This form of gardening is also easily adapted to indoor environments, which means it can be used throughout the year to grow a gardener’s favorite plants. The greatest advantage to hydroponics is the overall outcome of the plants, which will be of better quality and are much healthier. Gardeners can give nature a helping hand while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of their garden. Root growth is stimulated in the hydroponic plants due to the extra oxygen. Plants with plenty of oxygen in the root system will also absorb nutrients faster. The nutrients in a hydroponic system are mixed with water and sent directly to the root system. Hydroponic systems use apparatus that are varied. The History and Growth of Hydroponics Hydroponics means working water and comes from the Greek words “hydro” and “ponos,” meaning water and labor. Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history so they are not a new method of growing plants. These two factors come together to make hydroponics an extremely efficient method of food production. Hydroponics is also environmentally sound. The water consumption in hydroponic growing is significantly less than traditional growth methods; in many cases, hydroponic crops use a tenth of the water of equivalent traditional crops. Fuels that contain sulfur or sulfur compounds cannot be used because they produce harmful by products when they burn. Dry ice can be used in small greenhouses, especially if a cooling effect is also desired. Dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, is effective when used in a well-sealed area. The ice can either be used in block form or broken down into small pieces and used a little at a time. All of these salts must be thoroughly dissolved before being allowed to circulate around your root systems. Micronutrients are also needed for proper growth of your plants. Boric acid, manganese chloride, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate and iron sulfate can be used in minute amounts in the nutrient solution.