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Because it has not spent days in transit, freshly picked produce tastes brighter and lasts longer.
Many greens are “cut and come again,” so they keep producing after you take leaves. Deschanel has said her kids became more interested in eating vegetables once they could see them growing and pick them themselves. Once plants are established, harvesting is as simple as cutting what you need. The system is designed for people who want food more than the hobby of gardening. Five minutes a week is the usual claim for upkeep. That low bar is what makes it realistic for busy households without a garden or the time and knowledge to tend one. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
That curiosity led her and then-partner Jacob Pechenik to launch Lettuce Grow in 2019. Because the water is reused, the system uses about 95 percent less water than growing the same plants in the ground. Because the system is closed and controlled, weather extremes, poor soil or short growing seasons matter less.
The New Girl star has long talked about wanting fresh food that actually tastes good and comes from a place she trusts. After becoming a parent she started paying closer attention to where produce travels before it hits the plate. Their main product, the Farmstand, is a vertical hydroponic tower that lets people grow food indoors or on a balcony with almost no gardening skill required. Deschanel herself admits she does not have a green thumb. That is exactly why the system exists. Hydroponics means plants grow in water mixed with nutrients rather than dirt. Roots sit in small net cups or similar holders and dip into a circulating nutrient solution. A small pump sends the liquid up a central pipe. Gravity then lets it trickle back down over the roots level by level. A timer keeps the cycle automatic. You do not dig, weed or worry about bad soil. The tower comes in different sizes that can hold anywhere from a dozen to around three dozen plants. Outdoor versions sit on a patio or balcony. Indoor ones add LED light rings so you can keep harvesting through winter or in a dim apartment. One of the biggest hurdles for beginners is germinating seeds. You simply drop the plugs into the openings on the tower. Within two to three weeks many leafy greens are ready to cut. Herbs, cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard and edible flowers are common choices. Deschanel has grown marigolds, rainbow chard and tomatoes in her own setup. An app or simple schedule reminds you when to add more nutrient solution and when plants are likely ready. Maintenance is measured in minutes per week, not hours. Fill the base with water, top up the nutrients occasionally, and the pump and timer handle the rest. The whole point is that you do not need a backyard. The footprint is small enough for a kitchen counter, a sunny windowsill or a narrow balcony. Vertical design means you get the yield of a much larger traditional bed without spreading out. Indoor models with lights work even if natural light is limited. People living alone or in cities often keep a smaller Counterstand version right on the counter so they can snip lettuce or basil as needed instead of watching grocery greens wilt in the fridge. You can move an outdoor tower inside when temperatures drop and keep going year-round.