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Top 10 Benefits Of Hydroponic Vs Soil Farming Practices

Updated: Jul 12, 2021


When you buy soil, you are buying a mixture of organic material, with added minerals. In the majority of cases, the minerals in the store bought soil, have come from the same manufacturers as the hydroponic minerals. The difference is that the nature of soil based minerals is slow release whereas hydroponic minerals are fast release with fast up-take, thus optimal results & faster growth.
Soil Vs Hydroponics? What are the benefits of each.

Hydroponic nutrients are derived from mineral salts which are essentially the same as what is found in soil, just more readily available. When you buy soil, you are buying a mixture of organic material, with added minerals. In the majority of cases, the minerals in the store bought soil, have come from the same manufacturers as the hydroponic minerals. The difference is that the nature of soil based minerals is slow release whereas hydroponic minerals are fast release with fast up-take, thus optimal results & faster growth.


In soil, a plants roots must go in search for nutrient. This is why typically a soil based plant has a much larger root system than hydroponic. With Hydroponics, the nutrients are delivered directly to the root system in almost surgical quantities. This method ensures that plants receive exactly the right quantity of nutrition at the right times allowing the plant to spend it’s energy producing foliage, stems, leaves and fruit (instead of large root systems). 


Hydroponic growing translates into stronger, healthy, more vibrant plants with more vitamins and flavour compared with soil based grows. The ability to control the growing factors while conserving space is of paramount importance for yield per square meter crop yields and commercial profits.

Hydroponically grown plants are vigorous, they are also much less susceptible to pests and disease. Healthy vigorous plants have natural anti-fungal and anti-pest buffers which means very often, hydroponically grown produce does not require any pesticide whatsoever. Most soil based plants on the other hand, do require regular pesticide dosing to ensure the same results. Consuming produce which has been sprayed with chemicals has detrimental health consequences. The health issues from chemical fertilisers, pesticides and fungicides has been well documented. 


It is also worth noting that hydroponic systems are good for the environment.  As the water is recirculating, it is not being evaporated as readily or absorbed into the ground quickly. In fact, a recirculating hydroponic system can conserve up to 80% water compared to a standard garden bed. The increase of hydroponic growing has done wonders for agriculture especially within urban centres where the demand for fresh blemish free produce is high.





Faster Results:

Your plants grow way faster! 30-50% quicker than soil grown plants under the same conditions.  This has been studied and proven time and time again.


Chemical Free:

Plants grown off of the ground are less susceptible to pests and disease. By eliminating soil you also eliminate potential diseases.


Space Saving: 

Growing vertically saves an incredible amount of space when compared to growing in traditional methods in soil. A more efficient and smarter way to grow food.


Set & Forget Control:

With hydroponics, you are the master of your plant’s world. You have complete control over various factors which allows you to create an amazing life for your plants. Nutrient levels and mixture, light, humidity and space.


Water Saving:

The hydroponic growing technique can be utilised in places with dry and arid climates like deserts and/or areas where salt water has affected the soils growing abilities. This is a game changer for developing countries.


No Digging & Weeding: If you’ve had a large conventional garden bed, you’ll know how annoying and time consuming it can be to stay on top of the weed issue.


Science:

With hydroponics you get to think scientifically about your plants. Designing optimal spaces, measuring quantities, balancing the PH and tending to growing fluctuations and a great way to learn about plants and biology.


Grow Local:

With hydroponic farming it’s entirely possible to have micro grows in every backyard. Urban farming is an essential tactic to help ease the burden of societal food security issues worldwide.


80% Better Yields:

According to a study by NASA, controlled studies have shown the immense power of hydroponic growing techniques compared with soil based growing.


Repeat ability: 

Once you have your set-up locked in, you can utilise over and over and over again to produce incredible yields in small spaces, with minimal effort. Compared with a soil based garden in which many factors such as pests and diseases, water content in the soil and grow times can vary.






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