If you’re anything like me, you’re eagerly anticipating the start of the spring planting season. Normally I’m out in the cold tending to the half-frozen plants in my raised beds and unheated greenhouse, but this year I decided to start a Kratky hydroponic growing system indoors in my basement. The Kratky system is one of the best ways to grow indoors during the cold season, and it’s a great method for beginners and for those who don’t have a lot of resources to spend on gardening. With a few simple tools you can grow a lot of food inside your home, garage, or shed, and best of all, you don’t have to deal with most of the problems that gardeners face when growing plants outdoors, including pests and unpredictable weather conditions.

Winter gardening often feels like an uphill battle. Shorter days, unpredictable weather, and freezing temperatures can leave even the most dedicated gardeners feeling limited in their options. Traditional outdoor gardening during the cold season demands careful planning, the right tools, and often a considerable investment in cold-weather infrastructure like greenhouses or row covers. For many growers, it’s just not feasible—but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on harvesting fresh, homegrown produce.