Indoor Harvest Lab helps you grow real food indoors, with the numbers that actually matter: how much light, what pH and EC, how warm, how many days. Every guide is built on university extension research, peer-reviewed horticulture studies and manufacturer data, and links to those sources so you can check them yourself.
The guides are written by A. Bashar, a professional agricultural scientist (BSc Agriculture, MSc Biotechnology) working in crop research and completing a PhD in plant breeding. The approach is simple: explain why a plant responds the way it does, so you can fix problems on your own setup instead of following rules blindly.
New to growing indoors? Start with these
- What is hydroponics? and the honest answer to is hydroponics worth it?
- The easiest first system: the Kratky method for lettuce without a pump
- The fastest first crop: sprouts in a jar, then microgreens without soil
- Your first windowsill herb: basil or mint
Hydroponics
Pick a system, mix your nutrients correctly, and keep the numbers in range.
- Systems: deep water culture (DWC), NFT, ebb and flow, wick and tower gardens
- Nutrients and pH/EC: mixing nutrient solution, the EC chart for 20 crops, PPM to EC conversion, lowering and raising pH
- Problems: root rot, algae and lettuce tip burn
Microgreens and sprouts
- Get the basics right: seeding density, blackout period and light requirements
- Finish strong: when and how to harvest
- Troubleshoot: mold vs root hairs
Seed starting
- Germinate reliably: the germination temperature chart and paper towel method
- Light seedlings properly: how many hours and how far away
- Fix weak seedlings: leggy seedlings, damping-off and fungus gnats
Indoor edibles
- Herbs: herbs in winter, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, ginger, garlic greens and regrown green onions
- Leafy greens: lettuce under lights
- Fruiting crops: tomatoes, strawberries and overwintering peppers
How we research and write
- Sources first. Extension services, peer-reviewed studies and manufacturer data, linked in every guide.
- Numbers with context. Ranges rather than magic numbers, with what shifts them.
- No invented testing. We never claim hands-on trials that did not happen.
- Corrections welcome. Spot an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
Read our Editorial Policy, Affiliate Disclosure and Terms of Use.