Interested in hydroponics? Here’s a handy graphic that shows how this unique method of growing food works…

Hydroponics systems have been used commercially for growing food without soil for quite a while now, but they have only become popular with home gardeners in recent years. The reason for this is likely that it is now much easier to find the equipment needed for small-scale hydroponics systems, and it has become more affordable as well.

Hydroponics is a method for growing crops using a contained system of water and nutrients. The benefits include allowing food to be grown in areas with poor or no soil, reduced pest pressure, and fewer weeds – which means fewer control methods are needed, and potentially fewer chemicals. You can also grow hydroponic vegetables with no chemical inputs, and hydroponic growing has recently been approved to qualify for organic certification.

If you are interested in trying hydroponics for yourself, or even if you are just curious and want to know what it is all about, the comprehensive infographic below shows all the parts and requirements for setting up a self-contained hydroponic system – as well as which crops are best and worst suited for growing in hydroponic systems.