Frequently Asked Questions

As defined by the National Agricultural Library : 

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. Hydroponic production systems are used by small farmers, hobbyists, and commercial enterprises. 

Vertical farming is exactly what it sounds like: faming on vertical surfaces rather than traditional, horizontal agriculture. By using vertically stacked layers, farmers can produce much more food on the same amount of land (or even less).

Often these layers are integrated into buildings such as skyscrapers, housed in warehouses or shipping containers, garages, or placed in spaces that would otherwise be unfit for farming.

1. Needs No Soil: The first and most clear benefit of hydroponics is that this growing method needs no soil. Land degradation is a serious problem facing agriculture and the world today. As soil degrades, it becomes more and more difficult to farm in it.  

2. Conserves Water: Water conservation is a primary concern in today’s world. It may seem counterintuitive to replace soil with water in a hydroponic system. In reality, such a system uses far less water than traditional, soil-based growing methods because the water used can be recycled repeatedly. 

3. Facilitates a Micro-Climate: Technology in a hydroponic greenhouse allows growers to create the perfect conditions for each crop. Appropriate climate control in an enclosed system allows growers to program ideal micro-climates around each type of crop they grow.  

4. Predictability and Seaonality:  

Most crops only grow in certain climates and during specific seasons. When people want summer crops in the dead of winter, grocers import them from other parts of the world. This contributes to the greenhouse gas crisis in transit. 

Another issue revolves around predictability. So many factors contribute to crop yield. An early frost, drought, flood, or storm can destroy an entire field of crops and there is often nothing the farmer can do to stop it. 

Indoor hydroponic farms allow growers to harvest predictable yields year-round. These crops grow all year long, regardless of weather or climate. And since they’re protected from problems that can cause crop failure, the yields are far more predictable.

5. Crops Grow Faster: One promising development in hydroponic technology is the ability to harvest crops faster than in other methods. When each plant has optimal growing conditions, crops can grow faster and larger. 

6. Maximizes Space: For urban growers, hydroponic vertical farming is an excellent choice. By stacking plants vertically, you can grow more at one time in the same amount of space. When you add in the faster growing time of hydroponic plants, this is an exceptional way to maximize the space you have.  

7. Hyperlocal Food: Urban growers can grow healthy, organic food right in your community. The food doesn't sit in the back of a truck for days, sometimes weeks before it arrives on your plate.  

Hydroponics is safe for production and human consumption. GCFS follows best practices for proper management of nutrient solutions. Concerns about the safety of nutrients used in hydroponics for human consumption are common but generally unfounded. 

Moreover, a hydroponic system feeds nutrients straight to your plants without the need for nutrient-rich soil. While traditional soil is an efficient source of nutrients, it’s also an abundant source of pests, soil-borne disease, and potentially harmful temperature fluctuations. And you often have to apply harsh pesticides just to ensure an abundant harvest.

With a hydroponic solution, all you need are the water and the nutrients. It’s a much easier and cleaner solution, and you don’t have to worry about any foreign contaminants invading your food supply or immediate environment.