# Hassle-Free Hydroponic Systems The Urban Cultivator Makes Growing Greens Year-Round Simple By Michael Hines | Published 2012-02-01 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-cultivator References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/urban-cultivator-computer-controlled-hydroponics/21272/) & [urbancultivator.net](http://www.urbancultivator.net/) The Urban Cultivator is an [enclosed hydroponic system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponics-garden) designed to make it easier for those living in inclement weather to [grow their own veggies and herbs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auk-mini) year-round. The Urban Cultivator is about the size of a dishwasher and is self-controlled requiring only a dose of organic fertilizer once a week and a water hookup. The Urban Cultivator comes in two styles: [kitchen and commercial](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-greenhouse-is-your-kitchen). The kitchen model comes in two sizes and is meant to feed a family. The commercial model is bigger and is meant to be used by restaurants looking to cut their vegetable and herb spending. The kitchen version sells for $2,200 whereas the commercial model goes for $6,000. This may seem like a steep price to pay, but it could end up being a steal in the long run as fresh and organic veggies still cost a pretty penny. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Hydroponic Gardening:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more affordable and compact hydroponic systems for home use, making it accessible to a wider audience. - **Indoor Farming:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create scalable and efficient systems for large-scale indoor farming in urban areas, reducing the need for long-distance transportation of fresh produce. - **Sustainable Agriculture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced hydroponic systems that use renewable energy sources and minimize resource consumption, contributing to a more sustainable food production system. ### Who This Affects Most - **Home Appliance:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate hydroponic systems into household appliances, such as refrigerators or kitchen islands, allowing for seamless integration into daily life. - **Restaurant:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design and market hydroponic systems specifically tailored for commercial kitchens, enabling restaurants to grow their own fresh produce in a compact and controlled environment. - **Agriculture Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop smart hydroponic systems that utilize artificial intelligence and data analytics to optimize plant growth and increase crop yields. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Automated Commercial Kitchen Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instafarm.md) - [App Controlled Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-farm.md) - [Indoor Hydroponic Smart Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rise-gardens-indoor-device.md) - [Soil-Free Garden Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garden-system.md) - [Automated Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-evergrow.md) - [Indoor Gardening Planters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-fieldhouse.md) - [In-House Gardening Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at-home-gardening.md) - [Architecture-Inspired Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetment-vegetable-cultivator.md) - [Small Space Hydroponic Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aerospring-pinch-hydroponic-system.md)