Hydroponic vegetables can be grown anywhere

Hydroponics is derived from two Greek words: ‘hydro' - meaning water and ‘ponos' - meaning labour.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Hydroponics does not use soil, instead, the root system is supported using an inert medium, such as treated sawdust powder.

This serves an important purpose in urban centres, often faced with shortages of water, arable land, and nutrient-depleted soil, making traditional agriculture in many instances difficult.

A growing medium is a substitute for the soil in hydroponic systems, such as pinewood shavings is used to grow vegetables.

Sawdust mixed with fertilisers is used as a growth medium component because of its low cost, high moisture retention, and high availability.

The main functions of the growing medium are to supply roots with nutrients, air, and water. To allow for maximum root growth and physically support the plant. Roots grow in the spaces between individual particles of soil.

How to make a hydroponics system with a two-litre bottle

This hydroponics system consists of:

1. Top container
2.  Bottom reservoir
3. Wick (a simple little string inserted into the bottom of the pot that allows plants to take up water from a reservoir in the base of the container).
4. Growing medium (part of an artificial system of cultivation in which plants are grown without soil. The medium provides plants with physical support, regulates the water flow, serves as a reservoir of nutrients and permits gas exchange to and from the roots.)
5. Nutrient solution

Compiled by Joshua Kato (editor, Harvest Money) and Dr Jolly Kabirizi (grows hydroponic vegetables at her Kyakuwa Farm)