Spring has arrived and Mother’s Day weekend has passed. For many, these two events mark the beginning of the planting season. From home gardeners to people who help make sure that the front of schools look great for graduation ceremonies, Mother’s Day weekend is often the time when the real planting begins. For professional growers, however, the time for growing does not really have a beginning or an end. These people rely on flood table stands, grow light hangers, and other hydroponic growing methods to make sure that they are always ready to harvest.
Hydroponic growing methods have made great strides in the last few decades. From home gardeners who want to have mature plants ready to move outside in the spring to home chefs who want to have fresh herbs year round, the hydroponic methods that are available make it so that everyone can find the success that they want. The fact that there are now a growing, pun intended, number of people who are trying to capitalize on the expanded legalization of medical and recreational marijuana means that the hydroponic market will continue to expand.
Consider some of these facts and figures about the indoor growing market and the impact that this industry has on the nation’s economy:
- Because of the ability to receive the correct amount of nutrients, water, and oxygen, some crops can grow twice as fast in hydroponics.
- Both farmers and growers claim that some hydroponic crops use 90% less water than the same crops in traditional soil farming.
- The market value of fluorescent grow lights amounted to approximately $50 million in 2016.
- The market value of plasma grow lights were valued about $30 million in 2016.
- Growers can plant four times the amount of crops in the same space using hydroponics compared to traditional soil farming
- Hydroponic and indoor growing supplies enable people to harvest their products year round.
As we enter the middle of May you should not be surprised when you see people throughout your neighborhood out gardening and starting their vegetable gardens. It is important to realize, however, that there are many growers who have been working on these tasks behind the scenes.
