Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil. Instead of soil, plants thrive on nutrient solution which contains the minerals that the plants need. So, rather than searching throughout the soil for minerals, your plants are able to get nutrients easily, directly from the nutrient solution. Grow media -- such as gravel, peat, vermiculite Perlite, old rubber tires, rockwool or expanded clay aggregates -- is often used to support the plants and their root systems and perhaps to hold moisture around the roots. (The growing medium is totally inert.)

Hydroponic gardening is an easy, environmentally sound way to grow a wide variety of healthy plants. It offers numerous benefits including:

• Plants grow up to 50% faster than in soil because they have easy access to food and water.
• Plants become "vacation-proof" and "neglect-resistant"
• Nutrients are directly available to plants and don't get bound up
• Little or no pesticides are necessary. Plants start out in a disease-free medium.
• Smaller containers can be used because the roots can grow without being rootbound
• Gardening is possible where it would not be normally e.g. poor soil, rocky areas, even balconies. With the use of artificial lighting it is even possible to successfully garden in a spare room or garage.
• Less labor is required than growing in soil because no digging or weeding is required.
• Since plants do not need to compete for nutrients, more can be grown in a smaller area.
• The increased control over growing conditions makes it easier to provide the best possible environment for plants, leading to better quality produce and higher yields.
• Fast growing healthy plants grown by hydroponic methods are more resistant to pests and diseases.
• You will also notice improved flavor and texture in hydroponically grown fruit and veggies

Plants grown in hydroponic systems maintain optimum nutrient and moisture levels, so they grow faster and healthier. And no soil means no weeds and no soil-born pests or diseases. Another advantage is that root systems stay smaller on hydroponically grown plants, allowing the plant to focus its growth energy on producing plant mass rather than roots. This means you can have more plants per square foot of growing space. And since hydroponic plants never get root bound, they don't need to be repotted. Hydroponic produce has a longer shelf life than soil grown produce.

Just about anything, although some plants are more delicate or require more space than others. Here some of the veggies we suggest: tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumbers, squash, snow peas, beans, spinach, lettuce, chard, hot chilies, and broccoli. Also, you can grow all kinds of herbs, flowers and house plants in your hydroponic garden.

Yes. Although the two growing methods were at one time thought to be incompatible, there is common ground. Hydroponic growing is based on immediate and 100% nutrient availability. Organic fertilizers typically break down over a period of time via bacterial action in the soil.

Don't be surprised if your hydroponic vegetables taste better than the ones from your garden. Because hydroponically grown plants get everything they need, when they need it and without stress they are able to grow much healthier than their organic cousins. Remember with soil, important micronutrients are often "locked away" where your plants cannot take full advantage of them. That's why hydroponics is so great! You have complete control over the type and quantity of minerals your plants are feeding on. This advantage often produces fruits and vegetables that are far superior to organic produce in taste, color, size and even, nutritional value.