Question

Can Hydroponics be organic?

Answer 1

To be certified as organic, an agricultural land or garden should meet the set of rules as put forth by the National Organic Program (NOP). The main focus of these guidelines is to produce crops in a way as to have minimal harmful effect on the environment.

Complete answer:
Hydroponics is a system of growing plants without using soil but providing all the essential nutrients in plant’s water. This system may depend on sunlight, either natural or in a greenhouse or may use artificial light. As most of the process of growing crops using hydroponics can be controlled and so this result in a better and faster yield in less growing time.

If a certain hydroponic system is able to fulfill all the set of rules put forth by the NOP, then the given system is organic. As we know that there isn’t any presence of soil in the system, instead microbial activity is used to accomplish it’s nutrient requirement to meet the organic standards.

While most of the hydroponic systems are not organic still there are some hydroponic systems that are certified organic. So from this we can say that- yes, hydroponics can be organic.

Note: One very interesting fact about hydroponics is that, this along with organic farming are the two systems that are most environment friendly with regards to the traditional gardens. Hydroponic gardeners grow crops indoor and avoid infested garden soil so that they can reduce pest problems. However, they might use natural pest control or the traditional chemicals when required.