Hydroponics, the process of growing plants without using soil, has in its modern form been used for over 100 years and is now a fast-growing global market. This book uses the science developed by large hydroponic operations and adapts it for a home context. There are several types of systems, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are noted along with a guide to selecting a system by crop, location, maintenance, and difficulty. These DIY systems range from very easy to create and maintain, such as a bottle garden which can be made using a small number of common household items, to much more labor-intensive building projects, such as a nutrient-film-technique floating-raft garden system which will take hours and hundreds of dollars in materials just to construct. Instructions for several methods of seed starting and cloning are outlined, as are approaches to system maintenance. Tools include a troubleshooting guide, glossary, and crop-selection charts. Readers serious about home hydroponic gardening will find this a useful guide to getting set up.--Heidemann, Anne Copyright 2010 Booklist