| > | | | | gardeners have made their dreams come true by |
| Everyday people have begun to purchase their own | | | | making their living in their backyard greenhouse and |
| hydroponic systems to grow great tasting and fresh | | | | selling their produce to local restaurants and markets. |
| food for their family and friends. Educators have also | | | | The potential of hydroponic culture is incredible, but |
| begun to realize the amazing applications that | | | | commercial hydroponics in the United States was held |
| hydroponics can have in the classroom. Many | | | | back until hydroponic systems that were economical |
| gardeners have made their dreams come true by | | | | to build and relatively easy to operate became |
| making their living in their backyard greenhouse and | | | | available in the marketplace. With the advent of high |
| selling their produce to local restaurants and markets. | | | | tech plastics and simpler system design, this came |
| Hydroponics means working water and comes from | | | | about in the late 1970s. The energy saving poly |
| the Greek words 'hydro' and 'ponos', meaning water | | | | greenhouse covers, the PVC pipe used in the feed |
| and labor. Many different civilizations have utilized | | | | systems, and the nutrient injector pumps & |
| hydroponic growing techniques throughout history so | | | | reservoir tanks were all made of types of plastic not |
| they are not a new method of growing plants. Giant | | | | available prior to the 1970s. |
| strides have been made over the years in this | | | | As both small and large hydroponic farms were |
| innovative area of agriculture. | | | | established in the late 1970s, it was proven that |
| Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists | | | | hydroponic culture could produce premium produce |
| have experimented with different methods of | | | | and be a profitable venture. As hydroponics attracted |
| hydroponics. One of the potential applications of | | | | more growers, complete plant nutrient formulas, and |
| hydroponics that helped continue research was for | | | | hydroponic greenhouse systems were being |
| growing produce in non-arable areas of the world. | | | | marketed. Environmental control systems were being |
| Hydroponics was also integrated into the space | | | | developed to help growers provide the ideal plant |
| program as hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability | | | | environment in addition to the ideal plant diet. |
| plans. The research for their plans is ongoing. | | | | Commercial crop growers are turning to soil less |
| By the 1970s, scientists and analysts wee not the only | | | | cultivation more and more. The speed of growth |
| people interest in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and | | | | combined with the control over the growing |
| eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues | | | | environment means higher quality crops. The worry |
| of hydroponic growing. Some of the positive aspects | | | | over soil born diseases and pests are greatly reduced, |
| of hydroponics include the ability to produce higher | | | | plus weeding is a thing of the past. For commercial |
| yields than soil-based agriculture and they allow food | | | | growers, rapid harvest and higher yields are great |
| to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that | | | | reasons to grow hydroponically. The techniques used |
| cannot support crops in the soil. | | | | by commercial growers are now available to the |
| Hydroponics also eliminates the need for massive | | | | home gardener. |
| pesticide use, which makes the air, water, soil, and food | | | | Hydroponics may be used in underdeveloped countries |
| much cleaner. Commercial growers are changing to | | | | for food production in limited space. It is even feasible |
| hydroponics like never before as the ideals surrounding | | | | to grow hydroponically in areas of poor soil conditions, |
| the growing techniques touch on subjects that interest | | | | such as deserts. The desert sand serves as a good |
| most people, including world hunger and making the | | | | growing media and seawater can be used to mix |
| world cleaner. | | | | nutrient solution once the salts have been removed. |
| Everyday people have begun to purchase their own | | | | The popularity of hydroponics has increased |
| hydroponic systems to grow great tasting and fresh | | | | dramatically over a very short period of time. |
| food for their family and friends. Educators have also | | | | Experimentation and research in the area of indoor |
| begun to realize the amazing applications that | | | | and outdoor hydroponic growing is an ongoing process. |
| hydroponics can have in the classroom. Many | | | | |