A Beginner's Guide to Hydroponics Farming: From Seed to Harvest

Shahbaz Khan

Hydroponics Technician - Agronomist

5 min read
A Beginner's Guide to Hydroponics Farming: From Seed to Harvest

Hydroponics is a game-changing method that allows for year-round cultivation in any environment and enables higher yields with less water usage. This article will present the basics of hydroponics, from setting up your system to selecting crops and managing nutrients.

Introduction to Hydroponics - The Principles of Hydroponic Farming

What is Hydroponics?

Plants can be grown in various hydroponic systems, including deep water culture, aeroponics, and drip irrigation. Hydroponics is a cultivation system that uses no soil to grow the plants—instead, the plants rely on a nutrient-rich water solution to support growth and yield production. Hydroponics is an efficient way to grow plants indoors, in greenhouses, on vertical farms, or at home, making it ideal for those who live in urban areas or have limited space.

Hydroponic farming is a type of plant cultivation where plants are grown in soilless media-solutions. This cultivation technique has many benefits, including the ability of the grower to control the environment in which the plants are grown, reduced water and fertilizers usage, and increased yields. This farming method can be used to grow various crops, including fruits and vegetables.

Hydroponics uses a nutrient solution to provide plants with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These solutions are created using a combination of mineral salts and other organic materials, like seaweed extract. The nutrient solution is then either pumped directly onto the roots of the plant or applied via drip irrigation systems.

In hydroponic farming, the grower can also control the environment by adjusting air temperature, light levels, and humidity. This helps to ensure that the plants receive optimal conditions for growth and development.

The Benefits of Hydroponics Farming

Hydroponics has many benefits over traditional soil-based farming and can be used to produce high yields in a variety of climates and locations. As hydroponics farming does not require soil, it can be used in areas where traditional agriculture would not be possible like deserts, or other arid regions, rooftops, areas with poor soil quality, or in any environment that lacks the necessary natural resources for crop cultivation. Additionally, hydroponics requires less water than soil-based farming, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.principles of hydroponics

Understanding the Principles of Hydroponic Farming

If you're new to hydroponics farming, the principles behind it can seem a bit daunting. But don't worry! In this section, we'll break down the key concepts so that you can start your journey with confidence.

The key to successful hydroponics farming is understanding the basic principles that underpin the system. These include:

  • Plant nutrition: Plants need a variety of nutrients for healthy growth. In hydroponics systems, these nutrients are typically supplied through specially formulated (water soluble) fertilizers.
  • Water quality: The water used in hydroponics systems must be high quality to prevent disease and encourage plant growth. Testing the water regularly and ensuring it meets all necessary standards is essential.
  • Oxygenation: Plants need oxygen for their roots to function properly. In most hydroponics systems, an air pump circulates oxygen-rich air through the root zone (to avoid anoxic conditions that could lead to root rot).

Setting Up a Hydroponic System

Hydroponic systems can be simple or complex, but all systems have a few key components. In its most basic form, a hydroponic system consists of:

  1. a growing medium,
  2. a water source, and
  3. a way to deliver water (and nutrients) to the roots of your plants

To get started, you'll need to choose a growing medium. Many options are available, but the three most common are:

  1. coco coir
  2. rockwool
  3. perlite

cultivation medium for hydroponics

Once you've chosen a growing medium, you must decide on a water source. City tap water is fine for most plants, but you must use filtered or distilled water if you plan on growing sensitive plants like herbs or leafy greens.

You will also need to choose a delivery method for your water (and nutrients). The two most common methods are drip and ebb & flow. Drip systems deliver a steady stream of water (and nutrients) directly to the roots of your plants, while ebb & flow systems fill your grow tray with nutrient-rich water for a set period of time before draining it away. Whichever system you choose, ensure your pumps are appropriately sized, and your tubing is rated for food-grade use.

Hydroponics Farming

Maintenance and Care for Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic systems require little maintenance. The most important thing to remember is always to keep the roots submerged in water. Moreover, you should also check the pH levels of the water used and add nutrients based on your plants' needs.

Growing Different Crops Using Hydroponics - Which Crops can be Cultivated with Hydroponics

This type of farming can be used to grow various crops, including vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

To start a hydroponics farm, you will need a few things to get started:

  1. You'll need a container to hold your plants and their roots. This can be anything from a simple plastic tub to a more complex system with pumps and tubes.
  2. You will need to add water and nutrients to your container. There are many different types of nutrients available for hydroponic gardens, so be sure to do some research to find the best option for your plants.
  3. You will need to choose the right plants for your system. Some plants are better suited for hydroponics than others, so selecting varieties that will thrive in your particular setup is essential. Some examples of crop species and varieties are the following:
  • Lettuce: Locarno; Concorde; Rex; Maximus; Starfighter
  • Basil: Emily
  • Kale: Darkibor
  • Parsley: Krausa

With a little planning and effort, anyone can successfully grow crops using hydroponics. This type of gardening offers many advantages over traditional methods, making it an ideal option for beginner farmers and experienced growers.hydroponic farming

Conclusion

Hydroponics farming can be a great way to grow plants without the need for traditional soil-based gardening. With the proper setup and some attention to detail, you'll be able to successfully grow all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in no time. Good luck with your hydroponics system - we know that with a little effort you will have amazing success!

References

  • Butler, J.D., 2006. Hydroponics as a hobby, growing plants without soil. Information Office of University of Illinois 18(2), 11-32.
  • van de Braak, N. J. Heating equipment. pp.171-171. In: Greenhouse Climate Control: An Integrated Approach
  • Lord Abbey & Sajjad Ali Rao. Differential response of plant species to greenhouse microclimate created by design technology and ambient conditions. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 2018, 98(2): 300-308
  • Marais, G. 1996. The basics of cooling and heating of greenhouses. Pamphlet number: REF: 8346.
  • Where did hydroponics come from? Available at https://medium.com/@evanfolds/the-history-of-hydroponics-99eb6628d205. Accessed on 16-08-2021.
  • Liao, P., Liu, J., Sun, L., Chang, H., 2020. Can the Adoption of Protected Cultivation Facilities Affect Farm Sustainability? Sustainability 12(23), 70-99.
  • Miller, A., 2011. A Critical Appraisal of Current Development in Vertical Farming. Carleton University publisher 8(15), 23-45.
  • Resh, H.M., 2013. Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower.
  • CRC Publisher 11(23), 45-68.
  • Resh, H.M., 1998. Hydroponics: Questions and answers for successful growing. Woodbridge Publisher 5(4), 12-23.

Read More:

A Beginner’s Guide to Hydroponics Farming: From Seed to Harvest

Different types of hydroponics systems and how they work

Challenges of Hydroponics Farming and how to overcome them