Go Green and Save Money at the Same Time with Hydroponics

Since the UK left the EU and the global supply chain was disrupted by the pandemic and more recently the war in Ukraine, food shortages have featured heavily on national media. It is a real worry for many people.

However, there is a solution! Hydroponics – a way to grow plants without using soil and a method that is not weather-dependant – can provide a source of food that is not only fresh, but that saves money at the same time. Growing your own food in this way also gives the peace of mind that comes from knowing what nutrients your plants are fed. Let’s face it, most ready-made sauces would taste much better if made with freshly grown ingredients!

Learning the skill of growing with hydroponics is an investment in your future. Having the knowledge and ability to grow food within the confines of your own home means you will benefit right now from fresher, tastier food, and also put you in a much better position to fight any food shortage that many come in the future.

Of course, it’s not just food that can be grown effectively at home. Flowers too can benefit from a hydroponic system. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can grow at home. Plants like aloe vera, mushrooms and other fungus-based food, houseplants, and even exotic plants that would never grow well in the natural climate due to the complete environmental control involved in hydroponics. You can basically create your own seasonality with the combination of light/heat control and regulated systemic feeding.

How Are Hydroponics Eco-Friendly?

Hydroponics can help the planet in many ways. Our current agricultural system is straining under the weight of increased pressure. By 2050, some estimates suggest we will need to increase food production by about 70%. That is a huge task! Especially considering the environmental damage that is already being done to the planet by overexploitation and over-farming. The amount of resources used in traditional farming is astronomical!

Hydroponics, on the other hand, eliminates all unnecessary components of traditional farming, such as soil, pesticides and even the sun! Plants receive energy from LED lighting that is tailored specifically to the to the energy needs of the plant. Soil is replaced by growth mediums such as coconut husk, which also minimises the risk of bugs and weeds at the same time. And because many systems use a vertical integration system, farmers are able to reduce their land use by up to 90%.

Many hydroponic farms also look to source their energy from renewable resources like solar panels and wind energy.

Take Away

As you have learned, hydroponics offer a way towards a more sustainable future while also putting an emphasis on the quality of the food, health and environment.

If the thought of growing your own plants and vegetables appeals to you, there is a wealth of information available on this topic that will help you take your first steps into this vibrant community of growers.

In conclusion, we just want to share a comment from the UK hydroponics specialists Progrow: “Forming a relationship with the process to make your own food, gives you complete ownership of your bodily nutrition, instead of having to rely on corporate supply chains”.