Home growing systems are nothing new, (just look at the Microgarden system from InFarm), but SproutsIO by Jennifer Broutin and MIT Media Lab is a particularly contemporary, smart version. The parts are easy to put together, and don't take up too much space so it's perfect for small urban homes. It also comes with a mobile app that allows for environmental monitoring of different types of plants and automation for optimal watering, lighting and nutrient delivery. In your absence, the networked connectivity allows multiple systems and users, whilst the built-in cameras mean you can facetime with your plants to check their progress, or if you're the type to talk to plants.

SproutsIO uses an aerophonic growing method that provides plants with nutrients via mist and air, using 98% less water and 60% less fertiliser than traditional procedures. A single SproutsIO pot can produce six times the amount of food as a similar sized soil pot, with units being placed all over your home to make best use of the available sunlight and space. We recently saw Edyn by Jason Aramburu, a solar powered home growing system that connects your garden to your smartphone. These kinds of developments within home farming are enabling us to take control over what we eat, avoiding the rising costs of organic, local food by producing our own minus the hassle.