“Why should I continue to use Black Gold products for my indoor gardening projects, rather than switching entirely to hydroponics?” Question from Vicki of Brownsburg, Indiana
Answer: It depends on your home, budget, and goals, but I favor soil growing for lots of reasons. Either way, both methods have value. To help you make up your own mind, here are the plusses and minuses of growing in pots versus home hydroponic growing.
Indoor Potted Vegetables: Benefits and Problems
Five Benefits of Pots
- Least expensive
- Easy if you have lots of sunshine
- Less energy needed
- Accommodate larger and more vegetables
- Crops have more flavor
Five Problems of Pots
- Need more space
- More light may be needed
- More food, water, and pruning may be needed
- Attract fungus gnats and shore flies (Click here to learn how to manage these pests.)
- Can be messier.
If you are interested in taking this route, click here to learn more about how to grow potted herbs and vegetables indoors. Two great soils for indoor growing are Black Gold® Natural & Organic Flower and Vegetable Soil and Black Gold Natural & Organic Ultra Coir. Both are approved for organic gardening, hold water well, but also offer excellent drainage.
Home Hydroponic Vegetables: Benefits and Problems
Benefits of Hydroponic Units
- Faster yields
- Less messy
- Often all-in-one units
- Often compact units
- Often automated for easy use
Problems of Hydroponic Units
- Most expensive
- Accommodate fewer, smaller plants
- More energy needed
- Spread disease faster
- Encourage algal growth and can leak
I will let you be the judge, but I happily grow my indoor herbs in pots along my south-facing window. I’ve my basil already growing for the season.
Happy gardening,
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist