Living in a city has its advantages. For example, the lack of certain odours that accompany some of the less idyllic aspects of country life – Biff Tannen is not the only one with a marked dislike for manure, after all. But the countryside has its moments, and cities are starting to add more trees and parks and flower beds to the urban landscape. Their residents, meanwhile, are also getting more and more creative at countrifying their homes, from herbs on the windowsill or balcony to keeping bees on rooftop terraces.

So, what’s the latest feature for city dwellers keen on integrating some country living into their lifestyle? A vertical farming ecosystem, aka “Plantcube”, with recycled seed mats, air conditioning and irrigation. The upscale kitchen farmer offers daily harvests of various microgreens, including lettuce, herbs and seedlings, and – possibly its biggest selling point – the Plantcube is pretty much impervious to even the brownest of thumbs. It might not be easy being green, but it can be easy growing greens. Apparently.