Urban Farming For Home & Business -The Hydroponics Way-
When you think about home-based hydroponics, it makes so much sense!
 
It’s not complicated and once set up, all you have to do is maintain the water level, add fertilizer into the water from time to time and then just sit back and watch it grow. 
It is cost saving as you don’t have to pay top price for organic produce anymore.
Space saving too as the apparatus is vertical and in fact, a 48-pot system takes up less space than a single-door fridge!!  Just like the one shown below. 
 
Not messy as no soil is required. So you can even have it indoors provided there is adequate lighting.
Uses less (way less) water compared to traditional farming. The water is auto-irrigated and recycled and thus we are helping mother nature in conserving a precious natural resource!
Saves time too as there is no digging, weeding, shoveling etc. and your precious time can be used productively elsewhere.
 
What Kinds of Plants are Suitable for Hydroponics Farming?
 
Leafy Greens

If you are a lover of salads, this is for you as leafy greens like Pak Choy, Butter-head Lettuce, Coral Lettuce and Galaxy Lettuce are eminently suited to hydroponics farming. Generally, a complete cycle takes between 45-47 days through the following stages beginning with sowing stage to seedling to transplanting to monitoring and to harvest.

Rule of thumb: Plants to choose are typically ones with shallow root systems and plants that are known for reproducing.
 
Fruit-based

Lovely red juicy strawberries, chili, okra, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers can be grown hydroponically. Other berries like blueberries, raspberries and cranberries can also be grown but need more care. Small vine plants can also be grown this way but be prepared to set up additional structures and allocate more space.

Rule of thumb: Plants with large fruit like melons and cantaloupe can be grown hydroponically provided proper supporting structures can be set up. Avoid root vegetables like potato or tall plants like corn. Bushy plants are also not recommended as it takes up space and constant pruning. And of course, these plants take a long time to harvest unless where patience is your virtue.
 
Herbs

So many to choose from! All types of basil, parsley, coriander, chives, celery, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, dill….the list just goes on and on.

Rule of thumb: Different herbs have different conditions to cater to for optimum growth and thus adjustments have to be made.
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