Whether you are a commercial grower
looking to expand or a flower
and plant enthusiast who
would like to bring your summer
garden indoors – The Root
in Brookfield, Illinois can help!
The Benefits of Hydroponics
Hydroponics
is an exploding industry that has yet to reach its full
potential. The use of hydroponics broadens the ability to
garden in small spaces where adequate land is scarce and
in arid or barren conditions not conducive to propagation.
Though the benefits of hydroponic gardening are numerous
and well documented, the commercial hydroponics industry
has yet to truly hit the mainstream. Part of the reason
for this is that governments worldwide continue to equate
hydroponics with marijuana and have persecuted hydroponics
companies accordingly. But as time passes, environmental
concerns and a decline in arable land will inevitably
foster a global awareness of the advantages of hydroponics
for farmers and home vegetable gardeners alike.

Hydroponics Versus Soil
Hydroponics is gardening without soil. In hydroponic
gardening systems, plants are placed in a growing medium
and nutrients are provided directly to the roots. Many
people are surprised that plants don't require soil to
live, but soil can sometimes be a very inefficient growing
medium. Plants expend a great deal of energy growing root
systems so they can search the soil for the water and
nutrients they need to survive. By providing constant and
readily available nutrition, hydroponics allows plants to
grow up to 50% faster than they do in soil.
~ Nutrients: Complete control over nutrient balance ~
No Yard Needed: Create a hydroponic garden in any indoor
space ~ Water-Saving: Hydroponic gardens use up to 2/3
less water ~Affordable: Get started on a very low
budget, and save on any size of project ~ Higher
Yields: Hydroponic gardens are far more productive for
their size ~ Better Results: Hydroponics produces
better tasting, more nutritional results ~ Year Round
Growing: With hydroponics, you control the season
~ Enjoyment: Your success is all but assured with
hydroponics ~ Relaxing: All gardeners tell you the same
thing, it is a relaxing hobby ~ Family Experience: A
great way to spend quality family time together
Environmental Benefits
One of the heralded benefits of hydroponic gardening is
how it can alleviate poverty while simultaneously easing
strains on the environment. Hydroponic gardening systems
can be set up to recycle water and nutrients, greatly
reducing the resources necessary to grow food.
Recycling hydroponic systems use as little as 10% of the
water that traditional Hydroponics and Organics Experts
requires, a tremendous benefit in areas entirely dependent
on irrigation. Hydroponic gardening virtually eliminates
the need for herbicides and pesticides, and hydroponic
gardeners need only use about 1/4 the fertilizer that
traditional gardeners require.
As the amount of arable land continues to decrease (over
10 million hectares per year are lost), another
environmental benefit of hydroponic gardening will gain
attention: Hydroponic gardens can produce the same yield
as soil gardens in about 1/5 the space. And because
artificially lit hydroponic gardens are not dependent on
growing seasons, they can produce yields several times a
year rather than just once. It has even been speculated
that in decades to come, hydroponics will become a
significant food source for over-populated urban regions,
with people growing food on rooftops or in basements.
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