I’ve played around with hydroponics to grow weed. You will use electricty for the pumps, and it’s a whole other level of things you have to buy and learn and pay attention to every day to grow anything. If you are doing it inside you have to use a huge amount of electricty for light. Honestly, if it was easy more people would be doing it. 99% of us are relying on that commercial food system almost exclusively to live. If it breaks down and you have a substantial vegetable garden, you better be ready to guard it with a shotgun. I’m not knocking gardening, because I get so much pleasure out of doing it and sharing the fruits of my labors. But most people I know can’t keep a houseplant alive. If tomato heirlooms don’t get you excited, don’t bother. It’s a hobby.