Hydroponics is a new agricultural or gardening technique that many still find risky to try. Hence, in an effort to help everyone, here are some general guidelines regarding both hydroponics and soil techniques. Many are interested in a debate on hydroponics versus soil culture, but I clearly point out that the two are not opposing each other. What we have to do is to appreciate both methods and weigh the pros and cons in specific day-to-day examples that we run into. There are major difficulties in implementing either hydroponics or soil techniques depending on the type of area devoted to agriculture.



A brief description of hydroponics and soil methods

If we are to objectively describe the pros of hydroponics or soil, then I will start saying that the most important advantage of hydroponics over traditional soil crops is that there is no soil dependence, plants can be cultivated as easily everywhere with the help of nutrient solution.

Another advantage lies in the absence of any plant diseases. Most of them are caused by the soil parasites that can be eliminated only through severe chemical treatment that no one loves. Also hydroponics offer a faster plant growth, it doesn't need too much space because the root is smaller than normal. Plant support and nutrient processing is being assured by the system, practically the plant only grows up. Furthermore, a very small quantity of water is needed, less than 10% of what a classical culture would consume.

To be fair in the hydroponics or soil dispute I will describe the main advantages of traditional agriculture or gardening. In the first place whatever the new ideologists think, most of the farmers feel more confident in soil cultures because they are not so dependent on power supply, they are simply as some say in God's hands, you don't need a timer to control a pump that will control the nutriments that flow to the plant roots. As it can be observed the chain is quite long and it may also seem quite weak.

Plants are naturally growing on the soil, so putting them in small boxes with some solution over their roots doesn't seem too natural for most people. The biggest advantage for traditional agriculture and gardening is that it is very cheap, easy to do and you don't have to be a scientist to know how to grow your vegetables.

A brief conclusion

The fact is that both methods are very good in their application to real situations, the small dispute between hydroponics or soil fans is not grounded because the traditional method is good in most cases and the hydroponic alternative works well, with higher costs, but at great standards.

Hydroponics has no chance of being more successful than traditional agriculture in rich-soil areas. But in those parts of the world where nothing grows because of harsh weather conditions, it is the only solution to grow fresh plants.