The word hydroponics come from the Greek words hydro meaning water and ponos meaning labor and is a method of growing plants in water without soil. Hydroponics has its roots in ancient civilizations. There is even research to suggest that the Hanging Gardens in ancient Babylon used hydroponic technology.

Fast forward to today where hydroponic technology has advanced with computer automation technology, water pumps, and new growing mediums to the point that normal people can grow hydroponic vegetables in their backyards or large commercial operations can grow thousands of plants with almost the same methods.

One crop that has benefited from hydroponic technology is the strawberry for a couple of reasons. Using a conventional soil based method to grow strawberries on a large scale forces farmers to use Methyl Bromide which is a toxic chemical. Since a hydroponic system does not contain any soil there are no soil born diseases or pests so there is no need to use toxic herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides which damage the environment making this method more eco friendly. For this reason farmers throughout the world are moving into hydroponic gardening in a big way.

Some other reason that more farmers than ever are growing hydroponic strawberries:

1. The hydroponic system can be set up to elevate the strawberry plants so that the fruit hangs down for easy picking.

2. The systems can also be designed vertically to increase the amount of strawberry plants for the space.

3. Since there is not a need to use harsh toxic chemicals in the production, the strawberries end up tasting better.

4. There is a higher yield when growing strawberries hydroponically.

5. When grown in greenhouses or indoors using artificial light this farmers are able to grow strawberries all year.

For all the reasons listed above more people, whether they are commercial or hobby farmers, are discovering the joys of hydroponic gardening.