Hydroponics is the art and science of growing in a nutrient solution without soil.  One of the notable of hydroponic farming is improved food safety.  The plants are raised in a contained environment with no pollutants and no environmental contaminants like dirt or bird droppings.  The quality and quantity of products in hydroponic farming is predictable and grown year-round, unaffected by the whims of weather and climated.  Hydroponic growing has also being cited as being healthier for the plants because it allows for tighter control of the nutrients.  It has been said to work particularily well for greens, herbs but not for root vegetables like carrots; perennials like asparagus or beans which require runners.

Some farmers have also paired hydroponic vegetable production with fish farms in a process known as "aquaponics".