Want to learn more about hydroponics? You’re in the right place!
Farming is one industry that will never go out of style. In Maryland, agriculture is one of the state’s biggest industries, and the types of farms present range from orchards to livestock to fresh produce. In Salisbury, Maryland, Baywater Farms has taken on the increasingly popular farming technique of hydroponics. What is hydroponic year-round growing, and how can it benefit groceries, restaurants, and the land?
What Are Hydroponics?
Hydroponic year-round growing is a form of farming certain crops all year without soil. Instead of soil, which contains plant nutrients, nutrient-rich water feeds and hydrates the crops all at once. The roots of each plant sit in the water system and grow in a greenhouse.
History of Hydroponics
Although it might seem like hydroponic farming is new, there is nothing new under the sun. We may have seen versions of hydroponic gardening in Babylon’s Hanging Gardens (one of the ancient wonders of the world,) the ancient Chinese Floating Gardens, and the Aztecs’ Chinampas (floating farms.) Francis Bacon, Jan Baptista van Helmont, and others of the 1600s mentioned the idea in their writings. According to encyclopedia.com, Dr. William F. Gericke coined the term “hydroponics” in 1929. In recent history, hydroponics extended from the laboratory and the military to agriculture.
Benefits of Hydroponic Year-Round Growing
Resource-Efficient, Consistent Farming
Hydroponic year-round growing has many advantages, and several can be summed up in the benefit of resource-efficient, consistent farming. Hydroponic farming can yield a significantly larger crop in the same space as a terrestrial crop and use far less water, too. Because it takes place in a greenhouse, the growing environment is much more controlled and can produce healthy plants consistently.
Avoid the Need for Pesticides or Herbicides
The use of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals is a great concern today for health-conscious people. Providing fresh, nutritious produce has never been more paramount to address. Hydroponic farming does away with the need for pesticides and herbicides; BayWater Farms’ produce does not use these chemicals nor genetic modifications.
Provide Nutritious Produce Year-Round
Baywater’s hydroponic year-round growing allows restaurants, groceries, and more to serve and sell the same great and nutritious produce all year long. They do not have to go far to find fresh ingredients for favorite dishes and market items. Best of all, locals can thrive on truly healthy food.
BAYWATER FARMS HAS THE RIGHT PRODUCE FOR YOU
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.