Hydroponic Gardening
Imagine stepping into your kitchen any time of the year and picking fresh cilantro, tomatoes, kale, peppers, strawberries, or even cucumbers right off the vine. Sounds like a dream, right? That’s exactly the kind of magic that indoor hydroponic gardening has brought into my life, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
I’m Amy, creator behind gardensupplement.com, where I focus on healthy eating and weight loss — particularly for those of us over 50. Recently, I’ve discovered a game-changing way to ensure fresh, nutrient-packed produce year-round without relying on the whims of the weather or spending hundreds on outdoor gardening experiments that go nowhere. And let me just say: it is fun.
Here’s my review of Gardyn, an indoor hydroponic system, and how I’ve been able to grow lush, beautiful greens right in my kitchen, no green thumb required.
If you are interested on Desert Gardening, you can check our post about it!
Discovering Indoor Gardening in My 50s
I’ll be honest: gardening and I have had a rocky relationship. I’ve tried keeping outdoor gardens for years, but more often than not, they’ve turned into expensive failures. Living in Utah where the growing season is short and unpredictable, I’ve had summers where we spent $150-plus on seeds, soil, and supplies, only to be left with a sad handful of tomatoes or the occasional zucchini. This summer? Nothing. It was a total bust.
After that, I pretty much gave up on outdoor gardening. Sure, I love fresh produce, but I figured between farmers’ markets and grocery store shelves, I’d be better off accepting those options rather than fumbling through another attempt. Then I discovered Gardyn — spelled with a “Y” — and thought, “Why not?”
The idea of having an indoor garden that doesn’t rely on traditional soil and can thrive in any part of the house without needing a ton of natural sunlight? It was intriguing. So, I took the plunge.
What Is the Gardyn System?
Gardyn is a hydroponic gardening system designed specifically for indoor use. If you’re unfamiliar with hydroponics, don’t worry. It’s not complicated. Hydroponics means growing plants without soil, using water mixed with nutrients to grow plants more efficiently. It’s clean, it’s low-maintenance, and best of all: it works.
The Gardyn system is vertical and fits easily against a wall, which is ideal if space is an issue. Even better, it’s self-watering. This system holds 5 gallons of water in its base, and once you fill it up, it distributes the water to the plants for days, even while you’re away on vacation. The built-in LED lights automatically turn on and off based on the plant’s light schedule, providing a steady 12-16 hours of light during the day and a rest period at night. Since the lights are independent of actual sunlight, you don’t have to place it by a window. You can put it in a basement, a dark office, or a kitchen corner — wherever it fits best in your lifestyle.
For me, I initially kept the Gardyn in my office where it provided much-needed light during the day (hello, Seasonal Affective Disorder relief!). Recently, I moved it into my kitchen so we could use the produce more easily, and let me tell you: every time I walk by, I give it some attention. It’s nice to have everything I need right there.
Setting Up the Gardyn
I started my Gardyn back in August, unsure if it would “take.” My abysmal track record with outdoor gardening made me a little skeptical at first, but the setup was straightforward. It only took about 30 minutes to put everything together — I just added water to the base, plugged the system in, and popped in the pods (they call them “yPods”). The Gardyn system does need maintenance, but it’s so minimal you wouldn’t even notice.
Why I’m Loving Hydroponic Gardening
Produce on Demand
One huge benefit of indoor hydroponic gardening is the freshness of the produce. I’m talking kale, green beans, and tomatoes at your fingertips every day. There’s nothing that can compare to knowing your salad greens were alive and thriving just minutes before they landed on your plate.
Low Maintenance
Unlike outdoor gardens, there’s no need to fight pests, weeds, or unpredictable weather with hydroponics. Plus, since the water supply is self-regulating, you don’t need to worry about over- or under-watering. I refill the 5-gallon water tank about once a week, and the rest of the watering happens on its own.
Simple Lighting with Benefits
One unexpected benefit of the LED lights? It’s like having your own mini-sun in the house. That steady stream of bright light made such a difference when I had the Gardyn in my office. If you struggle with the winter blues or just miss the brightness of summer, having your indoor garden nearby could bring back some of that energy.
Accessible and Easy to Monitor
Having the Gardyn in a high-traffic area is key. Unlike my outdoor garden that I had to go out of my way to check on, I’m constantly walking by this indoor setup. That means I’m much more likely to prune, harvest, and just give it some extra attention. It’s like having a pet plant family that you actually take care of because you see it all the time! Plus, the plants thrive with regular trimming and babying, so it’s a win-win.
How to Keep Your Indoor Garden Thriving
While the Gardyn system is nearly foolproof, a little regular care can take your hydroponic garden to the next level. Here are some tips I’ve picked up:
Regular Pruning and Thinning
Yes, it’s hard to thin out those extra shoots when your plants start sprouting. You might feel like you’re killing off potential (I know I did), but you’re not. In fact, thinning out the weaker sprouts makes the others grow stronger and healthier. For example, I thinned my peppers down to one sprout — and look how strong the remaining plant has become!
The same goes for your greens. If you harvest around the edges first and move inward, you’ll encourage your plants to keep growing.
Trim Those Roots
One thing I learned from browsing hydroponic Facebook groups is that roots in these systems tend to spread. As they begin to grow out of the pod, don’t be afraid to trim them back or gently tuck them back inside. It helps keep the setup neat and prevents overcrowding.
Mastering Water pH
Testing the water’s pH level is an easy way to make sure your plants stay happy. I grabbed some cheap pH strips and aim to keep the water between 5.5 and 6.5, which seems to be the sweet spot. Seriously, it’s as simple as testing pool water, and it makes all the difference in plant health.
My Top Hydroponic Gardening Successes
In just two months of using the Gardyn, I’ve been blown away by how much produce I’ve harvested.
Tomatoes: They’re growing like crazy. I never imagined I’d be getting this many tomatoes indoors, but here I am with vine after vine.
Cucumbers: Yes, cucumbers. I didn’t expect them to thrive like they have, but they’re doing incredibly well. They’ve been a pleasant surprise.
Greens: The greens, especially kale, are producing so much that I’ve been making massive salads practically every day. The fresh flavor is unbeatable, and I’m genuinely impressed with how well the greens have taken to the system.
Kitchen Creations from the Garden
I can’t talk about my indoor garden without mentioning how I’ve used all these fresh ingredients in the kitchen. Some standout creations so far:
- Mint: I made a protein-packed mint chocolate chip ice cream using real mint leaves. It was divine.
- Cilantro: We had tacos one night, and I made cilantro rice and a cilantro-based dressing — enough to feed 12 people — and the plant still had plenty left after that.
- Dill: I’ve been using the dill in everything from egg salad to green salads, and it adds a nice fresh flavor that kicks my recipes up a notch.
The Learning Curve and Challenges
Even total newbies can succeed with this hydroponic system, but there are still a few things to learn along the way. I’ve spent a lot of time on Facebook groups and Reddit communities for hydroponic gardening, which have been great for advice on everything from pruning to troubleshooting common issues. If you’re thinking about trying indoor gardening, I’d definitely recommend joining these groups — not only for tips but to see what other amazing things people are growing.
One experiment I’m still waiting on is strawberries. They’re coming along, but I’m hesitant to say they’re a slam dunk yet. It’s a learning process, but I’m excited to see what happens next.
Is Hydroponic Gardening Worth It Financially?
I’ll admit: when I first started, I was staggering a little at the initial investment for the Gardyn system. It’s not cheap, but here’s the thing — neither is outdoor gardening when you factor in all the equipment and seeds (not to mention the time spent). Plus, nothing lasts beyond the season in outdoor gardening. But with Gardyn, the investment keeps paying off.
If you treat this as part of your grocery budget — because, essentially, you’ll be buying fewer greens and veggies every week — it starts to make sense. Over time, you’ll save on produce, and if you’re harvesting regularly, the system more than pays for itself.
Time to Start Your Own Garden?
If you’ve been thinking about dabbling in hydroponic gardening, I’m here to say: go for it! Whether you’re new to gardening or have a history of killing houseplants, this system is incredibly user-friendly.
The satisfaction of picking fresh produce right from your kitchen is hard to beat, and I can’t wait to see what else I can grow in the coming months.
Have questions about hydroponic gardening? Let me know in the comments or shoot me a message. I’d love to help!
