Simply stated, hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil. Instead, plants are grown in nutrient-enriched water. From the Greek words, hydro means water and ponos means labor. Rather than obtaining its nutrients from the soil, the hydroponic lettuce root system takes up the optimum amount of elements it needs to grow quickly. Controlling the temperature, humidity, lighting and environmental factors assure the best possible flavor and nutritional value. Plus, you have no worries over pesticides or soil borne disease. Hydroponics is environmentally friendly because it uses less space and about 1/10 the water that traditional farming uses. Lest you think that hydroponics is some futuristic experiment, be assured that is not a recent invention. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Aztec Floating Gardens of Mexico City are both examples of early hydroponic gardening. It’s simple, hydroponic-grown lettuce allows the water do the work.