Taste Test! HYDROPONIC VS SOIL GROWN BEEFSTEAK TOMATO.

[@firecloud77]

I've been growing both organic and hydroponic tomatoes for years. I've never been able to notice a taste difference. But there is a taste difference between tomatoes grown outdoors vs. in the greenhouse. Here in Seattle it's much warmer in the greenhouse and that results in tastier tomatoes. So generally speaking, the warmer the growing environment the tastier the tomato.

[@lesliekearley3556]

i cant wait to see more taste tests! Also, to see at the end the difference between both with the maintenance, spending, amounts, etc! im just a backyard gardener but i learn so much from yall and enjoy watching your videos, thank you for sharing!

[@jeffdelnin457]

Criticism: 1) neither tomato was ripe. 2) soil grown was noticeably less ripe. Conclusion: poorly controlled experiment that proves nothing.

[@AnthonyMartin-yt1pn]

Amen I’ve never ever got a hydroponic tomato that was ripe or would ever turn ripe

[@analactica]

​@@AnthonyMartin-yt1pnseriously ? So I'm wasting my time ? I should get fruits by next month !!!!

[@lorandoane118]

I love the scientific approach you take.

[@MissionaryForMexico]

We have done the same test. But what we learned there is a differnce in the hydroponics when you use synthetic fertilizer, to organics fertilizer. For my hydroponic set up, I make a compost tea. I built a flood and drain system that uses a 55 gal reservior, this acts as a good buffer. I use the Blue Lab Guardian system in the reservior. I have 24, four gallion buckets. I grow the beefsteak variety. I tell and show folks the growth rate is far better using the hydroponics. I also do not use any pesticides. I do order lady bugs online. Some of the F1 hybrid tomatoes have certain characteristics that are far superior to others. I grow inside, and in green house. You guys have done a fantastic job!

[@danielt6689]

One big difference in tunnels or dry climates like California is that you can cut back on irrigation with grown-in-soil tomatoes. The reduced water content significantly concentrates flavor.

[@19Photographer76]

I've done my own testing over the past decade at our place and the soil-grown, for whatever reason are tastier when left to ripen on the vine. In your sample tomatoes, the dirt grown even looked juicier for a less ripe tomato compared to the hydro tomato. The only reason it would have more seeds (dirt) was how it was pollinated, correct? The comment about the skin being tastier was something interesting. It makes good economical sense for you guys at Spring Hill Farms to use the pads/hydro. My main question, what do you do with the pads? Not as difficult possibly as Hemp but still, can you reuse the coco fiber (labor intense)? My area of the PNW has been transitioning their grass seed fields to hemp. Restrictions of field burning has cause the change but now they need large drying barns, not passive like tobacco but heat and fans for quick drying.

[@donkrapf]

Using the same cultivar and the same growing conditions (sun, temp, etc.), differences in taste can probably be attributed to different nutrients. You can tweak the nutrients and see how that affects the taste. Another thing to consider is amount of water. The hydroponic-grown obviously has all the water it can take up. If the soil has a bit less than the plant can use then the taste may be more intense. (i.e. not watered-down)

[@Suetvvlogs]

soil-grown is always better, anyone who eats tomatoes back in the days before all this hydroponic food started to invade the market can taste the difference right away, I have been living here in the Netherlands for the last 20 years and this country are the pioneer when it comes to hydroponic systems and greenhouses, when I go to the market I can always tell the difference between hydroponically grown vegetables vs soil-grown vegetables, thank god there are still some farmers here who like to grow there vegetables in soil vs the hydroponic system and these farmers usually advertise that too at their stand in the market so you always have the option to choose from hydroponic stands vs soil-grown stands, love to see the comparison video.

[@kyletracey5819]

Big dif in taste once real ripe. My beefsteak were juicy and so sweet this season. Not to mention huge. The deformed looming ones had the most flavor. Real sweet. I grew heirlooms this year ! Interesting watching. Thanks for this upload. Get back with some ripe ones

[@ppmtrader]

Wow! This look amazingly good ma'am patti. Greetings from Thailand.

[@stevenboyd2506]

Given the sophistication of your greenhouse you are probably aware of this but flavour can be enhanced by pushing the EC. In the Netherlands they go as high as 7.0 siemen. I push mine to 5.5 and it makes a huge difference. Many commercial operations will not do this as it does reduce fruit quantity marginally but if you want fantastic flavour, it does work. Great video.

[@MissionaryForMexico]

You are correct, I do this at the third month of growth cycle! I have been to Amsterdam a few times, flying from Houston to Dubai when I was working in Iraq!

[@GuruTheGreatOfficial]

Namaste 🙏 big love from india great achievement mam.

[@DJKENNYG57]

First Here. great video, love them tomatoes.

[@MikeParentLeap]

What are you feeding the hydroponic tomatoes? TIA

[@markcraig7783]

do you hand pollinate your plants ? what type of grow medium are you using ?

[@jackosallotment6224]

Nice one glad you’re trying to find out but you know who’s going to be the best judges ? yep the customers cheers 🍻

[@adammaina5612]

Following you from Nairobi Kenya. You are a great inspiration. Keep up the good work. Can you please confirm that you have managed to grow this without having to use chemical pesticides?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Thank you so much! We DO NOT use any herbicides or pesticides on ANY of our products!

[@adammaina5612]

@@Growwiththelaplantes Amazing. The work of your hands is so blessed.

[@marksmite7173]

@@Growwiththelaplantes Inspiring to see as a young grower. !

[@farmerbond4210]

And that’s with the sides of the greenhouse being open for venting right? So I guess the best pest control is strong healthy plants and beneficial insects. I had some cherry tomatoes outside that weren’t healthy and had the skin split they just seem to be a magnet for pests

[@Emeraldwitch30]

@@farmerbond4210 splitting cherry tomatoes is due to uneven watering. The outside compared to greenhouses. Inside you can control the water. We got so much rain last fall my cherry tomatoes and big tomatoes all had issues with splitting and you are 100% right. The minute they split on the vine the little bugs come in. And along with the splitting the heavy rain we got caused lots of issues with bacterial wilts and blights.

[@rumbletym]

How do you get the fruit set good? Can you do a video of tomatoe set.

[@md.mahfuzalam28]

Excellent....!!! How much kilograms tomato totally harvest from one plant's....??? ( in this hydroponics system )

[@webaruhazberles]

how heavy is one steam approximately, did you cut hole in growing bag for excess water, are you using bumblebees?

[@oddopops1327]

You guys are funny! The soil one clearly was tastier, but you are talking yourselves into the hydroponic being best. LOL!😂🤣😂🤣

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

There seriously wasn't much difference.

[@SCARRIOR]

Tbh the soil one was riper, should have waited a bit longer tbh

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

yes, we know. This is why we are going to do another video.

[@oddopops1327]

@@Growwiththelaplantes I'm kidding! lol! 😊

[@pranaycs2352]

Good job guys! Keep it up :D

[@linacapital2062]

What is the recommended separation between plants for the hydroponic tomato plants?

[@johnwquick3616]

Appreciate whenever you give the variety and source of seed

[@matthewdavis8091]

What hydroponic fertilizer were you using.

[@mattwyatt9261]

Can you see much of difference in vigor of the sucker plant vs main plant other than just being a little delay in production ?.

[@goldenagrofarm.4313]

Really, nice video.

[@kprairiesun]

How can you tell with a tomato not completely ripe?! Johnny's seeds told me BigDena was the best. But, they were sold out. Looks like it really is productive!

[@donnapruiett6541]

Do y’all build your own hydroponic systems or purchase them?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

We purchased our troughs through a business who was selling off, but you can purchase through American Hydrophonics or Crop King. Everything else was built by us.

[@donnapruiett6541]

Spring Hill Farms ok thanks for the reply!

[@oddopops1327]

Great video! 😊

[@dokutaaguriin]

The greenhouse is looking as clean as CB's!

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

haha, not quite! This is as clean as I will ever have time for.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Holly Molly look at all those awesome maters! Hands down you just can't beat hydro growing! You folks have one on amazing job with this new greenhouse! Loved the taste test. Agree they needed to be a bit more ripe to get the full flavor. You will be surprised how many of your customer's will be telling you have great those hydro maters taste as long as ya don't tell them upfront they are from hydro. I get a kick out of our customer's telling us that our is the best maters they ever ate! It is a mind over matter deal when it comes to telling them they were grown in hydro. Do a little test of your own and you will see what I am talking about. For some reason the hydro sticks to their brain to make them think they are not as good. You will get a kick out of it my friend. Stay safe up there and hats off to all of you for such a wonderful job you folks do!

[@elvismom1]

Thanks hope thing are cooling down for you guys. Stay safe

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Thanks my friend! I think you and wayne covered all tomato talk on the phone lol. Sorry I didn't pop on, I was busy filling my belly with Chinese food! yes, I chose Chinese food over awesome friends, but I did shout out a hello!❤

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

I love Chinese food!! Don't blame ya on passing me up when it comes to food like that! I heard ya in the back saying hello 💗Enjoy your food and stay awesome as always!

[@farmerdre1]

Thanks! This video is helpful! Those hydroponic tomatoes are looking good! How many lbs do you think you will produce per plant ?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

we are hoping to produce approximately 30 - 40 pounds per plant this year, but we will have everything set up earlier next year so we are hoping for at least 50 lbs per plant next season.

[@mattwyatt9261]

When you say lbs per plant is that for both leader and sucker making two plants?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

No I am meaning for each sucker and leader!

[@tecnohuerta3451]

Excelent ...the hidropónic Is perfect👍👍

[@geoffwalmsley3066]

A higher ec gives a sweeter tasting tomato,the downsize is a reduction in yield, in the UK we had one outlet that paid us a premium for a tomato with a higher bricks count(sugar content) end of the season that would be 10% lower yield.

[@SamSam-jr5qu]

Wife: Honey, that's your supper Husband: Wait a minute, you mean those two slices of tomatoes are all I get for tonight?...Oh noooo! Hahahahaha

[@ninataylor6180]

Would I be correct in saying you cant do a side by side test when the hydro one is over a month behind? even though it looks the same its over a month younger? Love the videos and the way you explain things just amazing and much appreciated.

[@FnLn55]

Great video!

[@josevelez8410]

I need to try this out myself. Yield wise, would you say soil or hydro produced a bigger yield for you?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

So far, Hydro hands down!!

[@josevelez8410]

@@Growwiththelaplantes I thought that would be the case. Thanks for testing this out and sharing your results with everyone!

[@maxvn9316]

Like, bạn chia sẻ rất hay,🌷🌷🌷. Thank you.

[@ttmallard]

They supported my hunch soils should taste more fully, they're taste more tomato. Tested for nutrients a hunch soils add a tad more. Fun stuff, best to all 📚

[@vivekanand2963]

Im from India. What is cost of setting up hydroponic infrastructure? How do you make the nutrious solution?

[@gopalkshetry4320]

Which is more expensive to produce?

[@roccoconte2960]

Good video , what was the final conclusion?

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

as we said in the video, there was very little difference.

[@jtimwest]

Were these grafted tomatoes?

[@TheTerryf]

nice video can you please let me know where you buy the basket from thank you

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

We buy them from Wellington Wood Products in southern Ontario.

[@wheelbarrowfriend2035]

Very nice. Thanks

[@jeffmartin693]

OMG! they are loaded!

[@bham_0027]

What were the results of the final taste test, using fully ripe tomatoes? Would love to know. These videos have been a huge help

[@denhaagholland5406]

I have an idear ... press out a tomato from the ground and hydroponic and measure the EC . this also affects the taste . good video thank you

[@hometablet8292]

I would go all the way to America to taste test her... tomatoes 😌

[@tantaw0]

Are yo7 folks Canadian? I think I picked up an a bit of a Canadian accent EH😁I live in Texas but my mom was Canadian which makes me half Canuck. My son married a Canadian and lived there for about 10-11 years. I love going back when I get a chance! Your website is great! Dave

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Lol, yes we are Canadian.

[@sjstaggs]

This says a lot about your soil though. If the taste of a hydroponic tomato that you have given all of the trace nutrients it needs is nearly indistinguishable from one grown in soil. Your soil is on point!

[@dennisday2049]

Thank you. For us 'forensic file' viewers, you should have not transferred hydroponic to soil tomato using uncleaned knife. Where's the salt? Great job.

[@aboradalolyani]

مرحبا 👋🏻 هل طريقة الري مغلقة أم دائرية؟

[@chiragsorathiya4379]

Mam your all video superb

[@michaeljames5936]

A ripe hydroponic tomato vs an unripe soil-grown? Not much of a comparison. What I would have loved to hear, was the yield comparison and the price of producing hydro vs soil. (I've enjoyed many of your videos; thank you.)

[@johnny0253]

what is your spacing???

[@johnny0253]

why wouldnt you wait till they were red to do a test taste??? that tomatoe looks like a store bought quality,,,,,, its no where near red and ready...... also we like to see a brix test on them tomatoes,,,,,,

[@lunkerpond9765]

Cool video.

[@Mrsnufleupagus]

Great comparison! Ignore the whiners and negative Nelly's....they were both at the same stage and so many factors effect growth and taste. If folks want to criticize....they can grow both in different ways and post their own vid lol!!! Wanna see the next taste test pretty please:))

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Tbh, they weren't quite at the same stage, but yes, many have an opinion and I'm fine with that. We will definitely be doing on on nice ripe ones as well a cukes and peppers. Thanks my awesome friend!!

[@ninataylor6180]

@@Growwiththelaplantes Cat wait thats going to be exciting thank you.

[@artport7]

How can you taste test a severely under ripe tomato... I don't get it.

[@musaire]

The plant itself needs the correct micro-flora (and soil for that) to be able to make many of the micronutrients it uses bio-available to itself - all that affects the taste - can also be little nuances in taste but more so in full nutritional value ( some of which is in phyto-nutrients humans know little about). Been wondering if it can be , at least partly, achieved with organic matter in watering solution (sorry, I am not completely aware of what was the solutions used here). :) Personally, I don't think a simple hydroponic is a good solution for quality produce in future. Unless it is smth between soil-growing and hydroponic - there is some more material around the roots where the fungi/microorganisms can grow. I have been studying health. The most important is the amount of phytonutrients, fiber in food. Bit easier to achieve main mineral content. That is what should be food prices be based upon. Not per kilos, pounds. Not point in selling plastic plants. Though you can make a business in any of the ways out of it, and set the price according to nutrient amount (but who cares or knows about it enough). :) Greetings from Estonia! ENjoying your videos (just growing few plants as a hobby here)! My comment is general thoughts about it, not specifically about your beautiful greenhouses, admiring how much work you put in.

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Thank you for this information! we are all learning together. 😁

[@DaDrewinz]

I there's more than meets the eye here. Soil grown will come with a bunch of different native endophytic microbes which are beneficial for your gut microbiome. Humans have been eating dirt and microbes with their veggies for thousands of years before the last 50 years. We've adapted to use these microbes in our guts and i think will be proven to be essential in the future. One of the main leading causes i think for obesity is lack of proper gut microbiome that can process nutrients sufficiently or properly. Salt based nutrition and preservatives for plants voids most of these important microbes which i think to be essential to healthy humans. Awesome experiment though. Also i think a brix or even nutritional content test of both fruits would be interesting.

[@farmerbond4210]

Also there soil grown plants have daily hydroponic nutrients added so one should also taste test soil grown with no synthetic salt based fertilizer in soil with lots of worms and active soil biology. Hydroponics can easily be more diverse with adding a mycorrhizae supplement or compost tea. I personally grow mainly salad greens with that same nutrient mix but add the mycorrhizae supplement and find the taste to be the best I’ve tried, I’m biased though. Lol

[@farmerbond4210]

You make some great points and everyone is free to farm however they please, however I would ask large scale intensive operations like you mention make more of an effort to try practice such as mixed cover crops before and after every cash crop and no till planting drills where possible. When conditions allow drainage improves, runoff and nutrient requirements can drop in a very meaningful way not to mention less man hours and fuel used. On your organic elements point, if you don’t account for the effects of all the beneficial bacteria in the soil and there effects on plant health then your missing out. Take true sourdough bread for example I can take nothing more than flour water and salt then with time and beneficial bacteria produce 10 plus different complex flavors of bread. It’s the waste from the Bacteria creating the acids adding the sour flavor that just can’t be replicated exactly by any other process.

[@farmerbond4210]

Also not sure why it took you 20years but after a quick google search your main “organic elements” are carbon,oxygen,nitrogen,hydrogen due to the 1000’s of organic compounds they form. There’s an entire field devoted to organic chemistry. It’s pretty fascinating and there’s much we still don’t comprehend I’ll give you the label organic elements may be subjective but I didn’t give it the term.

[@farmerbond4210]

Anyone interested in a scientific article on soil origins and biology this is a good read google the title: “Earth one amazing substance” it’s posted on bbc.com and another site.

[@farmerbond4210]

So are you denying that soil is a living area whose biology has a massive impact on plant growth,health and taste? Plain old elements alone will only get you so far, they may be important building blocks but without the “organic compounds” formed through the symbiotic relationship with plants and soil fungi you’ve got nothing. Also put your glasses back on and find the word organic or element anywhere in my first post that you replied to. PS no hard feelings here , trying to get a healthy debate going

[@willschmit436]

You might benefit from looking up "triangle test". It is a common taste-testing tool to find the "odd" participant...

[@LOSERINACTION]

Nice mam

[@SillCybin]

I am a huge proponent of soil-grown heirloom tomatoes versus hydroponics. They just taste better when grown outdoors in full sun. I am a firm believer that organically grown hydroponics should be at a much lesser classification than organically grown foods that are grown from the soil. To me, it's a no-brainer . Hydroponics should be required by law to be labeled as such so there can be an increase in production and an increase in final cost for soil-based organic. Protect our small farmers!

[@bmck5002]

Nutrient rich soil always tastes better vs hydroponic in my opinion

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

I always said the same, but the flavor was absolutely amazing in this system! customers were back for more each week and raved about the flavor.

[@janetleeharrison]

I like that you are taste testing these at different stages of maturity. Can't wait to see the next taste test! BTW, can I just comment on how absolutely STUNNING & CLEAN greenhouse #5 is! It's so perfect it looks fake, LOL. Jeepers, I would love to see you grow the peppers this way & do taste testing on them too. Looks like #5 is a bigger producer, maybe? Great to see you guys - have a terrific night.

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

Thank you! We do infact, have peppers growing in this hydrophonic greenhouse as well as #4 in soil! I will video that tomorrow! Thanks for keeping me on my toes, and for the awesome idea!!😁

[@janetleeharrison]

@@Growwiththelaplantes Thank you Patty - can't wait!

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

Interesting comparison. The true test is if your customers notice a difference. I’m guessing they don’t. You all are doing a great job out there and I love seeing what you are up to.

[@darjohnsom9368]

love your channel, i,m a total newbie with this I have hot peppers and tomatoes in my greenhouse, and having some issues, buy chance do you have an email I have some questions, thanks so much

[@jasona.neverforgetfukushim647]

Classic Canadian eh!.... thats your Super...I need some BACON with that!!!!!

[@wathah323]

What is the hurry, let them rippen.

[@aliagus5935]

Mantaap

[@ClickinChicken]

skins were the vitamins are! no wait, that's potatoes..

[@redsammy7789]

Never sen anyone cut one like that and they look like they need to be on the vine longer

[@sandrar398]

Do over when ripe.

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

yup, that's what we said we were going to do.😉

[@yanethrincon1164]

More important than flavor, it is the NUTRIENTS from the soil.

[@davecichowicz6]

I would look forward to watching your video but sorry thumbs down for to many ads.

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

yes, that was my mistake. I guess I didn't look at add placement properly. sorry. Thanks for the thumbs down.😖

[@AnthonyMartin-yt1pn]

The problem is hydroponic Tomatoes suck

[@varnamq3]

Democratic voting on which tomato is tastier

[@Greenflextiger]

Thats not beefstake thats justa normal tomato you got ripped off

[@whatnow8362]

Soil will always be better. First reaction is the truth.

[@wooskie29]

They aren't ripe!

[@FXNorm]

Bad test.. tomatoes aren't close to being ripe.

[@JJN603]

unfair test. both tomatoes need to be same ripeness. organic wins all the time.

[@Growwiththelaplantes]

I absolutely agree with the ripeness! This is why we will do another.

[@JJN603]

@@Growwiththelaplantes cant wait to see the results! 😃💚🍻 ive battled with chem fertz many times.. i can never beat microbes. compost teas vs chem fertz. chems just dont have a chance.

[@AnthonyMartin-yt1pn]

You grow all them plants but don’t know what’s ripe wow you lost Credibility with me

[@noniemarley7012]

Although very pretty, neither look very tasty, not ripe enough to be good.