Hydroponics and vertical gardening are two distinct approaches for growing plants without soil. Both involve using non-soil-based methods to allow plants to grow in water without soil.
The primary difference between hydroponics and vertical gardening is in how the system works. Hydroponics is a soilless growing technique that uses mineral-rich water instead of soil as the medium for plant growth, while vertical gardening is a form of gardening where plants are grown on walls or structures with no soil at all.
Hydroponic systems are designed to provide specific levels of nutrition, oxygen, and light to maximize growth potential, while vertical gardens can also be tailored depending on climate and location, such as placing a garden in shadier areas of your yard or utilizing natural sunlight that streams in through windows.
Hydroponics requires some level of expertise, along with knowledge about nutrient requirements, water chemistry, and pH balance. Conversely, vertical gardening has low setup costs and no need for training; it’s an ideal option for those with limited experience or those who want an easy-to-maintain maintenance-free garden solution.
Each method has its own set of pros and cons, but both offer an effective alternative for growing plants without soil.