Hydroponic strawberries are some of the biggest, most colorful, and tastiest strawberries you can get your hands on.
But, is hydroponic produce organic?
Are hydroponic strawberries organic?
Strawberries grown in hydroponic systems are just as capable of being organic as strawberries grown in the ground/soil. The biggest factor that helps determine whether or not strawberries are organic is whether or not they are exposed to pesticides, chemicals, and other harsh/man-made agents that are harmful to humans.
Read on below and discover exactly why hydroponic strawberries may be organic!
Table of Contents
What is Considered Strawberries as Organic?
Strawberries are considered organic when they are grown with natural ingredients, including water, nutrients, and growing mediums.
In other words, hydroponic strawberries may be organic so long as they are fed with fresh water, oxygen, and natural nutrients.
In fact, there are numerous organic certifications available for hydroponic farmers who adhere to the regulations that determine their crops are safe and natural.
Hydroponic strawberries that are treated with pesticides for pest problems, lose their organic status.
Likewise, strawberries are not organic if they are fed with man-made chemicals and nutrient supplements.
Organic hydroponic strawberries are typically grown in NFT, ebb and flow, and aeroponic systems, where they are anchored in place by growing sites suspended vertically via a tower system.
The water pump, sprayers, lines, hoses, and air pump work in tandem with the hydroponic water reservoir to feed the hydroponic strawberries water and natural nutrient solution introduced to the system by you once every so often.
So long as no harsh plant food or chemicals, including pesticides and fungicides, are introduced into the system, the plants receive only organic ingredients.
Hence, hydroponic strawberries may be considered to be just as organic as strawberries that are grown in a patch outside in the open air of the garden.
Do Hydroponic Strawberries Have Pesticides?
Hydroponic strawberries do not require the use of pesticides.
They do not need pesticides to protect them because the common soil-borne pests, including insects, bacteria, disease, and fungus, aren’t an issue.
Common soil-borne pests aren’t a factor in hydroponics because the system runs on water and requires zero soil.
Can You Grow Hydroponic Strawberries 100% Organic?
Hydroponic strawberries can be grown 100-percent organic if you so choose to do so.
The best way to grow 100-percent organic hydroponic strawberries is to set up an ebb and flow hydroponic system and invest in all-natural ingredients.
Ebb and flow hydroponic systems are preferred for growing organic strawberries because they offer the most realistic environment.
Ebb and flow systems can grow anywhere from dozens to hundreds or thousands of plants in one system.
The plants are anchored in place, with their tops exposed to light and their roots exposed to air.
Every so often, the system floods the pipes and the plant’s roots take up all the water and nutrients they require to thrive and grow.
Hydroponic strawberries can be grown organically in nearly any hydroponic system, so long as the water is clean, there are no cleaners or harsh pesticides present, and all ingredients the plant is exposed to are natural.
Could We Know if Hydroponic Strawberries are Organic?
There is no real way to know if a hydroponic strawberry is organic or not, without sending it away to the lab. That’s why we have to take the word of the manufacturers and trust in the system.
Generally speaking, however, there are a few things that may clue you in on whether or not a strawberry is hydroponic:
- It tastes better
- It smells stronger
- It has a more vivid color
- It is bigger and heavier
Are Hydroponic Strawberries Better Than Organic Farm Strawberries?
There is no black or white answer to whether or not hydroponic strawberries are better than organic farm strawberries that are grown in the soil.
When asked about hydroponic strawberries vs. organic farm strawberries, the general consensus within many gardening communities is a staggering “yes, hydroponic strawberries are better than organic farm strawberries!”
…but, why exactly IS that?
Let’s dive into the full depth of the answer, below:
Do Hydroponic Strawberries Taste Better ( Sweeter )?
It may come as a surprise to you but it has been proven time and time again that not only strawberries, but most hydroponically grown fruits and vegetables, taste juicer, sweeter, and generally more favorable than their classically grown counterparts.
There are a few essential factors that may cause hydroponic strawberries to taste better than regular ones:
- Hydroponic fruits and vegetables are grown in stable environments, where weather conditions aren’t a fluctuating factor
- Strawberries grown in hydroponic systems have constant access to the exact nutrients they need, so they are able to develop at alarmingly fast rates compared to outdoors plants
- Hydroponic strawberries have a cleaner source of water than outdoor plants which may play a role in making the strawberries juicer and tastier as well
Are Hydroponic Strawberries Healthier?
Hydroponic strawberries are known to be quite a bit healthier than soil-grown strawberries, counting on the fact that their healthy antioxidant compounds are much higher.
The fact that they don’t have even trace amounts of harmful fertilizers and/or pesticides and harsh chemicals also counts them as healthier than strawberries that are sprayed.
Further, you must take into account the fact that hydroponic plants are grown in an almost perfectly ideal environment. There are no intrusions from animals, pests, or weather patterns. Not even the climate affects indoor hydroponic crops.
For that matter, hydroponic strawberries may truly be grown as organic and healthy as possible.
Are Hydroponic Strawberries Safe to Eat?
Hydroponic strawberries are just as safe to eat as strawberries grown in your grandmother’s 50-year-old strawberry patch.
In fact, despite what your grandmother believes, hydroponic strawberries may be much safer than fruit that is grown outdoors.
Even if you don’t spray your garden with pesticides, your neighbors might spray theirs and inadvertently taint your otherwise organic strawberries with harsh chemicals.
Hydroponic strawberries are often grown indoors, so they are totally protected from chemicals that travel in the wind or harsh elements that fall from the sky with the rain.
