What Does Hydroponically Grown Mean?

From regenerative gardening to sustainable hardscaping, modern gardening has an expansive vocabulary that is full of buzzwords and plant jargon. This is not a surprise, as the landscape of farming and gardening is rapidly evolving. Communities are becoming more food self-sufficient, consumers are seeking more affordable and high-quality produce, and technology is bringing new and exciting opportunities to agriculture. It’s an exciting time to grow produce!

Hydroponics is just one of those changing technologies and is a highly-sustainable solution for growing fresh food. From aiding with food production challenges in areas with limited resources to growing produce in hospital cafeterias, hydroponically grown produce is a modern form of gardening and farming that can be used in many settings. 

What Are “Hydroponically Grown” Plants?

Growing hydroponically is a method of growing plants without soil in a nutrient-rich water solution. Regardless of factors like season, climate, healthy soil, and available space, hydroponically grown plants can grow all year long. By providing a controlled environment and an efficient means of nutrient delivery, hydroponics offers many advantages to growers and farmers all over the world. The method is increasing in popularity with home growers, restaurants, farms, organizations, communities, and more, as it provides an environmentally friendly approach to agriculture.

Key Features of Hydroponic Growing

When learning about what hydroponically grown means, it’s important to understand a few key features of this growing method. Through hydroponic growing, plants are grown:

• Without soil - Soilless cultivation (growing without using soil) is a core aspect of hydroponic growing. Auburn University successfully grew strawberries hydroponically in a controlled environment without soil.
• Through water - In hydroponics, plants receive nutrients from water-based solutions instead of soil. Produce from fresh greens to strawberries and cucumbers can be grown with a water-based solution. 
• In a controlled environment - Hydroponic setups allow for control over environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity and pH levels. For some vegetables, such as beans, blueberries, and radishes, these environments are preferred, as they have extremely specific favorable conditions. 
• Vertically and in small spaces - Hydroponic systems can be set up in small spaces, especially vertical ones, making them ideal for urban environments and indoor gardening. With these support structures, produce such as mini peppers, basil, and mint, can be grown vertically.
• At a lower overall cost - While there is an initial investment associated with setting up a hydroponic system, in the long run the yield, quality, and sustainability factors  make the expense worthwhile. Other positive features include the increased shelf life, higher nutritional value, and better flavor of the produce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hydroponically Grown Produce

Hydroponic farming has been around for hundreds of years (since the hanging gardens of Babylon, in fact), but some misconceptions and confusion persist around the growing technique.

Is hydroponically grown produce organic?

Hydroponic growing uses a nutrient-rich water solution to grow instead of soil. The hydroponic growing environment is controlled from day one, so all nutrients the foods or plants absorb are completely known and regulated. We like to think hydroponic farming is even better than organic farming as it is hyperlocal, controlled and there is no room for error or unknowns.

More information on regulations can be found via OFPA Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).

Is hydroponically grown produce as nutritious as soil-grown produce?

While the nutritional quality of hydroponically grown produce depends on the nutrient solution, hydroponically grown produce can have higher nutritional value than traditionally grown produce. One study on growing tomatoes showed that when grown hydroponically, specifically in deep-water culture (DWC), the produce grown was of better quality. No nutrients are lost in hydroponic growing due to excessive transportation miles or improper storage, making them among the healthiest fresh foods available.

How does hydroponic farming impact the environment?

Using less water and natural resources, hydroponic farming is proving to be better for the environment than traditional agriculture. In addition to the absence of GMOs, pesticides and herbicides, indoor hydroponic farming requires minimal water and energy resources, eliminates food transportation miles, and produces almost zero food waste due to the quality and shelf-life of the produce.

What types of produce can be grown hydroponically?

A wide variety of produce can be grown hydroponically. This is great news for farmers and growers around the world who face challenges such as short growing seasons, harsh weather, unhealthy soil, and space constraints. Produce that can be easily grown hydroponically includes leafy greens such as spinach and arugula, herbs like parsley, and chives, as well as cherry tomatoes and mini peppers.

Is hydroponically grown produce more expensive?

The initial setup of hydroponic farming does require time and investment, but if the system is managed well, it guarantees long-term high returns. However, as hydroponics becomes more popular, we will see more competitive pricing. Higher yields, less transportation and storage costs, and increased shelf life of hydroponically-grown produce all help to keep costs down. 

What Are Common Types of Hydroponic Systems?

While every system has similar features, the framework and design of hydroponic gardens may differ. Here are a few unique mechanisms for delivering nutrients in a hydroponic system:

• Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): Using NFT, a nutrient-rich solution flows over the roots of a plant in a thin film, providing vital nutrients and oxygen. This has been used to grow lettuce, a popular plant grown using hydroponics.
• Wick System: Through the wick system, nutrients are drawn up to the plant roots from a reservoir. 
• Flood and Drain: With flood and drain (ebb and flow), a growing tray is periodically flooded with a nutrient solution. Then, the tray is drained, leaving the roots hydrated and fed. This system has been implemented to increase tomato root parameters and stem diameter.
• Drip System: A drop solution provides a stream of nutrients on the base of each plant. At Total Cantigi Farm in West Java, this technique was used to effectively grow paprika, noted as a major commodity of the area.

Explore the different types of hydroponic systems that Fork Farms sells.

Typical Results of Hydroponic Gardening

While it’s important to know that the results of hydroponically grown plants may vary, often the following rings true in a hydroponic system::

• More produce - Typically, hydroponic systems boast higher yields and faster growth rates than traditional growing methods. On average, produce grows 30-50% faster in a hydroponic farm vs. a soil garden.
• Higher quality produce - Many diseases that impact plants do so through the soil, making hydroponic systems a preferable choice since they are soil-less. In addition to better quality produce, lessening the chance of disease also decreases the amount of food waste, reduces the need for the use of any chemicals, and promotes a better growth environment. In hydroponic systems, plants receive what they would naturally get outdoors, but the grower is able to optimize and tailor to the plant's needs with the nutrient solution, which produces top-quality produce. 
• Year-round cultivation - Hydroponic systems allow for continuous growing cycles regardless of all outside elements. United Healthcare Community Plan of Missouri, for example , donated our Flex Farms to Operation Food Search to help expand their growing cycles, providing a solution for extreme weather and dry conditions. 

Getting Started with Hydroponics

Hydroponic growing has many advantages associated with it; just be sure to set up your system properly from the start. It’s important to make sure pH levels are accurate, plants are not overcrowded, and lighting and nutrients are well-managed to yield the high-quality produce you’re looking for. At Fork Farms, we offer efficient, simple, scalable hydroponic farming systems that come with ongoing support from our experienced team. Additionally, our online Farmative community provides a place for our customers to connect  and find answers to common questions. Ready to get started? Learn more about hydroponics today by contacting a team member using the form below.