It is possible to grow seasonal plants any time of year with a hydroponic system. Several available on the market, ranging in price from around a hundred dollars to over $500 depending on how sophisticated, don't even take up much space.

Use your imagination

Turn any space in your home into a little indoor garden. Some people set up strawberries in the corner of a kitchen or office, while others might opt to grow a larger quantity in a rec room or garage.

Visit hydroponic shops to explore the options available. Home hydroponic systems generally range from the size of a window box to a more complex system that could fill the better portion of a room. Instead of being governed by the change of seasons, hydroponic systems feature different watering systems ranging from drip watering, ebb and flow, or a wick system. Similarly, consumers can opt for different types of growing media such as rockwool, which is a superheated volcanic rock that is spun into a fibre resembling spun sugar, or a geolite growing media that is a kiln-fired ceramic shell aggregate. In either case they are light, sterile, and will hold moisture well.

Suggestions for strawberries

• Smaller hydroponic systems suitable for a kitchen or small room work well for several strawberry plants. Because they use nutrients and water so efficiently, hydroponic systems let you grow greater numbers of plants in a smaller area.
• Many people who grow strawberries indoors prefer the kind of hydroponic system that drips nutrient solution onto the plant or the kind that submerges the root zone.
• Temperature is very important for strawberries to flourish and different types of strawberry plants have different preferred ranges of temperature. Be sure to follow the guidelines that apply to your plants to ensure the best results.
• Nutrient solution pH is typically recommended at about 5.8 to 6.2 for the best strawberry growth. Again, check with the suggested guidelines for the strawberry plants you purchase.
• Using an all-natural and organic enzyme solution such as Hygrozyme will keep your water supply and root zones clean and free from pathogens or other pests. Be sure to use it in maintenance doses throughout the growth cycles for best results and plumper berries since your plants will better absorb important nutrients.
• Harvesting is easy and rewarding because you don't have to dig around in the dirt and try to beat rodents or birds to the best of the batch.
• Pick your berries as soon as they are fully ripe.
• Consider restarting your strawberries at staggered times to ensure a constant supply of berry goodness.

After a few months of growing your own tasty strawberries out of season you will recover the investment made in a hydroponic system. And nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into plump red strawberries in the middle of winter without paying inflated prices for the privilege.