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With the lack of land space, gardening in urban areas can be quite challenging. But thanks to recent technological advancements, growing plants in the smallest spaces in the city is now possible. Urban gardening started to flourish because of its many advantages.
Aside from increasing food security, urban gardening is also good for the health and environment. You can even grow your urban garden vertically without using soil through innovative methods like aeroponics.
Yes, you heard it right! This article will walk you through the basics of aeroponics for starting your urban garden in that tiny corner of your home.
What is Aeroponics?
Aeroponics is a gardening method that doesn’t use soil for growing plants. This system applies the same concept as hydroponics. Only hydroponics uses water as a growing medium, while aeroponics uses none. In aeroponics, the plant’s roots are hung mid-air in partly sealed containers. These will be sprayed regularly with a nutrient-infused solution to help the plants grow healthy.
How Does an Aeroponic System Work?
An aeroponic system primarily works on a perforated platform or tower. Seedlings are planted in the perforations, with the seedlings’ roots contained within a root chamber. The root chamber also holds a series of mist nozzles. These specially designed sprinklers spray nutrient-infused solution from a reservoir to the roots.
Components of an Aeroponic System
Whether you’re opting to buy or build by yourself, your aeroponic system must have these components:
- Grow trays, baskets, or hanging pots to hold the suspended plants
- Reservoir for the aeroponic nutrient solution dissolved in water to be sprayed on the plants
- Nutrient pump for powering the aeroponic nutrient flow system
- Mist nozzles to spray the aeroponic nutrient solution
- Grow lights to provide UV light for indoor plants
- Cycle timer for switching the nutrient pump on or off
Benefits of Aeroponics
With roots hanging off the ground, plants grown through aeroponics reap the following benefits:
- Increased health and growth from direct and constant exposure to oxygen
- Reduced risks of getting pests and diseases
- Maximum nutrient absorption without having to compete with other plants or organisms in the soil
- Reduced water and fertilizer usage with controlled spraying of nutrient mist
- Occupies less space
- Easy to move, replace, and maintain
Depending on your circumstances, you may find aeroponics to be unsuitable for you with its minimal causes:
- The constant need for supervision of a system comprising mist nozzles and pumps can be difficult for beginners
- Susceptible to power outages with the system needing to run round-the-clock
- Higher upfront costs than traditional gardening methods
Plants You Can Grow With Aeroponics
You can successfully grow various plants and crops indoors or outdoors with an aeroponic gardening system. Here are some of the best examples:
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as lettuce and kale are typically grown in aeroponic gardens. Since they are sensitive to temperature changes, they grow better indoors.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow well in an aeroponic system. They need regular pruning to maximize their exposure to sunlight. It also helps them pass nutrients to the fruits, not just the leaves.
Cucumbers
As long as you provide a trellis for their vines to cling to, you can effectively grow cucumbers with aeroponics.
Strawberries
An aeroponic system allows you to grow seasonal fruiting crops like strawberries year-round.
Root crops
Different root vegetables like carrots and radishes can grow with aeroponics. Because of their root system, they will need a larger space to thrive.
Herbs
Most herbs, including basil, thyme, and parsley, make excellent additions to your aeroponic herb garden. They grow easily in an aeroponic system since they don’t need much tending.
Consider Aeroponics for your Urban Garden
Despite its drawbacks, aeroponics’ benefits are still worth considering. With an aeroponic garden, you get a piece of greenery in your city home’s small space. Aside from that, it also provides opportunities for growing fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
