10 Reasons Why You Should Be gardening with Hydroponics in 2022
Hydroponics is reported to be the future of gardening. Even NASA use hydroponics in space. Hydroponics has become popular in recent years, but why is it so popular? Our article breaks down the top ten reasons why you should be using Hydroponics in 2022.
What Is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture. It involves growing plants, usually crops, without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions in aqueous solvents. In short, you use the constant flow of an oxygenated nutrient solution to sustain and grow your plants.
There are many pure hydroponic systems available to use, such as:
1. It’s great exercise
Want a buff body but not getting the results you want in the gym? Studies by the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have shown that because gardening is lower-intensity work, we’re able to do it for longer. Over the course of a few weeks or months, the calorie burn count rapidly adds up.
2. You’ll feel amazing
For years studies have shown that actively being around fauna and flora can make for a more positive mind. This was recently proven in a study by Bristol University that found bacteria in soil and plant matter that triggers serotonin to release in the brain. This chemical helps to decrease feelings of anxiety and elevates your mood significantly.
3. No really, you’ll feel amazing
Stephen Buckley, Head of Information for mental health charity Mind, and Kathryn Rossiter, CEO of mental health charity Thrive, both agree that gardening of any sort reduces the feelings of isolation. Through nurturing plants, it’s been shown that individuals with with depression are far more capable of making active choices and will be more likely to retain the ability to go outdoors.
4. You’ll feel a part of something much bigger
Gardening in general has long since had a large, welcoming and accepting community. This can be seen in interviews conducted by Johns Hopkins University, where Growers showed incredible passion for their community. Not has it broken down a myriad of social barriers, it gave them an increased connection to nature. This has allowed them to take pride in creating fresh, organic food for the local community.
5. You’ll be far more productive
An Exeter University’s Dr Chris Knight study showed that filling the workplace with indoor plants increased productivity by 15%. The study found that plants made the office look more pleasant and helped people feel more engaged with their work. Also, having to water and tend to the plants dramatically increased their concentration while working.
6. You’ll find independence where there was none before
Even just looking outside increases your wellbeing. The University of Warwick’s research team‘s study found that being outside increased the wellbeing of older men and women. The report showed people having a more independent and optimistic outlook if they had a view of a patio or private garden.
7. Hydroponics is simple
It really is, a basic Hydroponics setup can be very cheap to set up and still highly effective. Setups like the DWC (Deep Water Culture) Hydroponics systems involve very little human interaction. The system’s produce a myriad of fruits and vegetables. As long as they’re grown right, they’ll also be tastier than anything you buy from a supermarket! After all, you grew them!
8. You’ll be much more likely to eat healthy foods
A study by the Centre for Research and Environmental Epidemiology in Barcelona taught children in 12 schools how to grow their own food. This caused a huge spike in children changing their eating habits, to eat more fruit and vegetables. On the side of this, it’s a good feeling to know that by enjoying healthy and nutrient-rich food you can reduce your carbon footprint.
9. Good health simply blooms
Japanese plot-holders have noted that having an allotment has had a huge effect on their health. They report that being outside appears to help strengthen social unity and reduce health complaints on both a physical and a mental level. The net benefits of having an allotment have been so promising that local governments are looking into creating many more allotments to help alleviate the costs of sickness in society.
10. Hydroponics has so much to offer
From a financial perspective, Hydroponics as an industry is certainly booming. This form of gardening allows you to easily maximise effectiveness just by making slight alterations to your setup or nutrients. Because there is such an overwhelming amount of support from such a passionate community, you can always get an answer to your questions at any time.
