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Sustainable agriculture has been an issue of real concern over the last years, which is why hydroponics has become a really popular trend. For those who haven’t heard of the method so far, it is a way of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions. There are many places around the world where the soil is not favourable for growing the desired crops and hydroponic systems take care of that issue. Not only that, but this method can also be used in roof top gardening, which is very popular in urban areas, as the space there is limited. Those interested in this type of agriculture or farming need to rely on certain tools and systems to be able to grow the desired crops and their first step should be investing in hydroponics kits, which can be found in specialised stores or online platforms, there being a wide range of starter kits to choose from. As mentioned above, the main advantage of hydroponic systems is that no soil is needed, therefore there is no crop limitation, which usually appears because of diseased soil, eroded soil or wrong type of soil. Not only that, but water can also be recycled, which means that these systems are advantageous in desert climates and areas that are prone to drought. Another advantage of using hydroponics is that it is more environmentally friendly than any other agricultural method, because there is no nutrition waste. This is possible due to water run-off, however the downside is that this can eventually lead to eutrophication. Because there is no soil, the plants don’t have to use too much energy finding nutrients in it and, in exchange, all this energy is invested into its growth. To that extent, the yields are more stable and grow much higher, as not only do the plants not waste energy on finding nutrients, but they neither have to compete with weed, receiving food and water straight to the roots. The soil is an environment where bacteria growth is favoured, so the absence of soil means that there are significantly less chances of disease, which is a great advantage and many people buy hydroponics kits with the conviction that their crops will grow healthier and stronger in such systems. As far as disadvantages are concerned, hydroponic systems are quite expensive to start up. The start up cost is so high due to the fact that certain equipment is required and procuring it can be expensive, even if you buy hydroponics kits online. However, the high initial cost is balanced on the long run, due to the fact that the use of advanced hydroponics is cheaper on long term. Another disadvantage, if it can be called that, is the fact that hydroponics only works with uncontaminated water, which can be really difficult to come by in some areas and regions. The bottom line is that this method of growing crops really is the future of sustainable agriculture and, although it might still have some downsides, its advantages significantly surpass them. To learn more about hydroponic systems or to find hydroponics kits, please follow these links.
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