According to Kemper Center for Home Gardening, from ancient days to the time of modern man, people have practiced the art of gardening without soil. One of the techniques of growing plants without soil is called hydroponics. The word itself means "water work." Plants will grow hydroponically in water outdoors, indoors or in greenhouse settings. Kemper Center for Home Gardening encourages growing commercial hydroponic crops as well as gardening hydroponically at home.
Commitment
One of the first questions that you need to ask yourself is; how committed do you want to be? If you just want to grow a few plants and don't want to study, experiment and build elaborate systems, it's best to think this out before you start. You certainly can enjoy plants on a simple scale rather than to overwhelm yourself and become frustrated with what was supposed to be a relaxing hobby. As explained by Hydroponics.com, you will find that when you set up the proper water circulating system, you don't have to worry about staying home every day to water your garden and that may be a big plus for you in making your gardening decisions.
Space
You also must consider how much space you have to dedicate to this project. If you are rooting plants in a glass of water as a grade school classroom demonstration, obviously you can keep things small. Can you still be successful if you have big dreams but you can only offer a space in a tight urban environment? That question will be hard pressed to answer if you were planning a commercial crop. You will have more than a few challenges but if you are willing to consider selling seedlings, herbs, cut flowers or other small crops, you may do quite well in a small space. As described by hydroponics.com, sometimes mid-size hydroponic gardeners find more room in the basement or another easily accessible area of their house rather than in their yard. However if your hydroponic garden space is indoors , you must find it the proper light source as Kemper Center for Home Gardening suggests.
Resources
While planning, you must also consider how much capital you have to invest in this endeavor, how much time you are willing to allot to the project and how many people are needed to help you accomplish your goals. The answer to these questions will be best answered once you know what type of plants you desire to grow. Just remember the Babylonians, Aztecs and the Chinese have all grown plants in water centuries before us and today's experts are very willing to share the secrets that they have mastered.
Types of Crops
According to Kemper Center for Home Gardening, If you are hoping to grow consumable vegetation then maintaining a wholesome water source is paramount. If your plants are decorative house plants then you may consider using well water or rain water. Kemper Center for Home Gardening endorses tomatoes and green leafy vegetables as consumable crops that grow well in water.
Fungus Gnats and Mosquitoes
You may find water work to be less work than raising plants in soil. According to Kemper Center for Home Gardening, all you really need is air, water, warmth, light, root support and the proper nutrients to be successful. Standing water should be avoided due to the increased possibility of breeding of pests such as the ones identified by the experts at Hydroponics Simplified, like fungus gnats, thrips and mosquitoes. Hydroponic gardening doesn't have all the hassles of soil pathogens and disease-causing agents that conventional gardeners have to deal with but you still must keep your guard up. As described by Hydroponics.com, when growing plants indoors you can avoid crop molestation by animals such as rodents and birds that have easier access to outside vegetation. If you adhere to most of its simple rules you also won't have to worry about weeds or under- and over-watering your crops. The water level, pH and quality of nutrients are the variables that you must experiment with until you master this gardening technique.
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