The idea of kitchen gardening is not new to households. We have earlier grown chilies and herbs by the kitchen window to be plucked and put to use, while cooking. Lack of time and space has been a reason for the city dwellers to have not come across it that frequently. Although, in recent times, people have started growing fond of the concept due to its various advantages.
Advantages of Growing Your Own Food
Kitchen Gardening has its own benefits.
• Ensures Fresh home-grown food, from the farm to the kitchen table.
• No pesticides or insecticides are used.
• Ensures optimum utilization of minimum space.
• It is cost-effective.
• Also, the vegetables that are bought from the market are plucked early and artificially ripened in order to sell, whereas with kitchen gardening you get to decide when to harvest.
Use of Hydroponics system
In traditional method of farming, you have to use soil and get your hands dirty as well as ensure that the plants receive sunlight for six hours a day, adequate space and a means of water supply, every day. The alternative means of farming like Hydroponics rescue urban growers from the antiques of traditional farming.
Hydroponics is the art of growing plants in the absence of soil, in a nutrient-enriched solution dipped in a water solvent. As a source of light, LEDs are used instead of sunlight. Adequate available spaces, lack of pesticides, controlled atmosphere is some of the advantages that one derives along with healthier crops.
Greens and Fruits grown in Hydroponics system
A small production-sized unit is required for Hydroponics as the name suggests itself that it is farming in water. Large-sized vegetables shouldn’t be considered because they might outdo the production unit.
Leafy greens like spinach, mint, lettuce, basil, cabbage, and vegetables like potato or tomatoes are some of the befitting greens that can be ideally grown in a Hydroponics system.
Potatoes can be grown only if the size is smaller. The starch of potatoes is stored in the roots. Hence, there must be adequate space for the potatoes to grow. Vine veggies like tomatoes peas and beans are also suitable for hydroponics system. Leafy greens such as mint, comes with a lot of varieties. The varieties differ with their ability to grow faster than others.
Tips to take care of Your Hydroponics System
While you are sowing your plants in the hydroponics system, it is necessary for you to take care of your kits daily. Here are some tips of how you can take care of your patch daily.
- Spray the plants daily because humidity is good for them.
- In a situation where you witness that your nutrient solution has been soaked up, simply add a little water instead of more nutrient solution.
- Make sure that the system does not gets drained or flooded by water as both of them would have an adverse effect on the plants.
- Do keep an eye for pests.
- Control or regulate the room temperature as per requirement.
Taking care of plants can always be a hobby where you get to bear the responsibility for a healthy and sustainable living. Make sure that you take care of your fern babies and cater to all the needs that they require to grow.