Fresh and Stylish: Exploring Two of the Best Indoor Gardening Systems for Your Home
(I bought all of the mentioned products myself & was not compensated for these opinions or views.)
Indoor gardening is no longer just about practicality; it’s about creating an enjoyable, stylish, and year-round way to grow fresh produce indoors with minimal mess.
In case we haven't met, I’m Jennifer, owner and lead designer at Petals Flower Farm, an urban flower farm specializing in growing organic flowers for floral designs, weddings, and sepcial events. Last winter I was desperatly missing my flower beds and the fresh produce from farmer’s markets. I decided to combat the winter time blues by investing in two indoor growing systems. I have now personally been using both systems for over a year and am happy to report that each offers unique advantages for indoor growers.
The two standout systems I'll explore here are: the Fieldhouse by Leath and the Rise Hydroponic Garden by Rise Gardens, have reimagined indoor growing with a focus on ease of use, aesthetic appeal, and fun.
The Fieldhouse by Leath
Overview
The Fieldhouse by Leath is an elegant microgreen-growing system that fits perfectly into modern homes. Its compact size and minimalist design make it ideal for kitchens or small spaces. The system’s simple setup ensures that even beginners can enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich micro-greens like arugula and broccoli in less than two weeks.
Key Features
Portability: Easily movable to fit your home’s design or adapt to changing needs.
Design: Clean lines and efficient functionality make it a stylish addition to any space.
Price: The starter kit is priced at $375, reflecting the high-quality materials, excellent customer support, and durability of the system.
About the Founders
Something I love about Leath is that its a small business founded by two passionate young people, both named Alex, who wanted to bring a fresh approach to indoor gardening. Their hands-on involvement and dedication to quality are evident in every aspect of the Fieldhouse system. Supporting their brand feels meaningful compared to larger, more corporate competitors.
Flexibility in Supplies
The Fieldhouse uses a cute and versatile growing medium and seed packs called Leathlettes for $8 a pack. While the Leathlettes are adorable and a joy to use, resourceful growers can recreate the system at home using bulk-bought seeds and coir for a more cost-effective option.
The Rise Hydroponic Garden System by Rise Gardens
Overview
The Rise Hydroponic Garden takes indoor gardening to the next level with its stackable, modular design and hydroponic technology. This system can grow a wide variety of produce, including peas, tomatoes, flowers, and large leafy greens, making it incredibly versatile. I call mine "The Spaceship."
Key Features
Setup and Maintenance: The system takes a solid couple of hours to set up and requires complete cleaning every few months. Water management involves moving significant amounts of water, though this can be done using one-gallon containers like milk jugs, or a hose. Mine is set up on a wood floor and while--if used properly--spilling is kept to a minimum, I would not recommend using this system on a wood floor.
Design: Though not portable, its sleek, modern look ensures it’s a beautiful, permanent addition to your home.
Pricing:
Single-level garden: $699
Two-level garden: $949
Three-level garden: $1,199
Subscription Service
The Rise Plus Membership enhances the gardening experience:
Seasonal supply boxes delivered every three months.
Customizable orders and discounts on additional supplies.
Exclusive access to new seed varieties and loyalty rewards.
Membership costs $40 every 90 days for single-level gardens or $75 for larger systems, with annual options available. While this ensures convenience, it is costly and will not provide you with enough seeds to keep the system going at capacity, though you are given a 15% discont on additional seeds purchased through the membership. Personally, I would consider the aannual cost of the membership a part of the system cost as you're going to need seeds to make the system work!
Challenges
Proprietary Pods: Users are tied to Rise’s ecosystem, with pods costing upwards of $12 for a 4-pack. Not all seeds germinate reliably—for instance, my gypsophila and eucalyptus pods all failed, which was a real bummer.
Water: The rise garden takes gallons upon gallons of water to get set up -- then it does most of the work for you. Be prepared to move this water around your house when you do need to fill and empty it.
App: This system works with a handy app that tells you exactly what to do and when. I love it. It's kind of like a gardening game. In fact, I wish it was more like candy crush or farmville in its interface, but that's just me, I like bright colors and fun sounds. If you are someone who hates technology or downloading and using apps, this is NOT the system for you.
Why Choose Indoor Growing?
Ease of Use:
Both systems are designed for hassle-free setup and maintenance, perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Aesthetic Design:
The sleek, modern designs of both systems add a touch of elegance to any home, proving that gardening can be both functional and beautiful.
Year-Round Fun:
Indoor gardening offers a rewarding activity that’s enjoyable even during winter, whether you’re growing microgreens with the Fieldhouse or experimenting with herbs, veggies, and flowers in the Rise Hydroponic Garden.
Minimal Mess:
Say goodbye to soil and garden debris. Both systems provide clean, contained solutions for growing fresh produce indoors.
Considerations on Cost
While both systems tout potential cost savings for your grocery bill, it’s unlikely that you’ll recoup your investment through produce savings alone. The real value of these systems lies in the fun, hands-on, and low-mess experience of gardening indoors, year-round. Both systems provide a fulfilling hobby and the joy of fresh, homegrown produce, which for me makes them worth the investment.
It’s also worth noting that there are certainly cheaper indoor gardening options available that were not explored in this article. I selected the Fieldhouse and Rise Garden because they represent some of the highest-end options in terms of functionality, quality, design, and overall user experience and I have not been disappointed.
Conclusion
Indoor gardening has never been more accessible, stylish, or enjoyable. The Fieldhouse by Leath offers a simple, chic way to grow microgreens, while the Rise Garden caters to those looking to expand their gardening horizons with hydroponics. Both systems bring fresh, homegrown produce to your fingertips, proving that indoor gardening can be as much about fun and design as it is about functionality.
For me, as a professional garden enthusiast, it made sense to invest in both systems and I personally love them both, but if I were unsure or just starting out, I’d recommend the Fieldhouse by Leath as an excellent entry point into the world of indoor gardening.
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