When we think about a thriving garden, our minds will typically come up with images of rich, dark soil which nurtures vibrant plants. It feels natural to envision plants in soil. However, did you know that you don’t actually need soil to grow beautiful plants, even in the comfort of your own home?
This may sound strange, but it is a very real and exciting way to bring greenery into your life without any mess. Gardening expert Calum Maddock at HomeHow.co.uk has created this interesting guide all about the fantastic concept of growing plants without soil. Here, you will learn the clever techniques that make it possible, understand what plants really need to thrive, and uncover why this alternative way of gardening might just be your next favourite hobby.
How to Grow Plants Without Soil
When you think about growing plants, you think about tilled soil filled with beautiful plants that are ready to bloom, but is it possible to grow plants without the need for soil? Soil seems like an important part of growing plants since it’s where the seed starts and where the roots of plants reside. However, you may be shocked to learn that it is entirely possible to grow plants above the ground without the need for any soil at all.
So, how do you grow plants without any soil at home? Plants can be grown at home using an aeroponic or aquaponic system. Here’s some information on these two growth methods:
- Aquaponics combines fish farming with plant growth. It works by placing plant roots in water that contains fish and other aquatic animal waste. This provides the plants with the nutrients they need in order to grow.
- Aeroponics gives growing plants the nutrients they need by spraying them with a nutrient-filled mist. In aeroponics, the roots of the plant dangle in the air, and they are then periodically sprayed with a specially designed misting device.
Why Plants Don’t Need Soil
It may seem a bit unnatural to grow plants without any soil. However, many people find that growing plants without soil is the best way to grow. Plants only need five major things in order to grow and survive.
The five things that are essential in order for plants to grow and survive are the following:
- Water
- Oxygen
- Light
- Support
- Food
Soil provides food and support for plants. However, as long as plants have the nutrients they need, it is entirely possible to grow them without using soil.
How Plants Can Grow Without Soil
Now we know that plants need those five essential things for growth and survival, but how exactly do you give the plants those five things without relying on soil for food and support? The answer is quite simple – hydroponics.
Hydroponics involves growing the plants by soaking their roots in nutrient-rich water.
Growing your plants in water instead of soil can actually be incredibly beneficial as it can allow you to produce plants that are free from viruses, soil-born pests, bacteria, and weeds. This results in you being able to grow much healthier plants.
There are a number of kits available that integrate water in order to grow plants easily at home without any mess. A simple search on Amazon brings up thousands of results for kits that allow you to grow plants in the comfort of your own home using water and artificial lighting. These kits are great for getting your plants to thrive and grow quickly without the need for soil.
Below, you will find a more detailed explanation of what hydroponics is, as well as some of its main benefits.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics involves growing your plants by soaking the roots in nutrient-rich water. This allows you the ability to grow more plants in a much smaller space and also in places where it otherwise couldn’t be grown.
If the plants you are growing are food, you can control the nutrients that are being taken in by the plants so that you can get food that is full of everything your body needs. It is even possible to grow plants that contain specific nutrients that adhere to specific dietary needs.
An example may be the growth of types of lettuce that have low levels of potassium for people who are suffering from kidney disease.
Hydroponic methods come in many different forms. Below are the two main hydroponic growth methods.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the merging of fish farming with hydroponics. It is a bio-integrated system which includes two main elements. These elements are:
- Hydroponics sub-system, which consists of hydroponically-grown plants
- Aquaculture sub-system, which consists of fish and other aquatic animals
The two of these components interact via the water, and that is what makes aquaponics a unique and magical way of growing plants.
Water that contains fish and other aquatic animal waste provides the plants with the nutrients they need in order to grow. The plants provide purified water to the fish by taking up any excess nitrogen. This water then goes back into the tank.
There is also a third crucial living community when it comes to an aquaponics system. This is a microbial community. The beneficial nitrifying bacteria are most often contained within a suitable biofilter.
An aquaponic system is great because it combines two different living communities, which are self-sustaining and offer diverse animal and plant produce, which can be extremely enjoyable.
Aeroponics
Aeroponic systems give growing plants the nutrients they need by spraying them with a nutrient-filled mist. Aeroponics allows the roots of the plant to dangle in the air, and they are then periodically sprayed with a specially designed misting device.
In an aeroponic system, the seed of the plant is planted inside pieces of foam that are stuffed into small pots. These small pots are exposed to light on one side of them and mist on the other side. The foam also acts as security to hold the stem and roots in place as the plants get bigger.
Aeroponics systems must have an enclosure that holds humidity in and prevents any light from reaching the roots. It also must have a separate tank that holds the nutrient solution. There are also a few other things that must be considered when it comes to devising an aeroponic system to suit your specific needs.
Many aeroponics systems are designed to be used horizontally. However, vertical planting beds are becoming increasingly popular as they’re a great space saver. Vertical options are also a popular choice because the misting machines can be placed at the top, and gravity works to ensure every plant is covered.
Benefits of Growing Plants Without Soil
Below is a list of the main benefits of growing plants without soil:
- The plants are provided with everything they need in a contained system, so this means you can make good use of your space and location.
- You have total control over the climate, light intensity, composition of the air, and temperature. This means that you can grow all year round, regardless of the season.
- Plants grown hydroponically use only around 10% of the water that field-grown plants use. So, growing plants hydroponically saves a lot of water.
- You have complete control over the nutrients that go into the plants
- All of the nutrients are contained in the water, so you can adjust the PH levels of your water mixture. This is a lot easier than changing the PH level of the soil
- Plants grow much more quickly hydroponically than if they were grown in soil
- Growing hydroponically eliminates the possibility of weeds
- Hydroponically grown plants are less prone to pests and diseases
- As no soils are involved, fewer chemicals, such as pesticides, are needed
- It’s a great stress-relieving hobby
Final Thoughts
There are many great benefits to growing plants without soil at home, and it makes a great hobby for those who are interested in growing plants at home. Hydroponics can make some great nutritious fruits and vegetables due to the nature of growth and the fact that you can control the nutrients in the plants.
If you’re interested in growing plants from home, hydroponics is definitely the way to go!