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Post by aerobob on Jan 15, 2019 8:42:38 GMT -5
Greetings All,
For growing Greens and Herbs (thinking Bok Choy, Arugula, Basil, 4 season lettuce) would 2 Harvests (14 pods but dense) outperform a single Bounty/Ultra/Extra (7-9 pods less dense and more voluminous bowl)?
Really the bowl volume of the bounty/extra/ultra is closer to 3x the size of the harvest - but foot print size (which is what really matters on the counter/shelf) is more like 1 to 2.
Assuming I keep one harvest only for basil, and the other harvest for either only bok choy, arugula or 4 season lettuce:
- There should grow fairly uniform? Should not have out competition issues, if they are all trimmed at the same time?
- They wouldn't have over crowding/density issues in the Harvest? It looks like folks max out their harvests with 7 pods of greens/herbs and not really have issues?
- I would just need to keep on top of the root pruning more than on the bounty/ultra/extra? (weekly exercise vs 1-2x a month with a bounty?)
I plan on doing a large DIY aerovoir (the one aerogarden makes seems too small...and expensive) so water consumption rates/refilling shouldn't be too big of an issue...
I guess another question, that spawns from the above question - Would a greens/herbs pod grown in the bounty (at 9 pods) yield more than a harvest (at 7 pods)?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 9:26:43 GMT -5
Don;t worry about bowls for greens.
To be honest, I prefer a 'crowded' harvest for greens as seen here: There are a lot of plants, but the roots are not in the way at all and I could just as well grow this in a smaller machiine and harvest periodically and sooner and be just fine.At the end of the project, the machine is thoroughly cleaned out of any roots.
To be frank..you will have more fun if you just 'do it'. Again, keep it simple and don;t overthink things.Just plant , learn from DOING and have fun! Worrying about 'keeping on top of root pruning' w/o having planted anything will sap all your fun away,bob.Root pruning is not something that is done regularly in most projects..combined or single in small or tall machines.One just has to grow the seed and learn. Mistakes will be made, but you will know what works for YOU. I am sure other herbies will jump on in and voice their tips about combining in the Harvest, etc, but my strong suggestions is..just plant them , learn, enjoy and showcase your fun projects.
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Post by aerobob on Jan 15, 2019 9:56:52 GMT -5
Don;t worry about bowls for greens.
To be honest, I prefer a 'crowded' harvest for greens as seen here: There are a lot of plants, but the roots are not in the way at all and I could just as well grow this in a smaller machiine and harvest periodically and sooner and be just fine.At the end of the project, the machine is thoroughly cleaned out of any roots.
To be frank..you will have more fun if you just 'do it'. Again, keep it simple and don;t overthink things.Just plant , learn from DOING and have fun! Worrying about 'keeping on top of root pruning' w/o having planted anything will sap all your fun away,bob.Root pruning is not something that is done regularly in most projects..combined or single in small or tall machines.One just has to grow the seed and learn. Mistakes will be made, but you will know what works for YOU. I am sure other herbies will jump on in and voice their tips about combining in the Harvest, etc, but my strong suggestions is..just plant them , learn, enjoy and showcase your fun projects.
Thanks for chiming in! I originally striked off the idea of anything smaller than a bounty/ultra/extra because of reading a few grow histories of folks switching from harvests to bountys and being much happier - ranging from root rot because water gets too warm (one guy had 2 replacement harvest sent to him, then they finally sent him a bounty) to issues with the bowl not being of sufficient size and required more watering maintenance (aerovoir to the rescue on that one)...and then peppers/tomatoes/eggplants - those will be limited (at least for me) to the bounty/ultra/extra units...however I put harvests back on the radar, since many of the issues folks were having with the harvests seem addressable (Thanks to the experience/wisdom posted on this forum!) and (on paper) seems it would have higher productivity yields (per sq inch) than a bounty As much as I would like to experiment, I need the first grow to be an overwhelming success (thank you all for your patience in answering my questions!) - and I really only like to purchase equipment once (not having to find out it wasn't optimal then selling it/goodwilling it) Right now, I have a used Space Saver 6, and a new Bounty Elite and a used Extra LED on the way - I think the bounty and extra will be tied up with the 3 heirloom tomato pods (two in the Bounty, 1 in the Ultra) that the seller included with the SS6 (SS6 will live under cabinets 3 ft from the stove - planning basil for that one) - I want some greens at the same time (and have enough space for 2 more bountys or 1 farm or a few harvests) - was planning on weighing the pros/cons for each solution (if I wanted to max out the space left - 4 harvests vs 2 bounty units vs possibly 1 farm) based on everyone's collective knowledge and experience :-) |
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Jan 15, 2019 10:02:52 GMT -5
Depending on how much "greens" you want will determine the machine you use. I do not mind dense gardens for my lettuce.
It is personal preference on what you use each machine for. You also need to take into consideration if the plant will be 12" or less or more. If higher then 12" then a tall machine is lower then 12" then any machine. Other then that just plant and enjoy.
I have only trimmed roots many months in and that was for my peppers. One one flower project I needed to trim roots. If you turn the pods every few days that helps form a soft root ball and helps contain roots.
For ME I like the Harvests for my flowers and herbs. I like the Ultra for flowers and lettuce and cukes. I like my Bounty's for peppers. But everyone is different. You will learn as you grow.
Most of all HAVE FUN with it   |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 15, 2019 10:04:29 GMT -5
Also, work with the machines you have now before purchasing more. YOu do not want to burn out before you get started. You may find what you have is plenty for now.
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