Gardening is usually thought of as happening in two dimensions - flat on the ground. There is, however the ability to grow plants in the third dimension - vertically. This is particularly useful in the field of hydroponics gardening.
Many hydroponics systems are based on circulating nutrient solution between adjacent plants, and growing them above one another provides not only a practical extension, but a space-saving one as well.
What is a Vertical Hydroponics Garden?
If you were to plant some strawberries in pots, empty plastic bottles, or some other similar container, using some sort of hydroponic substrate such as expanded clay or Rockwool, then position these vertically above one another and pass some hydroponic nutrients from the top plant down to the bottom one, you would have yourself a vertical hydroponics garden. It's not only strawberries that could be planted in such a system, but essentially any plant for which the container would be large enough to contain and support the root system. Typical plants that are grown in vertical hydroponics systems include strawberries, many different types of herbs such as basil, dill, parsley, thyme, and mint, as well as mini tomatoes and mini peppers. It is also feasible to grow larger plants such as pumpkins and gherkins in vertical gardens, although this would take some attention to the runners!
Why Drip Systems Work Well
Because of the vertical positioning of plants in these hydroponics setups, vertical systems are typically based on the drip system of hydroponics, where hydroponic nutrients is pumped up to the top-most plant and allowed to drip continuously. The nutrients feed the plant and passes down to the plant beneath it, feeding it as well. The nutrients continues dripping onto all of the plants in turn, finally ending up in a reservoir beneath the bottom plant, from where it is recycled and pumped back up to the top again. The recycling of water and nutrients in this way means that vertical hydroponics gardens require very little water compared to traditional soil gardens, and they are very much self-sustaining.
Buy Kits For a Quick Solution
The popularity of vertical hydroponics has grown so much that it is possible to purchase kit systems to assemble all manners of vertical gardens. These gardens can be positioned in an absolutely huge variety of spaces. Putting vertical gardens within windows is particularly popular, as in this way they take up unused space and have access to sunlight throughout the day. They are also popular on walls, and have even been used on the sides of city buildings.
There are farms that have converted their entire growing systems to the use of vertical hydroponics systems. They are able to generate vastly bigger crops than what would be possible with traditional soil gardening, as then are not only utilizing the benefit of being able to grow plants in close horizontal proximity with hydroponics methods, but have enhanced this by growing them vertically as well.
Utilize All 3 Dimensions
Vertical hydroponics provides gardeners with the ability to utilize all three dimensions of space to grow plants and maximize crop yields. Although any type of hydroponics system could theoretically be converted into a vertical garden, it is the drip systems that are most suited to this method of gardening. Any plant with a root system that can be held by the containers of the vertical garden could be grown, and the whole system can be installed in a place that is normally under-utilized, such as within windows and on walls.
For more information about hydroponics, visit Hydroponics Habitat.com.
There are over 100 articles about vertical hydroponics, other hydroponics methods, and much more related information.
No comments:
Post a Comment