Soiless gardening may sound impossible but it is extremely possible and great solution for those of us with little or no garden. If you have always dreamed of growing your own vegetables and flowers but have been inhibited by lackluster soil or a lack of space then soiless gardening may be just what you are looking for. Although the concept of soiless gardening may seem modern and a technological breakthrough it is actually an ancient concept, practiced as early as the Aztec civilization, it has merely been adapted to today's needs and equipment.

How it Works

Soil is not essential to growing plants, what is really necessary are the nutrients that are found in soil. The soil acts as a source and collection point of all the nutrients necessary for a plant to grow. Soiless gardening uses a mineral solution to grow plants in so that the nutrients still reach the plants. Sometimes gravel, rockwool or perlite is used instead of a mineral solution.

The Advantages

The first advantage that makes this form of gardening so appealing is that it requires very little space. This form of gardening is especially ideal if you don't have a garden as it can be carried out indoors. With a growth lamp there is no need for direct sunlight, so you can practice soiless gardening in your apartment or garage. It is also a great solution if you have bad soil that is not conducive to growing plants, the alternative would be to order plenty of good soil but this can be expensive and very labor intensive.

Amateur gardeners need not be frightened off by soiless gardening as this form of gardening may actually be easier for you than normal gardening. The problem of over or under watering plants is eliminated with soiless gardening. The right amount of water is pumped into your plants so there is no risk of withering away your plants or rotting the roots away, a common problem for those of us who are new to gardening.

If the reason you have started gardening is that you are worried about the amount of pesticides used by commercial farmers then rest assured that soiless gardening does not use pesticides excessively. The absence of soil means that there are no soil borne diseases, thus eliminating the need to use pesticides and fertilizers to the point that it becomes a health hazard. Weeding is also largely unnecessary as there is no place for weeds to spring up.