| Hydroponics is a great method of gardening | | | | the plant, yet not warm enough for germs to |
| indoors that requires no soil whatsoever, yet | | | | grow in the solution. Ebb and flow takes the |
| produces fabulous yields of fruits, vegetables and | | | | temperature issue into consideration; by not |
| flowers. There are many types of hydroponics | | | | allowing the hydroponic nutrients in solution to |
| systems that you can try, including static solution, | | | | remain around the plant roots, the temperature |
| continuous flow solution, aeroponics and deep | | | | of the solution is rendered essentially a moot |
| water culture. Among the most popular methods | | | | point. |
| of hydroponics is the ebb and flow system. | | | | Some equipment is required to make the ebb and |
| With an ebb and flow style of hydroponics, plants | | | | flow system work. A pump attached to a tube |
| are grown in a flat containing some type of | | | | allows the solution to be pumped up into the flat, |
| growing medium. It could be peat moss, rockwool, | | | | and also brings the solution back down into the |
| vermiculite, perelite or many other types of | | | | container. How many times the growing medium |
| media available to gardeners today. Beneath the | | | | needs to be flooded depends on which is used. To |
| flat is a container of hydroponic nutrients, which | | | | keep things simple with an ebb and flow system, |
| are dissolved in water. At regular intervals, a | | | | most gardeners put the pump on a timer, so all |
| pump causes the hydroponic nutrients to flow up | | | | goes according to schedule without constant |
| into the flat, soaking the roots, after which the | | | | attention on your part. |
| solution drains, or ebbs, back into the container. | | | | There are several benefits to the ebb and flow |
| The action of the solution rising and then falling in | | | | style of hydroponic gardening. One is that because |
| the medium helps to bring both oxygen and food | | | | of the movement of the solution around the plant |
| to the plant roots. | | | | roots via the action of the pump, you will not |
| There is some maintenance that needs to occur | | | | need an air pump but will still achieve appropriate |
| with the hydroponic nutrients in order to ensure | | | | oxygenation of the plant roots. The ebb and flow |
| that the plants are not harmed. The solution of | | | | gardening method also uses less power than |
| hydroponic nutrients needs to be kept warm | | | | other hydroponic styles, and it is a quiet system, |
| enough so as not to inhibit activity in the roots of | | | | making it perfect for use in a home or office. |