Hydroponic farming is one of the most innovative agricultural concepts in the past several millennia. Namely, it is a method where you get to grow plants without the use of soil. This is what makes it so ideal for urban rooftop container farming and many scenarios where the soil isn’t suitable for vegetable growth, to begin with. In the past, this technology was mostly in its prototype stage and not a lot of people were ready and willing to invest in it, due to its limited crop yield. Today, there are so many reasons why the hydroponic farming system is a great investment and here are eight of them.
1. Space-saving
If you plan to grow crops in a confined space, you might want to consider hydroponic farming. This way, you will get to maximize your yield per square foot. Due to the fact that they’re compact, hydroponic farms allow you to fully utilize the space that you’ve got. For instance, a medium-sized backyard couldn’t yield a significant crop if you’ve planted it the traditional way. On the other hand, if you decided to invest in a hydroponic farm, the yield and even the income from such a farm would be formidable. This, of course, comes with the higher investment price that it takes to get the farm going.
2. Viable indoor option
Another massive advantage is the fact that this system is viable indoors. Because you have the option to use vertical planters, the yield per square foot is maximized. This makes it convenient to install a hydroponic system indoors. The level of protection that this provides to your crops is, therefore, unprecedented. Protection from hail and sudden climate changes is something we’ll discuss a tad later. However, protection from malicious parties and pests is also something to consider. In other words, you can keep your indoor farm under the lock.
3. Healthier crops
Today, when the majority of people are concerned with the overall health levels of our soil, water and air, hydroponic farming may allow you to grow healthier plants. When it comes to growing organic food, a hydroponic system gives you a chance to start a 100% clean operation. If you decide to cover the farm, you will prevent toxic particles (from nearby factories and car exhausts) to reach your crops. You also don’t have to worry about pesticides and chemicals that neighbouring lots use in their farming efforts. This way, you get farming conditions that you completely control. The end result is much healthier crops.
4. Long-term investment
While it is true that a high-end hydroponic system takes maintenance, it is still a long-term investment that pays itself off. Keep in mind that it allows you to set up a decent indoor plant-growing setting. Also, remember that it needs to be observed through its equivalent in farmable land. If you were to buy land for farming, how much would you have to spend in order to get a patch that will give you a similar yield? Once you start observing the investment through this comparison, suddenly it becomes much more resource-appropriate.
5. Eco-friendliness
The next major issue worth considering is the eco-friendliness of this food-growing process. First of all, you get to conserve water, seeing as how you’re using a highly-efficient closed-loop system. In other words, while it heavily relies on water, hydroponic farming is actually quite water-saving. When compared to the waste of water caused by a standard irrigation system, these matters become even more transparent. Moreover, soil can be poisoned with pesticides from previous owners or surrounding farms, even if you’re not using them. With hydroponic farming, this is not a concern that you’ll have to face.
6. Control over the climate
Previously, we’ve mentioned the advantages of indoor farming but there’s no issue that deserves its own spot on the list. We’re, of course, talking about control over the climate. An unexpected shift in temperature can have negative repercussions on your crops. Also, a hailstorm can completely ruin the crop, thus making all the effort you’ve invested in it null and void. Furthermore, you need to understand that hydroponic farming takes more effort and more of your personal time. Spending this time in a more pleasant environment is something that you shouldn’t underestimate.
7. pH and nutrient control
One of the major ways in which you can revolutionize the concept of farming is by controlling the pH and nutrients that these plants have an access to. The fact that you manually add nutrients to the crops means that you can determine the exact amount that they receive. This eliminates the element of randomness that has dominated the world of agriculture for so long. In other words, it makes your yield more predictable and, therefore, more reliable than ever before. Also, because there are no weeds, your crops don’t have to compete for the available nutrients.
8. Financially viable agricultural method
A faster growth rate is more than just a concept that appeases the impatient. It is also a great economic perk, seeing as how it provides you with a quicker crop rotation. Indoor conditions increase the speed of an average crop rotation, which enables more cycles in a single year. Moreover, since it isn’t affected by the season, you are able to engage in intensive farming all-year-round. This is great for those who plan to grow commercial crops, seeing as how their goods will be available even outside of the season, which is when their price is the highest. All in all, it’s a massive advantage from a financial standpoint.
In conclusion
It is also worth mentioning that hydroponic farming has some downsides, as well. It can be quite time-consuming, seeing as how you’ll use effort to make up for various shortcomings. It also requires far more expertise than regular farming, not to mention various safety hazards that you will be exposed to (water and electricity). Still, when weighed against each other, it’s clear that benefits outweigh downsides by quite the margin. The question is only whether you’re ready and willing to commit.
