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turn fresh produce year - unit of ammunition is difficult without a greenhouse . Yet many homeowners do n’t have the place or funds to ramp up one , which is why indoor hydroponic arrangement have become democratic in late years . Thebest hydroponic systemsallow user to grow fresh Green and other produce in little spaces without the pauperization for soil or even sunlight .
TheLettuce turn Farmstandis one such hydroponic system . I tested Lettuce Grow ’s large Farmstand model , which grows 36 full - size of it plants in just 4 square pes of space . I tested it in two locations in my home : in a client sleeping room during the summer , and in a small garage during the winter .
Photo: Jenn Ryan for Bob Vila
I recommend this organisation because of its calibre , how easy it makes growing plants , and its well - construct sustainable stuff , such as reprocess ocean - bound plastic . As one of the largest indoor hydroponic system uncommitted , it also countenance me to grow plenty of fresh greens for my whole family .
Lettuce Grow the Large Indoor Farmstand with Glow Rings: At a Glance
Rating:9/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Lettuce Grow hydroponic system at :
What is the Lettuce Grow Farmstand?
TheLettuce Grow Farmstandis a freestanding hydroponic system of rules . The Farmstand comes in several unlike sizes , but I tested the largest model , which measures 79 inches high and 22 column inch in diameter and grows 36 full - size of it plant . However , the organization can be adjusted to grow as few as 18 plants by removing the top sections and sparkle rings .
Made with recycled ocean plastic , the Farmstand consists of a 20 - gal water reservoir that sit down on the story and multiple top sections that twist together with the rotary lead faint attachment ( called Glow Rings ) to form the plant - growing body . A moldable pipe unravel through the middle of the organization to mizzle water over the plants and back down into the man-made lake .
Two disjoined corduroys tie the lights and water pump to separate timer . I set the light timekeeper to be on for 17 hours a day , which is what the manufacturer recommend to get optimum plant emergence with this model . I set the watering ticker to go off for 15 minutes three times a twenty-four hours , which is less frequent than what themanufacturer ’s instructions recommend , but I find it worked well for my purposes . The legion cords and bulky timers are one drawback to this system , as they make it less attractive than other large hydroponic system .
Photo: Jenn Ryan for Bob Vila
Assembling the Lettuce Grow Farmstand
Despite its sizing , the Farmstand is surprisingly easy to piece . Each section twists into the other to lock , and the cord for the Glow Rings necessitate to be unite to each add surgical incision . A undestroyable plastic tube , which runs through the center of the system , connects to the water system ticker that rests at the bottom of the man-made lake .
Although most section were childlike to assemble , I found that some were difficult to turn out and lock into property , requiring a bit more elbow grunge . I was able-bodied to gather the organisation by myself in about an hour , and the only extra creature I needed was a dance step run to land up assembling the very top of the organisation .
The Farmstand let in both printed and digitally accessible instructions . I appreciated this , as I prefer to have paper instructions to advert to when assembling to minimize the hazard of dropping or lose my phone .
How to Use the Lettuce Grow Farmstand
Thanks to its robotic timers and self - watering capabilities , theFarmstandis simple to practice . It also come with 36 seedling ( plant that have already sprouted and are ready for the scheme ) . This was a bonus , as I did n’t have to wait a few calendar week for plants to sprout and arise strong enough roots to put them in the scheme — everything was quick to go out of the box .
Once I filled up the water reservoir , set the timers , and added plant food for thought , the system was in full operation . No app access code is required to use the system of rules , either . In fact , unlike other hydroponic system , the Farmstand operates off of mechanical timer , so internet approach is n’t required to operate the system . However , this is also a bunko , as the light and lacrimation schedule can not be align when you ’re out from household . get the option for app - controlled light and water system schedule would be ideal .
The system does n’t demand any particular sustentation outside of adding flora solid food , top off the water reservoir once a week , and , of course , harvesting plants as they mature .
One drawback is that when plants get large enough , the leaves can press against the luminance and become discolored . However , I ’ve find this is a plebeian issue with indoor hydroponic system and can be minimized with unconstipated plant life harvesting and pruning .
Although I did n’t try out the organization out of doors , the Farmstand is designed for indoor and outdoor use . For outdoor enjoyment , gardener require to remove the Glow Rings and ensure the system is placed in an area close to a power outlet ( to power the pee pump ) and with enough sunshine to raise the plant .
Thanks to this system ’s modular conception , gardeners also have the selection to remove top sections and their corresponding Glow Rings to make the system small . I in person did not test the arrangement this way , though .
Does the Lettuce Grow make growing plants easy?
Because the plants arrive already sprout and quick to go , theLettuce farm Farmstandis a hydroponic organisation that ’s ideal for people who typically have trouble growing plants . There ’s no need to germinate seeds , thin flora , or transplanting seedling . All I needed to do was place the little seedling in their cup and pop them into the Farmstand ’s body .
The seedlings make it in perfect circumstance , and even though I needed to delay transplanting a third of them by several weeks , they endure and still seem slap-up when I transplant them . Not a single plant died during the growing process , which is something I have n’t found with other hydroponic systems .
Since the plants arrive pre - sprouted , they uprise quickly once they ’re inside the Farmstand . I also found that they lived for a long time , even with regular harvest . After several month , many of the original plants that come with the system are still grow warm and show no signs of slacken down .
Photo: Jenn Ryan for Bob Vila
That being say , another con to this system is that its circular shape make believe harvest home plants hard if the system is placed against a wall , which is how I tested it in both of my positioning . It was hard to reach plants that were faithful to the paries . However , Lettuce Grow does sella dollythat is designed for easy gyration and crusade of the system , though I have n’t examine it myself .
The Lettuce Grow is also unmanageable to move . During testing , I move it to a unlike location , but the water reservoir is grievous and made the process cumbersome . Rather than attempting to lift it or empty the reservoir to make it wakeful , I found it was easiest to move it by placing a tarpaulin beneath it and sliding it across the ground .
I like the fact that the system does not require Wi - Fi . If my cyberspace goes down , the organization still reliably waters itself and turn the lights on and off agree to the timers . However , gardeners who jaunt oftentimes or are away from home a lot might prefer a scheme that is controlled via an app , such asthe Gardyn 2.0 . With the Farmstand , app access is optional . The app does n’t give nurseryman the ability to master water and wakeful schedules , but it can provide admonisher about harvesting , replenishing the plant food for thought , and topping off the H2O man-made lake .
Photo: Jenn Ryan for Bob Vila
Another thing I did n’t like about the Lettuce Grow was the cord . As I mentioned , there are two separate cord , one for the light and one for the water heart , which gives the organisation a mussy look . Although there is a corduroy holder on the front design to make the system look a little neater , it did not play well during my testing — the cord only popped out .
Is the Lettuce Grow Farmstand worth the money?
TheLettuce Grow Farmstandmodel that grows 36 plants retail for $ 1,373 . This price include :
Although the monetary value is high , this kit get with everything cultivator want to get started . Despite its telling size and plant mental ability , I was surprised by how easy the system of rules was to set up up on my own . There ’s also no maintenance required except for tot plant food , transcend off the water reservoir weekly , and harvesting plants as they grow .
Users have the option to purchase extra seedlings when it ’s time to grow more flora . However , because of the terms of the seedling , I did n’t do this . Instead , I purchase some mineral fleece square block and germinate my own semen in the Lettuce Grow basket , which worked just as well , although purchasing the seedlings from Lettuce Grow is the easier option .
Should you buy the Lettuce Grow Farmstand?
For people who have limit blank and gardening knowledge but desire to develop a full garden , the Lettuce Grow Farmstand is deserving the cost . With the power to grow 36 full - sizing plants in just 4 square feet of blank space and amount complete with light , seedling , and a pH trial outfit and adjuster , the Farmstand includes everything user need to get started growing .
With the Lettuce Grow , I noticed less plant crowd than with the Gardyn 2.0 . Even when the plant grew large , there was less fortune of them obstruct each other from sluttish and stunting plant life growth , which is a common yield with the Gardyn organisation . The Lettuce Grow also offer a big growing capacitance than the Gardyn : 36 plants compare with 30 .
I also get it on that the Farmstand is made with high - timbre materials . equate with other hydroponic system I tested , it did n’t feel slight . Each component of the system of rules felt durable and strong . It ’s also made with recycled ocean - bound charge card and follow in 100 percent reclaimable packaging , making it more eco - favorable .
Where to Buy the Lettuce Grow Farmstand
Meet the Tester
Jenn Ryan is a writer and sustainability enthusiast who has been writing for BobVila.com since 2020 and has been an organic nurseryman since 2015 . Jenn drop a line about eco - friendly and sustainable solutions and product for BobVila.com as well as numerous other publication , including Popular Mechanics . She takes a detailed access to survey products and debate the value they sum for the money as well as the materials used for sustainability and overall eco - friendliness .
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