Plants do not need soil to grow. Plants can grow in many different media, including nutrient-rich water, peat- or bark-based growing mixes.

Hydroponics knowledge is ancient (think of the hanging Gardens of Babylon and The Floating Gardens of China), but there is a resurgence of interest today for hobbyists and commercial growers alike. It is a fun hobby for some, but the economic impact hydroponics can make is of greatest importance.
Reasons many choose hydroponic gardening:

* No weeds
* Fewer pests
* Fewer plant diseases
* Healthy, vigorous plants
* Faster maturing plants
* Yield earlier harvests
* Can grow plants year round
* Can grow indoors
* No fertilizer or pesticide runoff
* Conserves land, space, and water. Hydroponics also conserves greenhouse space for those who use greenhouses.
* Can be used in areas otherwise inhospitable to most plants, such as a hot, dry desert

Plant requirements are nutrients, water, air and sunlight (or some sort of light – see below for indoor gardening). When plants grow in the soil, they obtain nutrients and water through the soil. When plants grow in water or a soil less medium, you must add the nutrients in a steady diet to the plants.
You can even automate your hydroponics system with timers, further reducing the time spent on gardening. Today, hydroponic gardening kits and supplies are available online, with the systems ranging from small to elaborate.

The advantages of hydroponics for challenged land areas can be readily apparent: Through the use of hydroponic systems, a desert can produce as much food as any other place since precise water and nutrient application directly to the roots of plants conserves water and still allows the plants to thrive.

Indoor hydroponic gardening: You must provide adequate light and good air circulation for indoor gardening. Indoor hydroponics units often incorporate a small fan to circulate the air. Good air circulation allows photosynthesis to occur and also prevents fungus.
Indoor light sources:

* metal halide lamps
* sodium vapor lamps
* gro-lights
* fluorescent lights and incandescent light bulbs
* Natural sunlight from a South-facing window

About nutrient solutions:

There are 13 elements necessary for plant growth (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, boron, copper, zinc, molybdenum and chlorine).

You will need a fertilizer or solution that is specially formulated for hydroponic gardening. You cannot use the fertilizers that are geared to amending the soil because they do not contain all the necessary nutrients. Ready-made solutions are easily purchased at hydroponics or organic gardening supply stores.

The most economical and fastest way to access information on starting your own herb garden is by using the Internet. Thousands of websites are dedicated to the ins and outs of cultivating herbs in your garden. They offer invaluable insights into the characteristics of each type of herb, how to avoid certain pitfalls, how to treat certain diseases, the optimum weather conditions and soil mixture to yield a good crop and how to fend off garden pests such as snails, slugs and insects that impact the health of these plants.

You can also invest in a create-your-own-herb-garden kit. They are widely available at garden centers, all ready to be used both indoors and outdoors. All the compost is mixed for you and all you need to do is follow the instructions, sow the seeds and watch the herb grow, simple and easy. Some herbs grow all year round while others thrive during certain months of the year and require constant sunshine and watering. When the herbs have hardened in the pot or container you can then transfer them into your garden.

It is worthwhile reading up on the different herbs on things such as their growth rate, their maximum height and spread and the type of soil that is needed to promote growth prior to creating your herb garden. Some mature herbs can grow into a large tall bush which means you will need to allocate enough space for it to grow in while others such as mint leaves spread like wild fire and would benefit from growing in a pot rather than letting it run free in the garden and overtaking patches that are reserved for other herbs. No longer are herbs home grown just to add extra flavor to cooking, they are also popular in alternative medicinal purposes. Many now swear by the benefits and healing powers of herbs to treat illnesses such as the cold, headaches and pains.

Do not rush it, take your time to research the plethora of herbs and find those that are suitable to grow in your garden and use the Internet to exchange tips with other fellow herb garden enthusiasts.

There are three important steps that need to be taken in order to create a successful container garden:
• Selecting the pots

• Getting the proper planting medium

• Choosing the plants

In each of these steps, the key is to create a healthy environment for the plant roots to grow in. Water must be able to pass quickly through the soil to have a healthy root system. As water drains out of the soil it is replaced by air, and an exchange of carbon dioxide is made with the plant roots. This movement of air and water is essential to maintaining healthy plants.

Here are a few tips to help you choose from the wide array of available pots, boxes, and troughs:

• Choose the spot for your garden first, then you
can find a container suitable for it. For example,
a country style wooden trough would not be
suitable for a modern balcony. Neither would
classic urn-shaped pots be suitable for a country
style garden. And of course you need to pay
attention to size and proportion issues.

• You should carefully consider the weight of the
container, both empty and filled with wet soil and
your plants. If your outdoor space is frequented
by strong prevailing breezes, the container must
be heavy enough to keep it from blowing over.

Additionally, the structure that you place the
container on must be able to support it. A large
concrete trough wouldn’t be suitable for a wooden
porch or balcony, and a six foot wooden trough
would need a super strong ledge if you wanted
to use it as a window box.

• Clay pots are attractive and make an excellent
choice for a wide range of flowering plants and
foliage. They’re the traditional potting container
because they drain well and they wick moisture
through their sides. This ensures a drier root
environment which helps prevent root diseases.
But it also means you’ll need to water more often.
If you tend to underwater your plants, only
drought tolerant plants should be used in terra
cotta pots.

Remember that clay pots can be pretty heavy. They
also must be protected in colder climates during the
winter months in order to prevent cracking.

A glazed clay container is non-porous which creates
a moisture barrier. Since this will prevent the root
system from breathing, glazed pots are best used
with a regular terra cotta pot placed inside of them.

• Plastic pots are inexpensive, lightweight and very
functional. They’re also available in a wide variety of
sizes, shapes, and colors. If you don’t like the look of
plastic, you can simply apply a faux finish or slip the
plastic pots inside other more attractive containers.

With the proper soil mixture and regular watering,
plants do very well in plastic pots. Plastic pots make
a better choice than terra cotta if you tend to
underwater your plants, but they may need to be
weighted down to keep them in place on windy days.

• Wood containers look very good in country
environments, and most plants will do well in
them. Wood allows water to drain better than
plastic, but it doesn’t have the wicking advantage
of clay. And wood containers can be pretty heavy
when planted.

Select containers made of cedar, redwood, or
cypress because these woods are less susceptible
to rot over time. Lining wood containers with
heavy duty plastic provides added protection from
moisture, but be sure to provide proper drainage.

• Metal containers make an excellent choice for use
in modern settings. Galvanized containers are very
good for planting because they won’t leach any
chemicals or rust into the soil. Unless the container
was originally designed to be used as a planter,
you’ll need to drill drainage holes in the bottom of
it.

• “Found” items can add a bit of whimsy and variety
to your container garden. If you’re going to plant
directly in teapots, old boots, watering cans, or
wheelbarrows, be sure to ensure drainage and air
movement around the roots of the plants.

Container gardening is a fun way to add a touch of country to any setting. And if properly cared for, your plants (and their containers) will thrive and provide beauty and freshness to your home and garden.