Best products from r/aerogarden

Hey, thanks for stopping by and asking! I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge:

• I think getting two Harvest models would be a good idea for what you want to grow. They have enough pod spaces and light power to get you a lot of plants really fast. Note that the salad green kits will grow to maturity much faster than the herbs, but everything will grow SO much faster than soil :)
  
  
• I don't have any personal experience with the Harvest models, but here are some good comparison charts for all Aerogarden models.
  
  
• You can definitely plant your own rosemary seeds in a "Grow Anything" seed pod kit. My best guess as to why they don't sell rosemary pods is that it is a very very slow plant. It germinates incredibly slowly, and its growth is just as slow. It probably didn't make sense to put it in an herb kit where everything grew much faster.
  
  
• I am not sure about the lettuce and kale compatibility, sorry! I had great success with the Heirloom Salad Greens kit, though. Some pics here.
  
  Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions, and if you end up buying an Aerogarden, we'd love to see your progress pics! Happy gardening!

So here is where I am at now. I returned the original bulb adapters because the lights would flash when they are turned off. I ordered these ones off ebay instead: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251734464510?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

FYI these are the bulbs that I purchased: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DBRET3M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Guess what? The same thing happens!!!!

So I spent quite a while trying to diagnose this and I discovered the following things...

If I use all 3 of those LED bulbs, anywhere between 1 and 3 of them flash whenever the lights are supposed to be off. If put in 2 of those bulbs and 1 Aerogarden original bulb, then the Aerogarden bulb will flash and the LEDs remain off. If I have 2 Aerogarden bulbs and 1 LED, then everything is good.

I then tried a different LED bulb in 1 socket and 2 of those LED bulbs linked above and it worked. The problem being is that the 3rd bulb that I am using is not the correct style of light for growing (3000k and 800lumens, but it was all I had to work with). So I have it set like that currently, but I am planning to try to find another LED with the correct specifications to fill that 3rd spot and hopefully it will work. I may just forget about the lumens and buy a bulb with the correct color. I think there are more than enough lumens on the 2 bulbs in there currently.

This exercise has been WAY more complicated than I could have ever imagined. I would love to hear from an electrician though or someone else that could explain why this is happening...

I’m also growing bok choy with grow anything pods.

They germinate super quickly (2 days for me) and you can get 100s of seeds for a few dollars. I don’t really see the need to pay extra for the pre-seeded pods if you know you’re growing something that will germinate and grow well hydroponically.

I planted 6 seeds in 3 pods and only one failed to sprout and I have to cull one anyway so no loss.

If you’re ambitious you can get a 50-pack and it works out to $1 a pod before seeds. Then you can have some fun being choosy about what you plant. This is what I have going right now with an excellent germination rate.

The only major word of warning is that you need to make sure you iron the label onto the top of the basket. If you skip this step you’ll be looking at major mold.

Assuming you are using Bounty/Extra/Ultra - it looks like the Lights on those take astandard 2 prong electronics cord that can be directly plugged into the wall (I tested with multimeter on my bounty that it puts out/passes 120v AC) - What happens when you plug the hood by itself (bypassing the base)? - I wonder if it is shorting, and causing the base to trip/power down? Be sure to do this on a GFCI circuit...oh yeah, this suggestion is for entertainment purposes only, not liable for damages ;-)

Holy cow those are expensive! I found these to be much cheaper. The reviews look good too. Thanks for your help!

https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Flo-Coarse-Black-Universal-Filter/dp/B071YNPN9J

I used these in the past. Just cut them into pod sized pieces and then split it halfway down the middle. Put your seed or sprout in there, close it and you're good to go. Definitely safe for your water and flows very well.

Hello!

So I use this for my AG:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TCC46U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then I have a couple of 3" air stones that I got at walmart for cheap.

Make sure you get black tubing, so that light doesn't get in. Also, look into getting a "check valve" for each line so that if your power goes out, water does flow backwards into the pump.

Then I unplugged the basin pump from the back, and have the air stones running 24/7 at a medium setting. I've done this with all of my AG grows (peppers, strawberries, ground cherries, tomatoes, herbs) with success. More oxygen=better.

We utilized sticky tape for a while... but that never worked, and it was a pain to clean.

Our best advice is this product - it has a motion sensor that will spray air loudly and deter our cat from coming near the plants. We positioned it right next to our aerogarden. It’s a bit expensive, but our cat doesn’t go near our garden now... so worth it in my eyes!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DY2U8K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You should be able to order from US amazon even if you're UK. Here's what I use. You might need to get creative to work around localization but my fiance orders from jp.amazon.com and uses an intermediary to ship it to the US.

Most of the newer aerogarden plastic cages can be reused if you're careful and transplant early enough. I reuse mine all the time. Or you can cut it free from all the roots when you restart a garden.

If you're going to use a different nutrient make sure it's made hydroponic systems, as outdoor fertilizers intended for soil don't typically have the same nutrients or the same ratios. I would also suggest using an ec and ph meter.

I use Fox Farms range of nutrients. The one aerogarden supplies is well balanced though and designed for ease of use.

Those are regular sized eggplant plants, a very tasty variety however! But the plants won’t be miniature at all. Let me try to find you a miniature type that could grow in an Aerogarden on Amazon. I’ll edit once found.

Here you go! Eggplants do pretty darn well with Aeroponics and hydroponics, the size of the plants and fruit really is all I would worry about using an Aerogarden. These should do just fine for you!

I got them from Amazon 1100 Baby Bok Choy Seeds - Delicious Chinese Vegetable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07467RN43/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_Nf8gNWXOC4Ncb

https://www.amazon.ca/Miracle-Gro-AeroGarden-970293-0000-Sponges-50-Pack/dp/B008DY2U8K/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=aerogarden+pods&qid=1564787727&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Free with Prime for 2-day shipping?

I’m quite new too, this was actually much easier than anticipated. basically I just did this method. https://youtu.be/ngWil3np7-A only difference was I put some pieces of banana peel on top of the newspaper (potassium for the tomatoes) and I didn’t use all that worm casting bone whatever soil mix. the tricky part was taking the tomatoes out of the aerogarden, because they were fully grown and have been fruiting for weeks. I thought for sure I’d need to give the roots a haircut, but I actually managed to squeeze them through the hole without cutting them (so it can be done) then I had to cut off the plastic cone from around the root-stem bit by bit.

I planted mint and basil I got from a local nursery on top, because they make good companion plants for tomatoes according to the internet, and as Abraham Lincoln once said, “you can always trust everything you read on the internet.”

...May have been easier if I’d done it when they were younger, but basically I got tired of the tomatoes in the aerogarden, was itching for something new, but I didn’t wanna kill them just to switch garden production. I ’m working on strawberries now in one harvest, and waiting on bambino eggplant seeds for the other (I’m trying to push the limits of these machines)

Only indoor restrictions I would say is weight. Mines in a brick wall, so it’s sturdy, but if you try this inside without that, you’ll need to be sure to drill the hook into a stud at least (I’d think).

Here’s the hook and basket I used. The basket’s nice cause it has a hole right In the bottom middle. I’d recommend the 12” cause these 10” ones I’m using are a bit too small, and I’m repotting tomorrow into larger 12” ones. My hope is they will grow larger than they ever could in the aerogarden.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07QFZQPHV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image (bought 2 of these)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07LG3SYCX?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image (this is a 2 pack)

I also had to use a masonry drill bit, (brick wall) and the masonry screws were a bit too big for the hooks base, so I basically used my masonry drill bits, sequentially from smaller to larger, to make the hole a bit bigger until the screw fit... and I broke one of my bits :( . If you do have a brick wall (I dono who’ll see this in the future) you HAVE to be sure to drill into the MORTAR and NOT the brick itself. You WILL crack and destroy your brick, huge chunks will break off... very ugly... the previous tenants in this apartment apparently made that mistake.

not sure if it counts as DIY, but i've been using the General Hydroponics nutrients with no issues. It does mean that you will need to adjust the pH after you mix the nutrients. You dont have to do this with the miracle grow nutrients.

Yeah you could buy this:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerStation24-Efficiency-Green-Energy-Spectrum/dp/B00RHOL66Y/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1513117172&sr=8-12&keywords=led+aerogarden

Although at $30 per bulb it's rather expensive. Not sure if there's any cheaper alternatives though. I would definitely research it a bit.

BTW the item mentions 100340 model, but it's also compatible with 100629.

https://i.imgur.com/Dynohw8.jpg

You’ll need a TDS meter that has a temperature autocorrect feature. You just stick in the water and swirl it around a bit. It’ll tell you how many dissolved solids are in your water measured in parts per million (ppm).

You can measure your water source directly to get an idea of TDS levels in your water before nutrients.

Standard AeroGarden nutes would measure about 650-675 ppm for a full dose (third feeding and beyond). That’s around the target you’re looking for with whatever nutrients you choose to use. You can go higher or lower depending on what you’re growing, the maturity of your plants and the size of your tank. But until you get a feel for it I’d try to get a TDS measurement around 650ppm. A variance of +/- 50ppm is probably okay.

Edit

Here’s the TDS meter I use. It works just fine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DWP6TGQ?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I ordered it on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016AXFE7O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

120 Sponge Refills for Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N24LE52