Is Hydroponics Better Than Soil? Hydroponics vs. Traditional Farming

Hydroponics has gained massive popularity in recent times and for good reason. Some things that have increased its popularity are that it can be set up indoors and has less maintenance than traditional farming owing to the automatic watering and fertilization system. But is hydroponics better than soil?

Some of the disadvantages of the system are the high installation costs and that the system may be affected by errors such as power outages or miscalculations of the nutrient solution which can affect the whole yield.

If you are wondering if hydroponics is better than soil farming, this article will answer all your questions and share seven differences between hydroponics and traditional farming.

What Is a Hydroponic System?

Hydroponics is a growing system where plants grow in an enriched water solution without soil. The roots of the plants are suspended in the water solution with all the nutrients the plant needs to grow.

The plants are grown indoors using grow lights or placed where there’s sunlight. Some of the best plants to grow hydroponically include lettuce, basil, mustard greens, oregano, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, and watercress.

So, what is the best home hydroponic system for beginners? Some of the top 5 hydroponic systems include the drip system, deep water culture, the wick system, the nutrient film technique, and the ebb and flow method. These systems make it possible to grow plants all year long and are not affected by the seasons, climate, location, and weather conditions.

Read this article for an in-depth guide about each of the hydroponics systems.

How Does A Hydroponic System Work?

Hydroponics grows in a high nutrient solution that contains all the essential nutrients for the growth of healthy plants. It allows you to control the growth conditions such as PH and temperature to maximize growth.

The hydroponics system makes it possible to grow more plants in a small space. Also needs less maintenance unlike traditional gardening where you need to water the plants and do weeding or pruning.

Moreover, hydroponics grows faster than the same plants grown in soil because you can add and control the nutrient levels in the water solution. Furthermore, plants grown in soil are more exposed to pests and diseases than hydroponics which may reduce the yield.

Is Hydroponics Better Than Soil? 7 Comparison of Hydroponics vs. Traditional Farming

We’ve seen how the hydroponics system works and some of the benefits of hydroponic farming. But is hydroponics better than soil? Let’s look at how traditional farming compares to hydroponics.

1. Space

Hydroponics requires less space because you can use vertical gardening techniques and stack plants in towers. This makes it possible to grow more plants in a small space. On the other hand, you need adequate land to do traditional farming because plants grow horizontally

2. Impact on the environment

Traditional farming may cause more harm than good to the soil and cause pollution or soil erosion when not done properly. So is hydroponics better for the environment?

The hydroponic system is more sustainable and makes it possible to grow food without affecting the environment. There is less need for chemical fertilizers and the systems don’t cause soil degradation because it is not reliant on soil.

3. Crop yield and variety

Hydroponics have higher yields than traditional farming because you can control the conditions such as PH, temperature, and nutrient content in the water. Hydroponic plants are grown indoors in controlled environments and readily available nutrients which results in high yield.

On the other hand, plants grown on soil have to expand their roots to get nutrients from the soil and if it is not well enriched then the yield will be less. The only advantage of traditional farming here is that it is possible to grow all types of crops in soil but some plants such as peanuts and potatoes may not grow hydroponically.

4. Effect of climate, season, and the weather

Plants grown in soil outdoors are more likely to be affected by the changes in weather or climate. During winter, it is not feasible to do traditional farming.

On the other hand, hydroponics systems are not affected by the climate or seasons and you grow plants all year long because you can control the conditions indoors.

5. Use of resources

Hydroponics uses less water because the systems are water efficient and allow recycling. However, they tend to use too much energy depending on the hydroponic system you choose to run the operations. Moreover, they may be affected by power outages.

Traditional farming relies heavily on watering and may use more water than hydroponics. The only advantage is that during rainy seasons the plants grown in a traditional garden may get adequate water and require less energy to pump water to the field.

6. Ease of setup for beginners

Traditional farming makes it easy for beginners to start and grow plants. All you need is land space, farming equipment, seeds, and water to start, and doesn’t have a steep learning curve.

For hydroponics, you need to have skills to set up the system or have adequate capital to buy the equipment, and nutrient solutions and hire a professional to set up the system. This may be labor intensive and difficult for a person starting gardening on a low budget.

7. Cost

So, how much does it cost to run a hydroponic system? Is hydroponics cheaper than traditional farming? The truth is that hydroponics systems have a high initial cuss because you need to buy and set them up. However, it has low maintenance costs once you have the system set up.

As for traditional farming, it is less expensive and needs a low initial investment. However, you may have high maintenance costs such as water bills, setting up a drip irrigation system, buying fertilizer every so often, and other costs.

FAQs

• Is it better to grow hydroponically or in soil?

Both hydroponics and traditional farming are great for growing plants. However, hydroponics growing systems can house more plants in a small space and plants grow faster than those grown in soil.

• What are the disadvantages of hydroponics?

Some of the major disadvantages of hydroponics are that it is expensive to install and that a small error can affect the yield of the whole growing system. Therefore, it needs extra caution and management than traditional farming.

• Do plants grow faster in hydroponics or soil?

Hydroponic plants grow faster because they have a controlled nutrient system which ensures higher yields. On the other hand, plants grown in soil may lack some nutrients if the soil is not enriched therefore growing slower.

• Do hydroponic plants taste different?

Hydroponic plants taste better than plants grown traditionally because you can adjust the nutrient levels hence adjusting the flavors.

• Which method of hydroponics is best for growing plants?

Some of the top hydroponics systems for growing plants include the drip system, wick system,  deep water culture, ebb and flow method, and the nutrient film technique

Final Thoughts

Is hydroponics better than soil? Hydroponics is better than soil farming if you have limited space and want to grow many plants. Furthermore, it guarantees higher yield because you can control conditions such as PH, nutrients, light, and temperature. However, you can go for traditional farming if you have adequate space and don’t have the expertise, equipment, budget, and expertise to set up a hydroponic system. Which one will you go for hydroponics or traditional farming? Let us know in the comments below.

Read Next:

• What is the Best Nutrition for Hydroponic Plants?
• How to Transfer Hydroponic Plants to Soil
• 6 Best Hydroponics Systems for Urban Gardening