• Vegetables can be grown year-round using hydroponics and a system of cold protection with sufficient light.
• Vegetables are produced in absence of soil. Nutrients, air, and water are provided to the plant growing without a supporting medium.
• Generally expensive and labor intensive.
• Students can build their own hydroponics system.
• Tomatoes and lettuce are primary vegetables grown using this system. Cucumbers, peppers, spinach, eggplant and melons can be grown using this system also.
• Fresh market can be developed for year-round delivery, especially in the winter.
• Yield per unit is greater since plants may be spaced closer together.· The need for weed, disease, and insect control is greatly reduced due to the absence of soil

Written by Eddie McKie, 2002