HomeGrower is an independent UK website dedicated to practical gardening, indoor growing and becoming more self-sufficient at home.
I’m Mike, the founder and editor of HomeGrower. The website grew out of my own interest in growing food, testing equipment and finding practical ways to become more self-sufficient.
Today, HomeGrower covers indoor and outdoor growing, grow lights, greenhouses, garden tools and equipment, alongside solar generators, home backup power and other aspects of household self-sufficiency. The focus is on practical advice, useful comparisons and honest reviews to help readers make informed decisions.
Testing in Real Conditions
This is one of my indoor growing setups, where I test LED grow lights and observe how plants perform under different conditions.
Practical testing is an important part of HomeGrower. I aim to go beyond product specifications and share what equipment is actually like to use.
What HomeGrower Covers
HomeGrower has developed into a practical resource for anyone interested in growing food, improving their garden and becoming more self-sufficient.
The website covers indoor growing, hydroponics, LED grow lights, greenhouses, outdoor gardening and garden equipment. It also explores home energy independence, including solar generators, portable power stations and preparing for power cuts.
Although the subjects vary, the underlying approach is the same: practical advice, realistic expectations and equipment recommendations that make sense for UK homes and gardens.
Hands-On Experience & Product Testing
Product specifications don’t always tell the whole story. A grow light may promise impressive coverage, a cordless tool may advertise excellent battery life, and a portable power station may claim long runtimes. What matters is how well these products actually perform in everyday use.
I’ve tested LED grow lights from Mars Hydro, Spider Farmer and ViparSpectra while growing tomatoes, chillies and herbs. I’ve also used hydroponic growing systems, tested Worx cordless garden tools and evaluated portable power stations, including the Anker SOLIX S2000, for solar charging and household backup power.
I particularly value practical observations such as plant growth, electricity consumption, battery runtime, ease of maintenance and problems that only become apparent through actual use. Where possible, my reviews include original photographs, measurements and results.
How I Research & Review Products
Not every product featured on HomeGrower has been personally tested. Some buying guides are based on research using manufacturer specifications, product documentation, independent information and customer experiences.
I believe it’s important to distinguish between products I’ve actually used and those I’ve researched. In hands-on reviews, I explain what I’ve tested, share my observations and highlight any limitations or problems I’ve encountered.
When comparing products, I consider practical performance, suitability for UK homes, build quality, efficiency, running costs and overall value for money.
I also revisit articles as new models appear, specifications change and further testing becomes available. My aim isn’t simply to recommend the most expensive equipment, but to help readers choose products appropriate for their needs and budget.
How HomeGrower Is Funded
HomeGrower is independently operated and supported partly through affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
These commissions help cover the costs of running the website, researching products and purchasing equipment for testing.
Affiliate relationships don’t guarantee positive recommendations. I aim to highlight both strengths and weaknesses, explain when a product may not be suitable and suggest more affordable alternatives where appropriate.
A Practical Approach to Self-Sufficiency
I don’t believe becoming more self-sufficient requires a large garden, expensive equipment or a completely off-grid lifestyle.
Small improvements can make a meaningful difference, whether that’s growing herbs indoors, collecting rainwater, producing more of your own food or keeping essential appliances running during a power cut.
HomeGrower is an ongoing project. As I experiment with new growing methods, test equipment and gain more practical experience, I’ll continue sharing what works, what doesn’t and what I think is worth considering.