From top to bottom (basil, lettuce, peppers). I planted all of them on April 7, and this photo was taken on May 10, just a month later.
Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to give up on your gardening dreams. In fact, there are still ways to have a little garden even if you live in an apartment or a townhome like me!
A great small-space solution that I’ve found has been the Click and Grow indoor garden, which is a compact, soil-based system. This is especially great if you don’t have a backyard for gardening.
The Click and Grow fits easily on any countertop or table (depending on the size you get – I’ll get into that in this blog post), provides its own light, and lets you grow herbs and greens year-round with very little effort.
To start off, here’s a link to check out the Click and Grow. Ok, let’s get into it!
My History with Indoor Gardens
One of the best gifts I’ve ever given my mom was an indoor garden for her birthday. I think I bought it around the time I first got into gardening myself, and I wanted her to experience the same excitement I was feeling.
It was easy to use and gave her fresh herbs year-round—a big deal in Minnesota! I was amazed how much she could grow in that little garden. It was such a hit, I got a similar one for my brother later on—by then, I was loving my townhome garden and wanted to share that joy with him.
Even if you are only growing your own herbs, having a garden can provide so much satisfaction!
Difference Between Click and Grow and Other Indoor Gardens
Click and Grow is different from many other indoor gardens because it’s not hydroponic.
Most indoor gardens have hydroponic systems where the plants are not in soil and instead interact directly with the water. In these systems, nutrients need to be added to the water for the plants to survive.
In contrast, Click and Grow uses smart soil pods, which:
- Release nutrients gradually
- Maintain ideal moisture levels
- Provide oxygen to the roots
- Mimic healthy outdoor soil
This makes the whole process feel more natural and less technical. You don’t need to measure pH or mix solutions—just fill the water tank and let it do the rest. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the water pump breaking because no water pumps are needed with this system.
The system also features a:
- Built-in LED grow light that runs for 16 hours and turns off for 8 (automatically! So nice to not have to worry about turning on a light everyday).
- Water reservoir that usually needs refilling just once a week.
Click & Grow offers a range of indoor garden sizes depending on your space accommodations and your budget. Whether you want to grow 3, 9, 27, or 51 plants at a time, there are plenty of options. There’s also an option for just a singular plant as well that’s great for flowers.
Growing Herbs Indoors
Personally, I like to use my Click and Grow for herbs more than anything else. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley can be tricky to grow in outdoor containers because they can be sensitive to heat, sun, and water levels.
Growing some herbs inside is awesome so I can free up space outside for more veggies (not to mention I can also have them year-round).
Even though outdoor conditions can be tough on some herbs, they thrive inside with the Click and Grow system. The smart soil and built-in light create a stable, ideal environment—no scorched leaves or bolting.
I have already used tons of basil that I grew in my Click and Grow for caprese, pasta, bruschetta, lasagna, and more. Now I’m growing a steak seasoning mix that includes parsley, thyme, and cilantro.
Best Indoor Plants for ROI
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, I also recommend herbs for the best return on investment:
- You harvest the leaves continuously, so there’s no wasted space
- Grocery store herbs are expensive and can go bad before you use them
- Harvest only what you need, when you need it
Some of my favorites to grow are: basil, mint, cilantro, thyme, and dill. Click and Grow offers these herbs and more as pre-seeded pods, but they also sell “Grow Anything” pods. These are blank versions filled with smart soil so you can plant any seed you like. It’s great for customizing your garden or trying out other varieties or seeds that you already have.
If you aren’t as worried about an ROI you can grow anything from flowers to several dwarf vegetable varieties and greens.
Great for New Gardeners
Like I mentioned at the beginning, an indoor garden system was one of the best gifts I ever gave my mom for her birthday. It’s fantastic for anyone who’s curious about gardening but doesn’t know where to start. Specifically, I think it is great for three reasons:
- Fail-proof for beginners
- Clean, compact, and attractive
- Fun way to grow food without the stress of traditional gardening
Whether it’s for a friend, a college student, or a family member with a brown thumb, it offers a stress-free way to learn how plants grow.
I also think the Click and Grow is fantastic for those who have a small space like me or who knows how to garden, but would prefer a low maintenance solution.
Thanks for reading along, guys! If you enjoyed this blog post, check out my other gardening blog posts:
- How to Start a Garden on a Budget for Under $100
- Essential and Nice-to-Have Garden Products for Your Perfect Setup
- My Garden Setup: 3 Best Garden Containers for Every Gardener
- Understanding Garden Light and Shade: A Simple Guide
- How to Build a Homemade Trellis Using Cattle Panel
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I feel like it would be so worth it to have year round basil!
Appreciate the honesty. You laid out some limitations, but I can see how it would be awesome to have one! Especially for herbs