Hydroponic Gardening: What makes it Different from In-Ground Gardening?
Hydroponic Gardening: What makes it Different from In-Ground Gardening?
What makes hydroponic gardening different from traditional in-ground gardening is a soilless growing medium. No dirt! All plants require support, to be held up. This basic requirement is dealt with by soilless growing mediums which are inert, mostly non-organic materials. Non-organic refers to the medium not being derived from living organisms, unlike soil, which is. There are a perplexing jumble of growing mediums available for hydroponic gardening. Generally speaking, these mediums are porous, light and coarse, allowing oxygen and nutrients to be easy accessible to the plants roots.
Some of the most common used in hydroponic gardening are:
Coconut Coir ~ This is produced from the husk that surrounds the coconut shell. Made up of millions of tiny micro-sponges, it can absorb and hold up to eight times its weight in water, perfect for hydroponic gardening. It lasting three times as long as peat moss so is fairly sturdy. It is also called palm peat, coco, or just coir. Some of the advantagesof this medium for hydroponic gardening are better water retention and aeration. The disadvantages of coconut coir are its breakdown after several uses and some drainage issues. It is often mixed with other media to improve drainage for hydroponic gardening.
L.E.C.A / Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate ~ This is clay which has been heated under high temperatures until it puffs up. It makes a very coarse medium as the clay balls are about 1/4" across. Superb drainage, holds moisture, stays put and is reusable after sterilization to continue with your hydroponic gardening. These are just some of the advantages of this medium. On the downside, it doesn't hold moisture as well as mediums like coconut coir and can be more costly.
Perlite ~ Glass flakes (Silica) are heated until it expands producing what we know as perlite. These tiny nodules hold water well and provide drainage. A common medium for hydroponic gardening due to its low density and somewhat lower cost. Its advantage is its re-usability. That being said, it cannot be used alone for ebb & flow hydroponic gardening because it will float away or move during flooding cycles.
Rockwool ~ These cubes are made of fibers spun from melted Basaltic rock. The density of this growing medium for hydroponic gardening can be adjusted by changes in the amount of pressure during production. Large slabs are cut into smaller slabs and propagation blocks for easy handling in hydroponic gardening. Advantages of this medium are the ease of handling, convenience, better control over nutrition, being able to plant seeds in it and allow the plants to be very stable.
So you see, soil is not necessary for growing plants and you have plenty of other choices for your hydroponic gardening. There are many other ways to germinate a seed and support a plant. What is vital is water, food, light, warm and oxygen. As long as you provide these things, plus the support, your plants will grow and flourish. Visit http://www.hydroponicgarden.net to find all these choices and supplies for successful hydroponic gardening.
http://www.hydroponicgarden.net is a website dedicated to hydroponics information and supplies. Find all you need for successful hydroponic gardening and a healthy lifestyle.
Article from articlesbase.com
 Samsung MV800 161 MP 30 MultiView Black Compact Digital Camera 8GB Kit  $146.99 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 37m Buy It Now for only: $146.99 Click To Buy Now |
 Pinanga speciosa rare palm seedling $9.86 Time Remaining: 31m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 Poundex Queen Ann Vanity Set Stool Folded Mirrors Wood Table Bench Cherry 14055 $91.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 34m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 Garmin nuvi 2300LM 43 Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator w Lifetime Map Update $104.99 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 32m Buy It Now for only: $104.99 Click To Buy Now |
 Earthway Precision Walk Behind Garden Seeder 1001B $72.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 7m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 25 HEIRLOOM GARDEN VEGETABLE SEEDS NON GMO HYBRID ORGANIC SURVIVAL SEED BANK SET $9.95 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Click To Buy Now |
 Element 40 Class LED LCD 1080p 60Hz HDTV ELEFC401 $255.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 42m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 Disneyland Adventures Xbox 360 $11.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 56m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 75+ PERENNIAL FLOWER GARDEN SEEDS SWEET WILLIAM FARM MIX OLD TIMEY FAV $1.99 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Click To Buy Now |
 LG 47 LED backlit 1080p LCD TV 47LV4400 $470.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 2m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 100+ ANNUAL WILDFLOWER GARDEN SEEDS CALIFORNIA POPPY FARM MIX MIXED COLORS $1.99 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 52m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Click To Buy Now |
 COUNT RAVEN Storm Warning CD Active Records $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 30m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 Oil Painting New Orleans 1933 Colette Pope Heldner Newcomb Era Listed Artist nr $821.99 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 39m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 GNC Mega Men Sport 90 Caplets TS $11.99 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 49m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Click To Buy Now |
 30 Theme Decks w 267 Rare Cards + Chase Cards 1800+ Cards $100.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 38m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 25 HEIRLOOM VEGETABLE GARDEN SEEDS NON GMO HYBRID ORGANIC SURVIVAL SEED BANK $9.95 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Click To Buy Now |
 China PRC Sc 1632 1635 Scenes from Tarrying Garden MNH set $73.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 38m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 STELLA DOT GARDEN PARTY NECKLACE $72.25 (26 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 3m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
 Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 Wii $15.99 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 50m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Click To Buy Now |
 Premier Sand 9 Piece Outdoor Wicker Cozy Patio Set 09d Furniture IN STOCK $1,659.00 Time Remaining: 1h 1m Click To Buy Now Bid now |
Home Vegetable Gardening: A Complete and Practical Guide to the Planting and Care of all Vegetables, Fruits and Berries Worth Growing for Home Use (Illustrated Edition)For those who understand the significance of home-grown foods to surviving and thriving in difficult times, F. F. Rockwell's no-no...
Picnic Time 5 Piece Garden Tool Set With Tote And Folding Seat 542-93-121542-93-121 The unique and innovative Gardener is an ideal tool to use in any garden. With the sturdy chair and the durable detach...
All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!Do you know what the best feature is in All New Square Foot Gardening? Sure, there are ten new features in this all-new, updated ...
Trowel and Error: Over 700 Tips, Remedies and Shortcuts for the GardenerEver since she was old enough to help her grandmother in the garden, Sharon Lovejoy has spent her life working with plants-and alo...
You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to GardeningThis is not your grandmother's gardening book. You Grow Girl is a hip, humorous how-to for crafty gals everywhere who are discover...
Bond 6930 Pink 5 Piece Garden Tool Bag Gift SetGarden for a Cause Tool Bag Gift Set Every Sale Contributes To Help Curing Breast Cancer! Not only are these products useful in th...
Tagged with: Different • From • gardening • hydroponic • InGround • makes