Hydroponics is also ideal for holistic control of crop development, quality and uniformity (Ho, 2004; Gruda, 2009) and yield has been reported to be up to 20 times higher (per area) than equivalent open field systems (Jensen, 1999).
Crop Yield
We finally have a straight answer for you in the soil vs. hydro conversation. All things being equal, hydroponics have proven to be the more “productive” option in terms of yield. More specifically, growers discover faster growth in the vegetative phase when they farm using hydro methods.
For commercial growers, it's recommended to choose the hydroponics system because it is more efficient and allows for higher crop yields. However, if you are a personal grower, you may prefer soil cultivation because it is simpler and requires less equipment.
Perhaps the largest drawback for Hydroponics is the excessive amount of energy it requires for indoor operations (like vertical farming).
Enhanced plant yields: Hydroponic plants produce a greater yield of fruits and vegetables because in a hydroponic system plants are more densely spaced together compared to the size of land that would be needed to grow the same number of plants.
The yields for highly sophisticated large scale greenhouses that can do tomato growing during the entire year is 235-308 tons per acre per year, while for growers that can only do one crop a year – due to proper lack of climate/light control – the average yield per acre per year is around 50-60% of that.
75% of farms that used a combination of farming systems were not profitable, meaning it's best to stick to just one system like hydroponics. Hydroponically grown leafy greens and microgreens have the highest profit margins at 40%.
However, cons may involve higher initial setup costs, the need for technical expertise, and a reliance on artificial lighting and climate control. Also, many argue that hydroponically grown produce may lack certain flavors or nutrients compared to soil-grown crops.
Large plants, such as fruit trees (e.g., apple, pear, and citrus trees) and large shrubs (e.g., blueberries and raspberries), are generally unsuitable for hydroponic systems due to their size and long growth cycles.
The most common root disease in hydroponic systems is root rot caused by the fungal-like organism, Pythium. Other fungal diseases that are occasional problems include Fusarium root and crown rot, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia.
How Does Hydroponic Produce Taste Compared to Soil-Grown? Hydroponic produce can actually taste better than conventionally grown produce because farmers have better control over the growing environment. They can influence flavor by adding or decreasing a crop's nutrients or adjusting light levels.
How Long Does It Take Lettuce to Grow Hydroponically? One reason hydroponic lettuce is such a popular option is that most varieties grow quickly and can be harvested more than once. For most varieties, you can have fresh, healthy leaves ready to harvest within six to eight weeks.
Ultimately, both aeroponics and hydroponics give better results than soil-based growing. Aeroponics grows faster, yields more and healthier produce, and has lower ongoing running costs, while hydroponics is easier and cheaper to set up as a DIY system.
Generally, hydroponics is deemed better because it uses less water and doesn't require soil. Plus, you can grow things in less space, and the plants often grow faster because you're controlling the nutrients.
While the end results for both techniques can be the same, they mainly differ in the process of how you feed and take care of your plants. Soil growing provides the plants with nutrients through minerals in the soil, while hydroponic growing is a soil-free method that provides the nutrients in a liquid form.
Leafy greens, including lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, are excellent choices for hydroponics due to their rapid growth rates and high nutritional value.
One possible explanation for the sterility rumor is the fact that new and poorly-managed hydroponic systems can have very little microflora, leading to disease susceptibility (19). However, since this also occurs in poorly-managed soil farms, this isn't a reason to consider hydroponics different from soil farms.
There are many benefits to indoor hydroponic gardens. Growing your produce is not only healthier, it's cost-effective, efficient, and convenient.
However, hydroponic systems are fundamentally different from organic production systems as defined by federal law and therefore should not be eligible for organic certification. As isolated systems, hydroponic production does not build soil fertility, the hallmark of organic farming.
Microgreens
Unlike most other crops, microgreens are typically cultivated indoors in growing trays stacked on shelves with grow lights. As a result, microgreens are potentially the most lucrative crop per acre, they're scalable and they're also a fine choice for urban gardeners who don't have outdoor growing space.
Hydroponics uses less water than traditional soil-based systems. Hydroponic growing allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. To grow hydroponically, you need plants, a container, water, a way to anchor the plants, nutrients and a light source.