Perhaps you’re interested in growing a vegetable garden but don’t have the space or time to do it.
Well, an indoor hydroponic vegetable garden is the perfect solution!
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants with their roots in water rather than soil. And an indoor hydroponic system enables you to grow fresh vegetables indoors all year round, no matter the climate.
Let’s explore how this clever contraption works.
Table of Contents
How does an indoor hydroponic system work?
The indoor hydroponic system uses LED lights (built-in grow lights) and a self-contained water base to grow plants. Essentially, this is a system that automatically waters your vegetables for you.
So, instead of growing vegetables the traditional way, plants grow through hydroponics.
Here’s how it works:
It all starts with the LED lights that shine on your plants from above. The lights are included in the indoor hydroponic kit.
And the growth deck contains small holes where you place your seed pods.
Next, you’ll want to turn on the LED lights.
Now, if you’re only using the LED light, and not supplementing with your room lights, make sure your LED light is turned on to a high setting.
If you’re using the grow light in addition to your room lights, choose a lower setting, depending on how much additional energy you want to use.
Inside the unit’s base is a layer of water that provides the nutrients that your plant needs to grow.
There’s a small pump at the bottom of the base pumping water through the growth deck and back into the base.
When your plant is fully grown, you can harvest it and add in new seed pods to restart the process.
What vegetables can you grow in an indoor hydroponic system?
There’s a wide variety of vegetables that can be grown.
You can use it to grow lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more.
Some systems such as the AeroGarden come with a starter kit that includes everything you need to begin growing fresh vegetables, including seeds.
How long does it take for an indoor hydroponic system to grow vegetables?
After planting your seeds, some will germinate within 24 hours, and others will take a maximum of 4 weeks to sprout.
You can usually produce vegetables within one to three months. So, if you’re growing cherry tomatoes, they may begin to sprout in about six days after planting the seed pods. From then on, it’ll take one to three months for the plants to grow until they’re ready to be harvested.
How do you harvest vegetables from the indoor hydroponic system?
You’ll know that it’s time to harvest your vegetables when they reach full size.
Gently pull at the vegetables and use a knife to cut them free of their pods.
Are indoor hydroponic systems safe to use?
Some people have asked whether these systems are safe to use and are wary of growing vegetables using hydroponics.
One factor about safety is that these systems don’t use chemicals in the water. All you need to do is add nutrients in powder or pellet form every few weeks. The nutrients are then dissolved into the water by the pump.
Consequently, there are no preservatives or other chemicals in your vegetables when you use an indoor hydroponic system. This makes your vegetables healthier and safer to eat.
As previously mentioned, an indoor hydroponic system uses a pump to circulate water from the base up into the growth deck where your plants are, and then back down again. Water circulates through this process several times a day.
Some have also asked whether there is any danger of electrocution when touching the electrical components in the base.
All the electrical components in the system are waterproof, with a casing that protects them from moisture or spills. All you need to do is wipe down the base after each use and unplug the unit when you’re not using it-no more difficult than any other electric appliance.
Where can you buy an indoor hydroponic system?
They are sold in many home improvement stores and nurseries, as well as online.
The prices of the different systems vary depending on the model, but they can range anywhere from as low as $60, upwards to $500 and over.
How much does it cost to run an indoor hydroponic system?
Your electricity bill may go up when you’re running your indoor hydroponic system, but not by too much. Rates will vary by region.
For an example of these costs, take a look at this information about costs associated with various AeroGarden models, in How Much Energy Does The AeroGarden Use? 
Additionally, the cost of replacement nutrients and pods will vary by manufacturer.
Is it just for growing vegetables?
An indoor hydroponic system can be used to grow more than just vegetables. Flowers can be grown, as well as fruits and herbs.
What is an indoor hydroponic system made of?
It’s made up of mostly plastic and metal. It features a plastic outer shell and a metal floor plate.
What is the power source for an indoor hydroponic system?
The grow light runs on electricity, which you plug into a standard wall outlet.
How difficult are they to assemble?
For the most part, indoor hydroponic systems are easy to assemble. Once assembled, you just turn it on, add water, nutrient tablets or powder, and press a button! The garden will then automatically grow your vegetables.
Summary
There’s no need for a green thumb with an indoor hydroponic system – anyone can grow plants in one because all you need to do is plug it in, add water, and plant seeds!
As you can see, an indoor hydroponic system is an option for those who want to grow their vegetables but don’t have access to outdoor space or time.
So, if you’re looking for a way to have a garden year-round, no matter the climate, an indoor hydroponic system is the perfect solution. You can grow fresh vegetables indoors all year long with very little maintenance required. Now is the time to get started.