9 Powerful Benefits of Hydroponics for Urban Farming

Are you tired of lugging bags of soil up to your tiny apartment balcony, only to have your tomatoes wilt in the summer heat? 

Have you ever dreamt of having a farm-to-table dinner party, but your ''farm'' is just a few pots on your windowsill? Well, hydroponics might be the answer to all your urban farming woes.

Simply put, hydroponics is like magic for plants - it involves growing them in a controlled environment using a nutrient-rich water solution, bypassing the need for soil entirely. 

This means you can say goodbye to dirty hands and hello to fresh, homegrown produce all year round. In this article, we'll delve into the world of hydroponics to see some of its benefits for urban farming and how it can bring the farm to your own backyard ( or at least, to your living room ). 

What is Urban Farming?

Urban farming is the act of growing food within a city or urban area, using small-scale farming techniques. It can take many shapes and forms, such as rooftop gardens, community plots, and even vertical farming in high-rise buildings.

People engage in urban farming for a variety of reasons, like personal consumption, income, and community benefit.

Its main goal is to increase access to fresh, healthy produce in cities and to reduce the distance between where food is grown and consumed, ultimately promoting sustainability. 

Additionally, urban farming can strengthen communities and foster social connections, as it often involves shared spaces and collaborative efforts. 

How Hydroponics Work

The working principle of hydroponics is simple: It involves the use of a water pump to pump nutrient solution from a reservoir to the plant roots which is supported by a growing medium placed in a net cup. 

An air pump is usually placed inside the reservoir to aerate the solution so as to provide oxygen-rich nutrients to the plant roots. 

The pH of the water and the EC level is also placed into high consideration when making or preparing your nutrient solution. 

There are various types of hydroponic systems available to suit your urban growing needs, some of these include NFT, ebb and flow, drip irrigation hydroponics and hydroponic tower systems. If you are new to hydroponics, read here.

Benefits of Hydroponics for Urban Farming

There're lots of benefits growers derive from farming in an urban setting using hydroponic method. Some of these benefits are discussed below.

1. No Need for Outdoor Space or Soil

Hydroponics is a fantastic option for urban farming because it doesn't require a ton of outdoor space. You can set up a hydroponic system in your home, apartment, or even a warehouse or greenhouse. 

So whether you live in a high-rise or a crowded city, you can still get your green thumb fixed. And the best part? 

You don't have to worry about weeds or pests ruining your plants because you have complete control over the growing conditions.

Plus, you'll probably end up with higher crop yields. It's a win-win-win. So go ahead and give hydroponics a try- your taste buds ( and your plants ) will thank you. 

2. Ability to Grow Year-Round

Hydroponics: It's like soil-based farming, but with the added bonus of being able to grow plants all year round. 

No matter what the weather is like outside, you can create the perfect environment for your plants to thrive. 

It's like having your own personal greenhouse. without all the hassle of maintaining one. Plus, you can do it in a small space or even indoors, making it perfect for urban farming.

And let's be real, who doesn't love higher crop yield? With hydroponics, you're likely to get just that. So go ahead and give hydroponics a try- you'll be amazed at what you can grow, no matter what the season. 

3. Increased Control Over Growing Conditions 

One of the best things about hydroponics is that you have total control over the growing conditions.  You can customize the nutrient solutions to give your plants exactly what they need, and you can keep a close eye on them to make sure they're healthy and happy.

And let's be real, who doesn't love the satisfaction of keeping pest and diseases at bay? With hydroponics, you can do just that. 

So if you want to feel like a plant parenting pro, give hydroponics a try- your plants will surely thank you. 

4. Higher Crop Yields

One of the best things about hydroponics is that you're likely to get higher crop yields. Because the plants are grown in a controlled environment and receive a customized nutrient solution, they can grow faster and more efficiently. 

Let's be real, who doesn't love the satisfaction of a bumper crop? With hydroponics, you're more likely to get just that. 

Plus, you can pack more plants into a smaller space, so you can maximize your yield and feel like a farming pro. So go ahead and give hydroponics a try- but don't let your neighbors get too envious of your bumper harvest. 

5. Water Conservation 

Water conservation is a serious business, but that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun with it. And when it comes to urban farming, hydroponics is like the ultimate water-saving superhero. 

With traditional soil-based farming, a lot of water goes down the drain (literally). But with hydroponics, the water is recycled and reused like a boss.  

It's like having your own personal water recycling plant, without all the hassle of actually building one. And let's be real, who doesn't love saving money? 

By using less water with hydroponics, you'll be saving cash on your water bills and reducing your environmental impact. It's like a two-for-one deal!

In addition to being a water-saving champ, hydroponics also allows farmers to optimize the water usage for their plants, making sure they're getting just the right amount of water at the right time. 

So if you're looking to reduce your water usage and make your plants happy, give hydroponics a try, your plants ( and wallet ) will thank you.

6. Reduced Need For Pesticides and Herbicides

Another powerful benefit of hydroponics for urban farming is the reduced need for pesticides and herbicides. Because the plants are grown in a controlled environment, it will be impossible for weeds to form inside your hydroponic system. 

This means they will be no other unwanted plants trying to compete with your plants for nutrients, space and light. 

This will give your plants the needed space to grow optimally as they're totally free of competition from weeds. 

Meaning you don't have to worry about buying expensive herbicides which may even end up causing damage to the plants. 

Another great benefits is the reduced risk of pest infestations. Although you might occasionally see some pests such as spider mites or aphids which are particularly pests of fruits such as strawberry, they're generally not going to appear in your hydroponic farm in must cases especially when you keep your environment clean and tidy.

So if you're tired of wrestling with pests and weeds in your soil-based garden, this might be the right time to switch to hydroponics to enjoy a weed and pest free gardening all year round in your backyard or living room.

7. Space Efficiency 

The most essential aspect of urban farming is knowing how to utilize limited space for maximum crop production. 

Hydroponics offers a viable solution to ensure that you get enough produce off your limited planting space. 

In comparison to conventional soil-based farming, traditional farming has a limited crop yield per square foot of land. 

But with hydroponics, growers can achieve a higher crop yield square foot of land by stacking multiple layers of plant in a hydroponic system or using vertical hydroponic farming method. 

The space efficiency of hydroponics is a major benefit for urban farmers looking to optimize their crop yields within a confined area.

 If you're interested in urban farming and you  want to make the most of your space, hydroponics is worth considering as it presents a unique and effective method of space utilization. 

8. Cost Efficiency 

When it comes to urban farming, cost-effectiveness is key and hydroponics is like the ultimate budget-saving wizard.

One of the major advantages of hydroponics is the reduced expenditure for water, which can significantly lower production costs. With a hydroponic system, water is recycled and reused, reducing the amount of water needed to grow crops.

Another cost-saving benefit of hydroponics is the reduced need for pesticides and herbicides. The controlled environment of a hydroponic system can deter pests and infestations, meaning less need for harsh chemicals, it's like having your own personal security guard for your plants.

Overall. hydroponics offers a financially savvy solution for urban farmers looking to keep expenses low and increase profits. 

It is a great alternative for those who want to make the most out of their resources while growing their own food in an urban setting. 

9. Improved Food Security

Hydroponic farming in an urban area has the capacity not only to produce healthy and fresh vegetables  or fruits but also to produce crops in a large scale. 

At a time when the world is experiencing a lot of economic turmoil, food scarcity has become a major issue for countries all over the world.

Hydroponics therefore offers a viable opportunity for farmers to produce enough crops to meet global demands. Also, growing your own food in your own home can also ensure food security. 

This means that you don't need to visit the grocery store before you fill your kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Hydroponic farming in an urban setting can greatly improve food availability in the society tremendously if enough people decide to get involved. 

Final Word

The importance of using hydroponic as an alternative method of farming in an urban setting can not be overemphasized. Hydroponics has numerous benefits when used as a farming method. 

Like the benefits discussed above, using hydroponic system to scale up your farm activities can be very effective especially if you're trying to conserve space in your home but wants high yield from your crops.

If you're new to hydroponics or deciding if you should adopt this farming method, from these 9 powerful benefits of hydroponics for urban farming, I believe you can now make an informed decision and join the community of hydroponic growers world wide, no matter the size or location of your home, there're different hydroponic systems available to meet your needs. Try out hydroponic today, and I bet you will thank me later!