If you are looking to grow your own produce with minimum hassle and little space to spare, then hydroponics is for you. From the Greek words “hydro” meaning water and “ponos”, meaning toil, hydroponics uses a system of nutrient solution to grow plants till maturity.

Regarded by many growers worldwide as the next best thing, it has gained popularity and is now being practiced commercially by most Western nations. To set up the garden you will require certain equipment. Most of this can be found at the local hardware store, garden centre and home improvement centre. Online stores and suppliers are available and getting quality hydroponics equipment online is as easy as simply Googling the term hydroponics.

In detail the equipment needed are reservoir for the nutrient solution and for holding the plants, a pump for nutrient flow, grow lights and the nutrient solution. These are the most basic and are essential to provide the plants with the basic growth factors; water, air, light and nutrients.

For the commercial grower, these will obviously have to be purchased in bulk to cater for the number of plants grown. If you are thinking to go small scale, indoor gardens do not require much space. A small room or even the window sill of your kitchen will do. As an alternative, consider purchasing a budget grow tent and keeping it in the cellar.

Grow kits for hydroponics come completely assembled and are delivered right at your doorstep. This will save you time and are more efficient. Whether as a hobby or as a serious grower, growing your own produce with hydroponics is fun and you can even involve the whole family as a project or hobby.