Continue this process until you select a crop, environment and growing system that suits your overall objectives and is economically viable. This can be financially significant. Faster crop turnaround can give further increases in yield and perhaps extend cropping into higher priced periods. Produce can also have a better vase or shelf life. The soil may be unsuitable, or poorer, cheaper land can be used.
Water usage can be much lower than with most soil growing.
Fertilizer usage can be much lower than with soilgrowing. Under hot conditions the better water availability to roots can reduce water stress on plants, giving better yields and longer plant life. For crops vulnerable to soil diseases, crippling losses can be substantially reduced or eliminated. Some crops, such as lettuce and strawberries, can be lifted from ground level to a much better height for planting, cultivation and harvesting. This gives much better working conditions and hence lower labour costs.