South Carolina hydroponic container farm makes a large impact with a small footprint South Carolina hydroponic container farm makes a large impact with a small footprint By Hannah Cumler | April 15, 2021 at 4:36 PM EDT - Updated April 15 at 4:55 PM COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - It’s been dubbed the gardening of the future, however, it seems the future is here, now that Vertical Roots has planted itself in the Midlands. The farm, which primarily grows leafy greens, uses a method of growing called hydroponic gardening. Simply put, it’s soil-less gardening. And as the name suggests, it means the roots are left out of the ground and instead fed nutrients and water directly with the help of technology.