1. Maximizes Space
Hydroponics requires far less space than plants grown in soil. Depending on the system, when hydroponics are combined with vertical farming techniques, they can use up to 99 percent fewer lands than typical farming techniques.
One reason for the smaller footprint of hydroponic plants is that the roots do not have to spread out to search for nutrients and moisture. Water and nutrients are delivered to the roots directly, either intermittently or constantly, depending on the hydroponic technique being employed. This means that each plant’s root system can take up far less space, resulting in the ability to grow more plants in a smaller space. When you add in vertical stacking methods, it’s easy to see how a much smaller area is needed to produce a hydroponic garden than a traditional one.
2. Conserves Water
It may seem counterintuitive, but growing plants in water actually use less water than growing the same plants in soil. In fact, hydroponic plants can grow with up to 98 percent less water than traditional growing methods.
Why is this important? According to a 2019 report from the World Health Organization, only 71 percent of the world’s population has a safely-managed water drinking service. By 2025, half of the world’s population will live in water-stressed areas. Conserving water is likely to become more and more crucial as time goes on, making irrigation for agriculture more difficult and less profitable.
Of the water taken in through a plant’s roots, only about 0.1 percent of the water taken in is actually used by the plant itself. Most are then released into the air through evapotranspiration. Hydroponics systems make use of recirculated water, allowing plants to absorb what they need, then return the rest to the system.
As global food production continues to increase year over year, it’s consuming more water than ever before. It’s estimated that it takes about 3 gallons of water to produce a single cup of lettuce through traditional methods. 2.7 ounces serving of broccoli takes about 11 gallons of water to produce. And for every 4.3 ounces of tomatoes you consume, 8 gallons of water have been used in the growing process. It seems that if we want to be serious about conserving water, hydroponics is an important part of the process.
3. Facilitates a Micro-Climate
Hydroponic gardens can be easily contained within a hydroponic greenhouse or other structure. This means they can have their own micro-climates, insulated from many of the difficulties that traditional farmers must work to address. They aren’t left to the mercy of pests and don’t need to be treated with a wide range of insecticides. In temperature-controlled facilities, plants can be grown year-round, regardless of the climate or weather outside. And with artificial grow lights, even the amount of sun available isn’t a problem.