Specialist in Soil Management

Figure 1. This typical hydroponic pot contains gravel and fits into the larger pot, which contains the solution. Hydroponics is the culture of plants in nutrient solutions. Controlled applications of a properly balanced, diluted nutrient solution are made at.re'gular intervals to meet plant needs for nutrients and water.. This · results in uniformly high-quality:produce-in taste, appearance, and · nutritional content. The United States ' Armed:Services use hydroponic gardens to pr<ilVide fresh produce on isolated islands. Hydroponics. is suitable for use by home owners and amateJ~r gardeners as. well as commer cial growers. It is an interesting and rewarding hobby or occupation. WHERE TO USE HYDROPONICS Hydroponics allows for crop production where good soil is unavailable, maintenance of favorable soil conditions is too expensive, or cultivation of I Figure 2. In this large-scale hydroponic operation, tomato plants in long, narrow beds are supported with twine strung from a wood en frame at each end of the bed. high-value crops out of season is desired.. The hydroponic installation may be placed on any suitable site without regard to soil. fertility. Hydroponics may be used where adequate supplies of good water are available but where so.il is not available-in apartments, for example. Hydroponics may be used where soilborne diseases may be transmitted to humans from soil-grown crops. It also proviq,es physical and occupational therapy for those who are handicapped. Hydroponic installation may be small, simple, and inexpensive to large, elaborate, and expensiv