Imagine tasting vegetables that you’ve grown yourself, chemically-free, pure and highly nutritious right in your own backyard or even inside your home! Now that’s possible with NFT Hydroponic Systems! NFT, or Nutrient Film Technique, is a popular type of hydroponic system where a thin film of nutrient solution is recirculated over the roots of plants, promoting faster growth and higher yield. Here, we’ll take a look at the top 10 vegetables that you can easily grow in an NFT Hydroponic System.
Kale
Let’s start with Kale, a nutrient-dense superfood. Growing kale in an NFT hydroponic system is a breeze as this leafy green tends to thrive in water-based environments. What I truly appreciate about kale is its fast growth – you’ll be harvesting mature leaves in just about 3-4 weeks! Moreover, hydroponics allows kale to avoid soil-borne diseases, giving you a healthier, fresher crop.
Lettuce
Lettuce, particularly varieties such as butter, bibb, and romaine, are some of the most reliable and easiest plants to grow using hydroponics. In fact, lettuce is known for its fast growth cycle and yield, often ready for harvesting within a month. Also, because the growing environment can be adjusted according to the lettuce’s needs, results are usually favorable with better crunch and taste.
Spinach
Spinach, another leafy green, is great to grow in an NFT hydroponic system. It loves the cool, controlled environments that these systems provide. Spinach in hydroponic systems can achieve faster harvest times, higher yields, and certainly better quality compared to soil-grown counterparts. Importantly, you have the bonus of year-round spinach production right at your fingertips!
Cucumber
Cucumbers are also great candidates for an NFT hydroponic setup. They’re typically grown vertically, which maximizes the utilization of limited space. Plus, hydroponically grown cucumbers tend to yield more and present better quality than traditional soil-grown cucumbers. They’re also less prone to pests and diseases, making your cucumber farming relatively worry-free.
Chives
Next, chives. Due to their small size and high water content, chives thrive amazingly well in a hydroponic setup. They usually grow vigorously in the nutrient-rich water without needing extra care. Also, unlike soil-grown chives, hydroponic chives are cleaner, fresher, and ready to use right after harvest without the need for thorough washing.
Radish
Radishes love hydroponics! With their fast growth rate – ready to harvest in just about three weeks – radishes truly shine in an NFT hydroponic system. It’s genuinely joyous to see the beautifully round and vibrant radishes pop out of your system, ready for you to enjoy their crisp and peppery flavor.
Strawberries
Strawberries in hydroponics? Yes, please! Not only do strawberries benefit from the disease-free environment of hydroponics, but they also produce lusciously sweet and juicy fruits too. With the proper light and temperature conditions, you can actually have year-round strawberry production, a rarity if you’re growing them in soils.
Basil
Basil, a vital herb for numerous recipes, grows surprisingly fast in hydroponic systems. As a result, basil can be harvested frequently, providing a constant supply of fresh leaves for your kitchen. Moreover, it exhibits unparalleled lushness and potency when grown hydroponically, which can significantly lift the flavors of your dishes!
Dill
Dill loves warm and humid conditions, making it a perfect fit for a hydroponic system. Their feathery leaves can mature in as little as 8 weeks, and they add not just flavor but also a lovely aesthetic to your system. More than just for pickling, fresh dill is excellent in salads, stews, and seafood dishes!
Peppers
Last but definitely not the least are peppers. Hydroponics can offer you year-round pepper production, irrespective of the outside weather conditions. They grow well in controlled hydroponic environments, and you’ll be surprised at the high yield and the vibrant and crunchy peppers you can get– from bell peppers to fiery chili peppers!
With an NFT hydroponic system, not only do you have the satisfaction of growing your own veggies but you can also relish the improved taste and nutritional content these veggies have to offer. So, why wait? Start today, nurture these plants in your system, and satiate your taste buds with fresh, homegrown vegetables loaded with goodness!