The Pros:

When compared to traditional methods of growing, hydroponic gardening can be more productive in two areas: First, you will save a lot of space and grow more plants since you can place the plants much closer to one another mostly because of the way nutrients are provided to the roots. The economy of space is more than considerable since you can grow up to 4 times more plants in the same area as you would if using soil.

A second positive point with hydroponics is that the method being soil-less, you eliminate the problems that are associated with it such as sick plants, damaged or even wasted crops.

The nutrient mix that is used can be customized to the grower’s needs and taste. This can be quite a strong point if, in certain conditions, the gardener has to compromise to be able to grow in the most favorable areas of the available space. Nutrient mix can be customized to the needs of any variety of herbs, with the proper ratio every time, no guessing!

Water consumption is another favorable factor to take into account. A hydroponic crop will consume 1/10th of the water needed to accommodate a similar soil-based garden. The water is also used more effectively to the exclusive needs of the plants. For instance, there is no weeds present to consume any of the water or the nutrients mixed through it.

Being grown in a contained environment, it is a very eco-friendly. It involves no pesticide or its run-off water damaging immediate and surrounding ground

Of course, with the absence of soil is also the non-existence of soil-based diseases. Based on these strong points, the hydroponic method is certainly a very efficient alternative to the traditional ways of growing healthy, flavorful herbs.

The Cons:

Sound quite good up to here, doesn’t it? Well as in all good things, comes a few quirks… Though great benefits are to be obtained with hydroponic growing, the costs can be quite hefty especially nutrient mixtures and growing mediums.

Another expense is electrical energy. Since hydroponic growing is most often done in an interior or greenhouse environment, a sizable quantity of light is needed by the growing plants.

It is a rather sad situation to consider the financial barrier that keeps this food producing marvel to be made available in areas that would it need it most. But research is addressing these problems and progress is being made, of course new technologies are eagerly awaited.

This pretty much sums up the weighting of hydroponic herb gardening, if this is right for you is up to you of course. If you would like more on hydroponic or herd gardening information in general, follow the links at the bottom of the page.

Eustache Davenport is a gardening enthusiast and author. He lives in Montreal and enjoy teaching his gardening secrets to work groups on how to setup, optimize and maintain an amazing herb garden. For more great tips and information on hydroponic herb gardening, visit http://www.herbgardeningonlineguide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eustache_Davenport

AeroGarden 2101-00S Classic 7-Pod with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit, Silver)

Here’s a smaller system:  (It’s cute, isn’t it?)

AeroGarden 900110-1208 Classic Garden 3-Pod with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit, Black (See all Plant Germination Kits)

The 5th video of the tree. I will probably be updating mostly with pictures from now on. You can follow my blog if you would like http://indoorhydroponicblueberrytree2.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Second video in a hydroponic tree experiment series. www.solarhydrogencycle.com

Hydroponic gardening is gardening without soil as a medium. The nutrients are delivered directly to the roots. This method removes the uncontrollable factors found in gardening and creates a sound and stable garden.

Using hydroponic gardening for herbs will most likely produce more herbs because the plant does not need to use all of its energy and resources seeking out the nutrients required in order to thrive and survive. The nutrients are fed directly through the roots. The plant expends its energy on growth

What Supplies Are Needed for a Hydroponic Herb Garden?

The basic supplies needed for a hydroponic herb garden are:

1. a way to hang the plant

2. a container for the nutrients

3. a growing medium

For beginners to hydroponic gardens, you might want to try a kit. These are very easy to use and come with good instructions. They can be found both online and offline.

If you would like to make your own garden, you will need certain supplies. The first need is for containers. Hydroponic containers, though, need to allow the plant to be suspended over its nutrient solution. The plant can be tied from a hanger or tied to some other object that can be suspended.

The container at the bottom holding the nutrient solution should be such that it cannot leak. Soak only part of the roots of the plant in the solution. By allowing other roots to hang in mid air, aeration will be allowed. This is also needed in order for the plant to thrive.

Either fertilizer or plant food dissolved in water can serve as the nutrient solution. Leaving the solution until it is totally depleted and needs to be replenished is one option for care. The other is to maintain the amount of nutrient solution in the container.

What Are The Advantages of Hydroponic Herb Gardening?

Since the roots of the plants have direct access to the nutrients it needs and has no need to spread out in search of these, the plant will have much greater growth. This means you will have many more herbs from your garden. Many diseases are borne in the soil. Without soil, there will be none of these to affect your herbs.

Because the nutritional needs of the plants are directly addressed, gardening without soil will yield more and bigger crops. Because you reap more from each plant, you do not need to grow as many plants. Since their environment and nutrient solution is so controlled, plants will not wither. You will find you can reap a much larger harvest from fewer plants in a smaller area by using hydroponic gardening for your herbs.

Next, get your free Hydroponic report. Learn more benefits and the process of Hydroponic Gardening at http://www.indoorhydroponicgardening.com/5.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanene_Fisher

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4078734

Sounds too intense for me but I love the idea of fresh blueberries.  In this video they start off small, I wonder how long the plant could stay indoors if its too cold outside?

From solar4you on youtube.  “This is the first part of the Education series. We are putting together a single bucket hydroponic system that we bought through www.solarhydrogencycle.com.”

How to build a solar powered recirculating hydroponic system for your balcony or backyard.

These stackable planter pots can’t be beat in the “Neat & Orderly” category.

Isn’t it adorable?  Just drop in a prepared seed pellet tray and done! Indoor herb garden that can grow right on your kitchen windowsill.

Or if one doesn’t mind getting hands dirty, each level can handle just a little bit of dirt and then just drop in the seed or seedlings.

The reviews on Amazon vary however.  What’s in the pic is called ‘terracotta’ but apparently its plastic.  Some folks seem to think the plastic is cheap, others say the plastic was fine.

Ideal for folks with limited space and limited time for complex growing systems.

The Stack and Grow Terracotta Planter with 20 Planting Pockets is about 25% off via amazon.

Buy it with this herb pack – Assortment of 12 Culinary Herb Seeds – Grow Cooking Herbs- Parsley, Thyme, Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Sage, More.  

This video is brought to by the good folks at ProgressiveGardening.org!

Duration : 0:2:25

Today, hydroponics is used in a variety of settings. Wherever soil is unavailable, hydroponic gardening seems to appear. Wildcatters on offshore oilrigs grow their own tomatoes. Cooks on nuclear submarines hydroponically grow vegetables to use in there crew’s meals. Right now, plants are growing on orbiting space stations without a single grain of soil.

This video is an outline of the equipment and steps neccessary to build your own hydroponic garden. More information and diy hydroponics instructions can be found at http://www.self-sufficient-life.com/Hydroponic_Gardening

Duration : 0:5:56