How a Hydroponic Tower Uses 95% Less Water Than Soil

A hydroponic tower uses up to 95% less water than a soil garden since it recycles water. A garden tower growing 24 plants uses less than a liter of water daily, while a soil bed producing the same produce wastes the majority of water due to absorption far underneath the root zone.

It is a significant difference in efficiency, so it is worth considering how the process works in detail and what mechanisms lie at the bottom of such savings. Here's a guide on how a hydroponic tower uses 95% less water and what happens from the point of water entering the reservoir to its absorption.

Why Soil Gardens Waste So Much Water

First of all, a vertical garden and a soil bed have completely different water delivery methods. Since soil saturates a considerable amount water to deliver it to the roots of the plant, the water goes far beyond the root zone, while the sun also evaporates a major part of it. According to several studies, root absorption of applied water to soil is just 5% to 10%.

A vertical garden skips all these losses since there's no soil to saturate, there's no surface to evaporate in the sun, and there's no surrounding dirt that would absorb the water. The water goes straight to the roots and is then recycled - this is the main reason why a hydroponic tower uses up to 95% less water than a soil bed growing the same crops.

How a Hydroponic Tower Saves 95% of Water

The main mechanism that enables a hydroponic tower to save water is its unique design. The hydroponic tower recycles water instead of discarding it, while a soil garden has a high degree of waste with each irrigation. A water reservoir at the bottom of the hydroponic tower contains a mix of water and nutrients. A small pump pushes that solution up through the center of the tower on a timer, and it trickles back down past each plant's exposed roots before draining back into the same reservoir. The process repeats, which means that the same batch of water is used over and over again.

A garden tower delivers the right amount of water that plants need, and not to the soil around them. This closed loop circulation is the reason why a garden tower uses up to 95% less water than a soil garden while growing full-sized fruits and vegetables at the same time.

The Numbers Behind the Water Savings

A vertical garden that is growing 24 plants uses less than a liter of water a day, depending on the crop and the weather. The figure is justified by the fact that the reservoir is not filled from scratch, only topped off, and the pump only circulates water according to the timer schedule. There are also several other numbers connected with using the garden tower:

It occupies less than 3 square feet of floor space, while replacing 30 to 40 square feet of traditional soil garden space that would be needed to grow the same volume of produce. Plants in a hydroponic tower grow 3 times faster vs. soil since the plant saves energy, not having to expand its roots searching for water.  Furthermore, yields are 30% higher in hydroponic towers since plants have more energy to grow upwards.

Setting Timers for Maximum Water Efficiency

The pump in the hydroponic tower runs 15 minutes out of every hour, for 14-16 hours a day, and the rest of the time is left dry for the roots to receive oxygen. Such an interval is the key to the water efficiency of the garden tower. Roots are supplied with enough water but are not soaked.

If you set up a hydroponic tower for the first time, there are systems with automated timers, like the ALTO Garden GX Hydroponic Tower. With this system, the watering and lighting schedules will be done automatically, and you won't need to control the water efficiency manually.

Furthermore, there are many other advantages that come along with the water savings.

Other Benefits that Come Along with Water Savings

95% of water savings is not the only advantage of growing in a hydroponic tower, although it is usually a number that catches people's attention. The same closed loop which saves water cleans the system too making it suitable for indoor use.  And since the system does not use soil, there's no soil to get inside your house. Furthermore, a hydroponic tower is able to work regardless of the season, and since nothing is spread outdoors, there is less exposure to pests and diseases that soil gardens typically suffer from.

Final Thoughts

Water savings of up to 95% is not a marketing figure but the direct result of not wasting water in the soil. A hydroponic tower recycles water - this closed-loop design is the key to its overall efficiency. When you're deciding between a vertical garden and a traditional soil bed, water savings is a huge factor to consider.

FAQs

1. How much water does a garden tower use per day?
   A garden tower growing 24 plants uses less than a liter of water a day depending on the crop, the weather, and the amount of evaporation from the reservoir.
2. Why does a vertical garden save more water than drip irrigation?
   Drip irrigation waters the soil, but some water evaporates or runs off before the roots can absorb it. A vertical garden delivers the water directly to the exposed roots and recycles, so almost none of the water is lost.
3. Do I need to refill the reservoir of the hydroponic tower every day?
   It is unnecessary to fill the reservoir of the hydroponic tower every day since most home towers only need the reservoir topped off every week or so.
4. Does the hydroponic tower waste water if the pump runs too often?
   Running the pump too often doesn't lead to wasting since it is recirculating the same water. However, it may cause oversaturation of the roots and limit oxygen uptake. That's why the 15-minute interval is better than running the pump constantly.
5. Can I use tap water in the garden tower, or should it be filtered?
   Tap water is okay for most home towers, although water with high mineral content can affect your pH readings. It is worth testing the water in the reservoir weekly regardless of the water source for your hydroponic tower.