Hydroponic or Organic?

Hydroponic:

  1. Hydroponics feed the plants directly.
  2. Hydroponics uses clean water.
  3. Plants use less energy to find the nutrients as they are dissolved in water that is fed directly to the roots.
  4. Hydroponics uses approximately 1/10 of the amount of water that traditional soil growing uses.
  5. Soil quality is not a factor as there is no soil involved.
  6. Hydroponic vegetables are gown in a controlled environment.
  7. Hydroponic produce is clean because it does not come in contact with soil.

Organic:

  1. Organics feed the soil.
  2. Organics use rain water and other available irrigation water.
  3. Plants must spend more of their energy creating root mass to search out the necessary nutrients in the soil.
  4. Organic production requires more water because much of it leaches away down into the soil.
  5. Soil quality is very important to plant growth.
  6. The organic environment is dependent on the weather (rain, wind storms, etc).
  7. Organic produce can have soil or animal residue on it, from the environment and should be washed

The debate can continue as long as there are farmers, regardless of the growing method. For those of us who do not want to eat vegetables that are coated with pesticides, there are few choices. No matter the growing method, we know that clean food is better food. The search for safe, nutritious food needs to start outside your own front door. The best way to know if “organically grown” produce or any produce is clean and safe, is to know your farmer. We cannot be sure of the safety of either organic or hydroponic vegetables that are grown in foreign countries, and what sprays or contamination may be on them. Buying food from a local farmer is the final answer to eating the best and safest possible produce.

Source: Crop King 2018 Catalog