly run hydroponic system uses less water than gardening. This is an important advantage in areas with poor quality or limited water supplies. In particular, hydroponics is seen to have potential benefits in controlling water pollution in developing countries.
5. Pest and disease problems are reduced
The need to fumigate is reduced. Soilborne plant diseases are more easily eradicated in many nutriculture systems. This is particularly true in ‘closed systems’ which can be totally flooded with an eradicant. The chance of soilborne human disease is also reduced.
Though rare in developed countries, it is possible for diseases to be transmitted from animal manures or soil microorganisms onto food plants grown in soil, leading to illness.
6. Weed problems are almost eliminated
Weeds are a major problem in most soil-based systems. Weeds are almost non-existent in hydroponic setups.
7. Yields can be maximised
Maximum yields are possible, making the system economically feasible in high density and expensive land areas.
8. Nutrients are conserved
This can lead to a reduction in pollution of land and streams because valuable chemicals needn’t be lost.
9. The environment is more easily controlled
For example, in greenhouse operations the light, temperature, humidity and composition of the atmosphere can be manipulated, while in the root zone the timing and frequency of nutrient feeding and irrigation can be readily controlled.
10. Root zone chemistry is easier to control
Salt toxicities can be leached out; pH can be adjusted; EC
(electroconductivity) can be adjusted.
Also salts will not bind chemically to the majority of media used in hydroponics so problems of salt build-up that may occur in soils, particularly when highly soluble nutrients are used, are uncommon in hydroponics.
11. New plants are easier to establish
Transplant shock is reduced.
12. Crop rotation/fallowing is not necessary
All areas can be used at all times – you don’t need to leave a paddock for a year to fallow every so often.
The amateur horticulturist can use hydroponic systems at home, even in high rise buildings. A nutriculture system can be clean, lightweight, and mechanised.

If you would like to know more about hydroponics, read our hydroponics ebook today.