In hydroponics plants are grown in a solution consisting of water and nutrients required for a particular plant, or within a system that uses a substrate or growing mix medium. There are several hydroponics techniques and systems that exist for producing plant crops. Hydroponics systems include the nutrient film technique, aeroponics, and the aeration technique. The key is to monitor the nutrient solutions on a regular basis to make sure the pH is at the right level. Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without soil as hydroponics cultivates plants in nutrient-rich water. This is an advantageous method of gardening for home and for commercial use. There are no weeds to deal with and hydroponic plants are typically healthier, mature earlier, and use less space. The basic nutrients needed in any hydroponic solution are potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate. 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. In hydroponics, nutrient solutions are used to feed plants instead of using plain water. This is due to the fact that the plants are not grown in soil. When growing hydroponically, the gardener will need to add all of the nutrients the plant needs to the water. Distilled water will work best for making the nutrients. Hydroponics can be used to grow plants anywhere, even in your own backyard. Using hydroponics can grow anything from garden crops to flowers. Hydroponic gardening is considered to be a clean and highly effective method for growing plants. There is less mess and less maintenance. Hydroponic gardening helps to eliminate the need for weeding and helps to cut down on diseases and pests. As hydroponics attracted more growers, complete plant nutrient formulas, and hydroponic greenhouse systems were being marketed. Environmental control systems were being developed to help growers provide the ideal plant environment in addition to the ideal plant diet. Commercial crop growers are turning to soil less cultivation more and more.