Make Gardening Convenient With the Best Hydroponic Growing Systems
Are you looking for fresh tomatoes in the winter months? Perhaps you are looking for beautiful flowers for months on end with no florist hassles? Meet these hydroponics systems or simply known as indoor controlled gardening systems. A hydroponic system will let you into a world of effortless gardening, making you question why you waited so long to get your hands on one.
Hydroponic systems are water-based growing systems that help your garden without the hassle of a conventional setup involving plenty of space. This is a great initiative to promote gardening, even in small spaces like apartments. Similarly, it can be a great starting point for new gardeners prone to making mistakes.
These systems come in many types; some are completely automatic, while some give you plenty of opportunities to practice for a real garden. It's perplexing to find the best hydroponic garden system for your place owing to its many types and different mechanisms. That is why we went through loads of systems in 2022 to help you find the best hydroponic system for your needs!
Buying Guide to Find a Great Hydroponic Growing System
Hydroponic systems are the future of gardening. There are many benefits of employing a hydroponic system that compels individuals to invest in one. They come in so many types and features it gets confusing in what to invest in.
That is why we jotted down the key things you need to know about these kits to buy something worthwhile. Check out our guide for a deep analysis of these and how to get the best one.
What Is A Hydroponic System?
Hydroponics can be broken down into "hydro" and "ponics." The word hydro means related to water, and ponic means labor. These water-based growing systems help you grow many plants, fruits, and veggies in a water-based setup without soil. Although the ones we see in the market are modern pieces of technology that work on their own with minimal maintenance, the origin of water farming can be dated back centuries.
The biggest example is the Hanging Garden of Babylon which is a great example of gardening without soil. In many other countries of the world, water farming was employed to save the land and harvest faster. This, over time, took the shape of a more refined indoor garden setup that we now know as a hydroponic system.
The ebb and flow system is a popular type of hydroponic system. This hydroponics system uses nutrient-rich water that pumps in and out of a reservoir to support the plants. An ebb and flow hydro system is a little more complicated to use than basic hydroponic systems, but can be very rewarding for intermediate-level hydroponics growers. With a little practice, anyone can successfully run an abb and flow hydroponics system.
What Are the Primary Elements of a Water-based Gardening System?
The hydroponic systems vary in their setup and their mechanism. Nonetheless, some components are the same in all hydroponic systems.
Water
Water is one of the most important elements of a hydroponic system, especially since the entire system is based on water farming. The water provided needs to be changed regularly and has a balanced pH of around 6-6.6, essential for effective plant growth. The water also is essential for circulating the nutrient solution to the plant.
Oxygen
The water circulated inside the hydroponic system is enriched with oxygen. This is necessary to help grow the plant well. Without oxygen, the plants may drown in water alone, thus making oxygen a necessary element of the hydroponic system.
Root bases
These systems also have root bases that help place the plant roots secure themselves underwater without letting the entire plant drown. It can be peat moss, perlite, rock wool, or many other types.
Nutrients
The reason why people opt for a hydroponic system is because of the nutritional value of veggies and fruits. The produce is nutritious because the system is provided with nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and other fertilizers from a nutrient solution.
This nutrient solution is added to the water, which is then absorbed by the plants. Hydroponic systems need these nutrient solutions because they are lacking access to the nutrients typically found in soil. Thus, the nutrient solution is specially formulated to help the plants thrive in water.
Light
Light is a must to ensure photosynthesis takes place. These plants grow faster because of balanced LED lights present all year round. These lights are great to speed up the growth of the plant. That's why the perfect setup comes with energy-efficient LED lights.
Why Are They Popular?
There are many reasons why hydroponic systems are gaining popularity. We listed them down to help you understand why these are a great buy for everyone.
Conserve space
One of the biggest dilemmas today is the immediate utilization of agricultural land for housing. That is why hydroponic systems that help save space are more in the spotlight. The hydroponic systems are great for growing plants while conserving space since the setup can easily be placed over a countertop or any small space.
Save water
The water crisis is another one that we have fallen prey to. A hydroponic system is a great way to conserve our water resources and make them last. The hydroponic systems use around ten times less water than their oil-based counterparts. This can help save and recycle water.
Pest free
With soil-based farming, the chances of getting infestations are quite large. Nonetheless, with a water-based system, rarely would you have to worry about pests or insects.
Nutritious produce
The product of these water-based systems is far higher in nutritional value than a soil-grown one. This is because of loads of nutrients and oxygen provided are in a controlled setup. This helps grow fruits and veggies that are extremely healthy in a fraction of the time.
Efficient growth
The time it takes for seeds to sprout decreases in a hydroponics system. These hydroponic systems are great since they will let you see results in weeks all year round.
Abundant yield
Along with the quality, the quantity of the product is better too. This is highly beneficial for businesses since the bulk quantity will increase their profit margins in no time.
How To Buy the Best One
While buying a hydroponic system, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Needs
It would help if you always kept your needs in mind. Thinking about what you want to grow can help you choose the perfect hydroponic system.
Size
Although these are space-saving, some systems are larger than others. That is why it's advised to measure the space you have before buying one. If you plan on shopping for these online, you can check the measurements in the description.
Experience
You also have to keep in mind your level of expertise. If you are a newbie to gardening, then automatic systems are better, but if you want to get more involved, then a manual hydroponic system or ebb and flow system works great too.
Budget
These systems can be quite expensive. Ensure that the one you plan on buying is within your budget.
Hydroponic Growing Tips
While hydroponics is pretty easy to get into, it's always helpful to go in with a little bit of knowledge. This video from Plant4Table shares 7 great tips that will help beginners have a successful harvest.
Comparing the Top-Rated Hydroponic Growing Systems of 2022
iDOO Hydroponic Growing System
– Best Overall
This growing system is an ingenious setup to grow many plants, fruits, and veggies with no soil. With this hydroponic growing system, you will have a year-round herb garden in your home for all your cooking needs. The system is a self-watering planter with a built-in light to watch your specimens grow from seeds. It can also be the ultimate educational gift for your active kiddos. The light is a LED grow light that helps plants grow faster thanks to its full-spectrum supply.
The watering system is quiet since the pump that will help circulate water and oxygen is noiseless. Additionally, the watering system is on auto-control, which will work without any mess, soil, or weather limitation. The system also has a fan that is essential for pollination. It will promote airflow and balance air temperature helping the 12 plants grow perfectly. Furthermore, the visual window and smart soil sponge pods make this one of the top choices.
- Decent size
- Great growth
- Foolproof setup
- Requires maintenance
AeroGarden Hydroponic Growing System
– Runner Up
The company aims to incorporate indoor gardening into the life of busy individuals. They aim to inspire and enable people to enhance the quality of their foods in their homes through a simple but regular connection to what they grow. This aim helped AeroGarden come up with this spectacular six-pod harvest garden. This countertop option has a sleek design and the size makes it ideal for compact spaces. This will help you eliminate the soil and mess hassles since the plants naturally grow in water.
The growth is more efficient owing to the energy-efficient LED light. The water system helps grow the produce about five times as fast as the plant would grow in a soil-based system. The system also has simple reminders to help new gardeners keep the system in check. The efficient system lets seeds sprout in days and harvest in weeks and lets you enjoy them all year long.
- Takes care of itself
- Amazing growth
- No bug infestation
- Light may be too bright
EZORKAS Hydroponic Growing System
– Honorable Mention
Next up is this 12 pods indoor gardening kit. This particular setup lets the plant grow up to 21 inches. The height of the system’s light can be adjusted depending on the plants’ type and growth cycle. This will help the plants, fruits, or veggies absorb the perfect light for optimal growth. The product’s control panel is great for letting you know when you need to add in the plant solution. This hydroponic growing system has a neatly designed water circulation system, which boosts the oxygen content in the water.
The oxygenated water is better for the growth of plants, and you get to have total control over your weather. The kit has different veggies and fruit modes with different shades of light that help improve the growth of that vegetable or fruit. The 8 LED growing light is a high-performance and efficient full-spectrum light. The light is required to fulfill the natural photosynthetic process of plants which ensures abundant yet all-natural produce.
- Easy to assemble
- Quick sprouting
- Easy to use
- Unable to recover from power failure
Ivation Hydroponic Growing System
– Also Consider
If you are looking for a complete indoor hydroponic growing kit, this is it. This all-in-one kit contains all the essentials you need to plant and cultivate your desired produce. All you have to do is add the seeds, no soil, no light, or greenhouse, and it will still grow perfectly. It’s the ideal setup for kitchens, offices, schools, or limited space. The setup has seven individual pod baskets for a plethora of herbs. It also has a nutrient-rich powder, adapter, and water tank, which perfectly fits an entire garden into a small space.
The smart LED bulb can be adjusted according to the amount of light needed for your greens. The multimode control panel is touch operated to give a high-end and modern look. The modes are great for self-regulation. The circulating pump is what stimulates healthy growth and keeps pests away. With this, you will certainly get to relish the adventures of water gardening.
- Easy to use
- Giftable
- Great for colder regions
- Takes a while to sprout
LAPOND Hydroponic Growing System
– Also Consider
This hydroponic growing system is designed for fast, convenient, and nutritional gardening. This setup is ideal for beginners. You don’t need to have years of experience in taking care of plants to handle this, and the herb you grow will be more nutritious and better-tasting than ordinary ones. These are grown in a more oxygen-rich system that supplies nutrients directly at the roots.
The material used is durable with PVC pipes. It also has ample space for many plants. This is perfect if you plan on growing lettuce, spinach, cabbage, herbs, beets, garlic, etc. The water pump is automatic, but the circulation cycle can be set manually. The pump will save you time nutritional solutions and help the plants and veggies grow well. This is super easy to assemble and brings you close to nature. The kit also comes with a one-year warranty if you run into any issues.
- Simple
- Effective growing system
- Easy to assemble
- Lack of instructions
People Also Asked
A: Certainly! These systems save space water and are mess-free.
A: Major types include a wick-based hydroponic growing kit, deep water cultures, NFT, ebb and flow technology, and aeroponics systems.
A: Yes! many businesses have seen great success and huge profit margins on hydroponic growing system-based businesses.
