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Hydroponics-The art of soilless farming

With the turn of 21st century, technology has taken over most of the spheres of our lives. From waking up, to travelling, having food, talking over phone, to sleeping, each and every aspect has been touched by advanced science. One of the revolutionary turns took place when technology allowed individuals to grow their own food within the periphery of their home space. Thus, home farming came into being. The fresh-nutritious results are what the new generation strive for while looking for a meal. For the upcoming generation, it is about how healthy the meal is. Junk food are a choice of the past.

Various environmental challenges have risen over the last few years. Right from global warming to the pollution of soil, water and air, has been a contribution of mankind. Shortage of food and water is abundant. While talking about growing food, the primary problem of the vegetables or greens, available in the market are produced using pesticides to fulfill high demands. Organic farming comprises of cultivation of plants and rearing of animals using natural and biological substances, bereft of synthetic additions. Yet, organic farming, unable to meet the higher demand of the market falls behind in terms of farming. Thus, Home farming is the key when it comes to hassle-free, non-toxic and eco-friendly farming.

As You Grow, So Shall You Eat

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.
  1. Ensures Fresh home-grown food, from the farm to the kitchen table.
  2. No pesticides or insecticides are used.
  3. Ensures optimum utilization of minimum space.
  4. It is cost-effective.
  5. 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.

Hydroponics Lighting

Hydroponics is the science of indoor farming in the absence of soil and sunlight. Indoor farming is a boon for urban cultivators in a cityscape to grow their own food at home. All though plants require sunlight to grow, in hydroponics, the plants are equipped with lighting. Usually, the plants that remain outside, receive sunlight for a duration of six hours or more at night. Plants while sleeping at night, undergo metabolism and digestion. The task of setting up a hydroponics system at home can be quite challenging for a beginner. You will need to provide the same or required amount of light during the day, and night for the plants used in Hydroponics as well. When it comes to indoor farming, there are various options to choose from. All you have to choose is the right size according to your system, and the kind that you want to go for. Plants that are perennial have to have their own tight schedule of lighting and dark hours.

The Hydroponics system comprises different types of plants, that can be grown within the system. The lighting differs with the kind of plants we choose to grow. Not all plants survive or need a high amount of sunlight during the day, some grow in a lesser period of daylight. An electronic timer is essential when it comes to plants in a hydroponics system as different types of plants are grown in one hydroponics system. The garden is maintained properly due to the ability to regulate the necessity of light.

Indoors are the future of farming

Indoor farming is a concept which is constantly evolving. An increase in demand for food and lack of agricultural space in the cities enabled the idea to come to life. Unoccupied spaces like empty factories and warehouses are being used to grow greens. The greens are stacked one on top of the other. Indoor farming is also known as vertical farming. Vertical farming has also been adopted by various households in the cities.

Use of Hydroponics

The available spaces in the cities are compensated with patches of green using hydroponics. The plants are grown using a nutrient solution in a water solvent. LEDs or UV rays are used instead of sunlight in order to speed up the plant’s growth. The speed of growth supersedes the traditional method of farming. The plants’ growth is induced by the amount of sunlight not only during the day but also in accordance with the necessity of the growth process. The Hydroponics system contributes to the conservation of water by allowing the water to be reused within the system of flow. Indoor farming also saves electricity.
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