Are Hydroponic Vegetables Organic?

Organic Vegetables

• Growers of certified organic plants may not use refined mineral fertilizers for nutrition. They rely entirely on natural soil minerals, organic supplements and unrefined minerals. They are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

Hydroponic Vegetables

• Hydroponic vegetables are grown in a nutrient solution that may contain organic fertilizers or may be made from highly refined mineral sources, according to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension website. Hydroponic vegetables need less chemical intervention than traditional gardens because they do not grow in soil and are often grown in greenhouses, away from pests.

Similarities

• Hydroponic and organic gardens are more environmentally friendly than traditional farming methods. Both hydroponic and organic farmers seek to reduce the harmful effects of fertilizer runoff. The hydroponic farmer carefully controls his nutrient usage, while the organic farmer aims to use only natural fertilizers. Both use natural methods of pest control in an effort to reduce the effects on the environment.