[jseliger]

Have you written comprehensively about the system you've set up and how it works? I've thought about a Zipgrow system or similar: https://shop.zipgrow.com/products/small?variant=316809164227..., but, as you can see, it's fairly costly to set up. I don't think it'll be cheaper than the grocery store, but it also seems fun and like the final product may taste better.

[SimianLogic2]

I'm just using a 9-plant Aerogarden Bounty right now (think it was ~$175 on Black Friday). My wife says I can upgrade to an indoor Tower Garden or Lettucegrow if I do 3-4 cycles on this thing without getting bored.

I also built six 4ftx4ft raised (dirt) beds in our back yard a few years back. I plant fairly densely (usually using 1x1 squares for most things, 2x2 for tomatoes) and I'm thinking about trying one of the tower gardens as a replacement for a single 4x4 bed this growing season. It's been a minute since I ran the numbers, but I think you can plant 20-25 plants on one tower vs maybe 4-16 in a single bed and theoretically not have to weed/water as much (but then you get pump maintenance/ph balance/feeding/cleaning instead).

[User7894]

Look at BA Kratky. My variant consists of 10Gal mixing tubs (Lowes $6) a bit of blue dow foam board, toothpicks, and rapid rooter growplugs Barina grow lights. Masterblend, CaCO3, and Epsom salt. Six trays (one per week. Pest pressure and growing season makes leafy greens not practical.

[SimianLogic2]

I think I'm following your build. It seems like Kratky requires a lot more space up-front than an aeroponic system that you refill over time, but it's good to know that I can get even lazier if I clean out some space in the garage.

[Pfhreak]

I haven't written about mine, but I built one using an aquarium pump, a couple of food grade bus tubs (the kind wait staff use to clear restaurant tables), a couple LED panels, and some basic plastic cups. I grow basil, lettuce, bok choy, cilantro, and it doubles as a good setup for getting vegetable starts going in early spring. It was probably a couple hundred bucks to get going, but it's low maintenance and I get produce and herbs on demand.

[Guest19023892]

If you're looking for something more cost effective, you might want to consider building your own with some LED strips and a driver. You can get higher quality components and a lot more power than kits typically sold by companies.

I'm building a 2ftx2ft indoor herb garden for my apartment right now. I found the LEDgardener to be a good resource and forum for getting started.

https://ledgardener.com