Hydroponics or tilling the soils, which way to go? A decision I was struggling to answer for myself, weighing up the pros and cons, the financial implications, and the ground work that would be the conclusion. Either way a certain amount of physical exercise, relaxation and a lot of pleasure would be the result. This is what I was looking for.

To produce my own vegetables, in the long run, should save me money, give me pleasure, as well as allow me to control what chemicals and fertilisers I use in their production. There is so much written today on “grow green”, organic fertilisers, substitute natural products for pest control, even to companion planting techniques, where differing herbs and plants aid in protecting the one to the other. The lists of combinations and recommendations are vast, the one I refer to is Wikipedia. The one problem I have with companion planting is that I do not always want to plant a certain vegetable. This was the reason I considered hydroponics, as I would have more control over the wanted plants.

As I am a “Green Keeper” on a Golf Course, I consider my knowledge of agronomy of a high standard. Therefore, my knowledge of the plants requirements for ground preparation, nutrient applications, watering, light and air movement are adequate. This is obviously whether I be tilling the soils or practising hydroponics. However when tilling the soils, air movement within the root zone is of great importance, anaerobic conditions being one of the most important factors to avoid, but when practising hydroponics oxygenating the water is of prime importance.

This oxygenating of the water is my scourge, when considering large storage dams for agricultural use, agitators, water paddles, fountains and plants help to acquire the desired results. Surface areas and wind movement being a natural aeration method, but these are not practical for a small semi enclosed water source. What are the options available to me? Fine and large bubble aeration pumps, as used in tropical fish tanks. The fine bubble pump, is the preferred option, as the smaller bubble has a high oxygen transfer efficiency, but the depth of the stored water will have an effect on the rate of transfer. Mind boggling considerations to say the least.

Hydroponics practiced in so many differing methods, static water solutions, continuous flow methods, passive sub-irrigation, flood and drain, deep water and “bubbleponics”. All of these have their pros and cons, with the major tripping block being the interrupted electrical supply. Living where I do, this is a very likely occurrences, and research has shown me the designs to overcome the problem.

Is it worth it, when weighed against the tilling of the soils, the ease of irrigating, pest control, disease control and nutrient applications? I do not think so, the hydroponic gardeners have created a system, high in trial and error practises, which must have financial implications. The cost of producing the required vegetable, verses its price off the shelf, should surely be a major consideration. Are production levels and extended plant life so much higher to endorse the risks involved? Again, I am not convinced of this fact. I understand that available arable land is a consideration for hydroponics being a must, with window farming for apartment dwellers an only consideration. But the joy of turning the sod and creating an environment conducive to good plant growth, is far more relaxing and rewarding when cropping the fruits of your toil.

Hydroponics verses tilling the soils, in my opinion tilling, if the area is available, wins hands down every time.