As a low-impact physical activity that gets you out into nature, gardening is popular for a reason. However, many variables can cause things to go awry outside, from birds and snails to destructive storms, drainage issues, and diseases. After almost 30 years of enthusiastically gardening outdoors, I opted to bring my hobby into a more controlled environment last year. I have not regretted it a day since. The new crop of high-tech indoor smart gardens makes it easy to grow everything from lettuce and tomatoes to cauliflower and nasturtiums right in your kitchen, living room, or anywhere you have a few square feet of space.
I have tested more than a dozen of the most popular systems over the past 12 months in my own home, putting them through at least one full growing cycle to see how easy they are to run and maintain, and how much power they consume. I also score them on how easy it is to “reset” after each crop, as you’d be surprised how much work it is to clean some of these. My latest update to our guide includes a new microgreens planter, as well as information on real-life yields, placement considerations, and ongoing ownership costs.
