|
|
Post by kissyboots on Nov 26, 2017 14:53:17 GMT -5
Thanks! I got a Sprout with tomato pods yesterday, the rest is en route. Should I do all my lettuce in the harvest and tomatoes in two Sprouts or vice versa? I am obviously eager to plant but I don't know what route to take! Thanks again  Well, my standard solution has always been to buy more Aerogardens, but I have to admit, there are some days that I want my apartment back. I find harvests to be just about perfect for growing lettuce. Of course, I also find them just about perfect for growing the AG cherry tomato kits as well as the AG Mini Jalapeno kits. I haven't been so enthusiastic about the Sprout, but that's just me. I would suggest that once you have a full grown tomato plant (and you'll know because it will outgrow the sprout rapidly), to make sure it gets enough nutrients. How much is enough? Beats me. I've stopped using the Aerogarden nutrients. Would I suggest you use other brand nutrients? Not until you have more confidence, because it really is a pain in the sittie down part to use them. Yes, I don't trust myself to go off recommendations too much yet but I hope my AGing career is long and successful  I now have three Sprouts (counting the one in transit) so I have to strategize my planting. And I have to devote the Bounty to strawberries but I don't know if I'll do that long term or decide to replant other stuff in it ... or buy more AGs. |
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 26, 2017 15:09:06 GMT -5
I think we all have a good time planning on what we're going to plant next in our aerogardens.
I just terminated a project in one of my Extras and am about to transplant something I have sprouted in a Bounty, but is rapidly taking up too much space, needing a home of its own.
I don't know if anyone here has done the strawberry grow kit before. I for one would be really interested in how it works out for you.
Another thing I'm trying to get my head around is how the heck I can grow root vegetables. The closest I've come is a couple of pods of the AG beet greens, which weren't that productive, but when I tore them down, found that each had a little mini-beet.
Obviously, the standard AG pod isn't any way to grow garlic or onions. I suppose I could try in half a year in my Pepper Pot (a non-aerogarden planter) in its 6" net pots, but I'm expecting a few months worth of produce out of what's already planted in that before I tear it down and replant.
As for buying more Aerogardens: I promised to stop at 13 (1 sprout, 5 harvests, 3 extras, 1 ultra and 3 bounties), but... um... Come Wednesday, I should be the proud owner of a new Farm Plus, and while I have no idea where to put that thing, AG went and threw in another harvest, so I'll be at 15.
I really have to up my dosage.
|
|
Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,265 
|
Post by Shawn on Nov 26, 2017 15:26:27 GMT -5
Thanks- I haven't looked too much into water changing because I'm scared to unplug or move anything! And I haven't seen much about AG food so I have to look into it! I didn't think I'd have more than two Sprouts until two days ago, so I probably would have gotten a Harvest instead of Sprout but I ended up with three  I'd love to put the lettuce in the Harvest, but IDK if I will have better luck with the tomatoes in the Harvest than the Sprout. Since the tomatoes and Sprout are here, I'm tempted to just start it tonight! But I want to strategize properly with my weird mix of AGs! Kissy, you don't unplug anything. You just lift the water basin (if a Sprout or Harvest) to empty. For larger Machines, there are hand pumps or this one that Mike turned me on to Find it here on Amazon. When you say AG Food are you talking about the Nutrients you feed the plants? If so, each AG kit comes with Nutrients that we refer to as Nutes. Being I have not grown tomatoes, I would put them in the Harvest. Start your lettuce in the Sprouts since lettuce are fast performers. |
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 26, 2017 16:06:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 26, 2017 16:12:07 GMT -5
And to be clear, I rarely remove the bowl anymore. I just siphon out as much of the old nutes as I can and use one of those Aerogarden jugs with the spout to refill.
It'd probably be better to remove the basin, dump it, rinse it out, then put it all back together and add the new solution. In fact, I used to do that, and found that while I was doing that, I could place the grow deck of the extra or bounty across a bathroom sink full of water to keep the roots submerged, but with a dozen other machines to see after, it's a bit much work. And once the plant is full grown, it's also difficult to do without harming the plant.
So, I just siphon as much of the old out as I can. Yes, there will still be some old solution and sediment in there, but a fresh gallon of new nute solution will balance that back out, and it's worked pretty well for me.
I also use 5ml (one tsp/one half an AG nutes cap) of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon. It serves the dual function of supplying oxygen to the roots and killing things that probably shouldn't be there.
I also use Aerovoirs on most of my gardens and add 5ml of H2O2 to those as well to cut down on the greenies in the plumbing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2017 17:54:09 GMT -5
Hi KB! Welcome. With the permission of Admin Shawn(please delete if not appropriate), I am going to leave a link to the blog I started with my very first AG machine and the Tomato kit way back in 2008! The machines were bulbs, but the kit and the method and steps taken are the same as today with the LED Hoods. I chronicled it step by step, and perhaps you can glean a scrap or something useful from it that will help.. The project starts at TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 You Say Tomayto/I say TomahtoGreat blog. No reason to remove 
You missed it because it is OLD!!!  |
|
MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
|
Post by MaryL on Nov 28, 2017 14:29:24 GMT -5
Hi kissyboots! Yes, AG’s are addictive! I’m glad you made out on Black Friday. I had recently bought 5 Harvests so had to make myself not look, lol.
Re: your tomato and lettuce, I’d probably put the tomato in the Harvest because the tomato plant will require more water than the lettuces. But, there’s no reason you can’t start the tomato in the Sprout now and transplant it when the Harvest arrives. Then plant your lettuces in the Sprouts. Let us know what you end up doing!
|
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 28, 2017 14:43:09 GMT -5
The Farm has two reservoirs, and the way the kits are laid out, you put the lettuce in one, the tomatoes in the other. The two halves are independently controlled and don't share any water.
|
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 28, 2017 14:45:05 GMT -5
Here I was all proud of myself for resisting the urge to do further damage to my credit card, and Aerogarden sends me email saying they extended the offer another day.
Grrrr....
This.is.torture!
|
|
|
|
Post by cracovian on Nov 28, 2017 15:15:29 GMT -5
I already have three LED Extras and a couple of semi-useless Sprouts but added 2 more all-white Farm Pluses to keep in the downstairs rec/play room. With the stacking kit (you have to call AG and backorder for December delivery) I'll block one of the interior doors that I don't use (it should be a great fit height- and widthwise) and will make it look like a space station :-)
EDIT: Not sure what to with white Harvests, prolly some lettuce or something? Or sell the suckers...
|
|
Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,265
|
Post by Shawn on Nov 28, 2017 15:25:11 GMT -5
I already have three LED Extras and a couple of semi-useless Sprouts but added 2 more all-white Farm Pluses to keep in the downstairs rec/play room. With the stacking kit (you have to call AG and backorder for December delivery) I'll block one of the interior doors that I don't use (it should be a great fit height- and widthwise) and will make it look like a space station :-) EDIT: Not sure what to with white Harvests, prolly some lettuce or something? Or sell the suckers... I have an Extra here I will be using for a GAL in January. My other large units have Peppers and I have two Harvests going as well. I have a couple Harvests in a closet as one is a gift and a Sprout in there too. Post some pictures of your projects in their own thread sometime, would love to see what you have growing |
|
MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
|
Post by MaryL on Nov 28, 2017 16:16:49 GMT -5
I already have three LED Extras and a couple of semi-useless Sprouts but added 2 more all-white Farm Pluses to keep in the downstairs rec/play room. With the stacking kit (you have to call AG and backorder for December delivery) I'll block one of the interior doors that I don't use (it should be a great fit height- and widthwise) and will make it look like a space station :-) EDIT: Not sure what to with white Harvests, prolly some lettuce or something? Or sell the suckers... I love your idea of stacking them in an unused doorway. I think that’ll look great, and it’s so practical. Re: the Harvests, anything short works nicely - lettuce like you suggested, herbs, some of us love growing baby choy (I have an over abundance of seeds if you’re interested) certain flowers and other greens. Dawn has even successfully grown the AG mini Jalapeno in a Harvest and got a great yield, despite the Harvest’s shorter hood. I’m trying that next! |
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 28, 2017 16:31:01 GMT -5
Harvests are perfect for lettuce. I also use mine for the Aerogarden Red Heirloom Cherry Tomato kit (usually have at least two harvests planted with these), and as mentioned, it even worked quite nicely with the Aerogarden Mini Jalapeno kit.
Standard warning applies: One Tomato or one Jalapeno per Harvest. They suggest you can grow more, but either of those plants will easily and rapidly fill all available space in the Harvest.
I've also got a non-Aerogarden Thai Pepper plant that fits nicely, and am also trying some "Sport" peppers, which is also supposed to be a short plant.
|
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Nov 28, 2017 16:32:54 GMT -5
With the stacking kit (you have to call AG and backorder for December delivery) I'll block one of the interior doors that I don't use (it should be a great fit height- and widthwise) and will make it look like a space station :-) About that stacking kit: Are there any pictures or descriptions online? |
|
|
|
Post by cracovian on Nov 28, 2017 16:44:07 GMT -5
With the stacking kit (you have to call AG and backorder for December delivery) I'll block one of the interior doors that I don't use (it should be a great fit height- and widthwise) and will make it look like a space station :-) About that stacking kit: Are there any pictures or descriptions online? I took a look at the original announcement email where the units are shown stacked in three different ways but, upon closer inspection, they sort of sit on top of one another... Definitely Photoshop. I may use white duct tape (wrap it twice just to be sure it's holding and not sliding or tipping over too much :-)) while I'm waiting :-P There are two colors available (white and black). |
|
|
|
Post by kissyboots on Dec 1, 2017 20:35:51 GMT -5
I didn't forget this thread but this week was CRAZY and my husband leaves Sunday so I must go join him on the couch.
But the monster made the mistake of saying he loves freshly harvested peppers.
And I looked. And AG has a Classic 7 for super cheap OR two Harvests for under $150. I could grow more lettuce and do peppers.
TRYING ... NOT ... TO BUY.
ETA: Will reply ASAP! So many questions!
|
|
|
|
Post by drbanks on Dec 1, 2017 21:30:17 GMT -5
TRYING ... NOT ... TO BUY. If only I had an Aerogarden for every time I've said that. Oh, wait. I do. |
|
|
|
Post by cjsbabygirl313 on Dec 2, 2017 4:52:10 GMT -5
I also use 5ml (one tsp/one half an AG nutes cap) of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon. It serves the dual function of supplying oxygen to the roots and killing things that probably shouldn't be there. Shawn, could you amend the list if tips and tricks to include this please? |
|
|
|
Post by kissyboots on Dec 2, 2017 15:03:12 GMT -5
Harvests are perfect for lettuce. I also use mine for the Aerogarden Red Heirloom Cherry Tomato kit (usually have at least two harvests planted with these), and as mentioned, it even worked quite nicely with the Aerogarden Mini Jalapeno kit. Standard warning applies: One Tomato or one Jalapeno per Harvest. They suggest you can grow more, but either of those plants will easily and rapidly fill all available space in the Harvest. I've also got a non-Aerogarden Thai Pepper plant that fits nicely, and am also trying some "Sport" peppers, which is also supposed to be a short plant. I finally processed all the info! I didn't dump the water on first refill because I was scared. And I tried to pinch off a baby basil leaf and the plant moved up a half an inch and I got scared! I'm worried I'll traumatize the plants. The reason I was thinking of grabbing the two Harvests on sale was for peppers and more lettuce- my husband made the mistake of mentioning how much he liked homegrown chilis last night and that caused hours of me vacillating over tabbed carts. It feels like something I should buy, ugh. And then I looked at FB local buy and sell and people are selling one USED Harvest for the same price I can get two new ones  LIKE A SIGN right?! I haven't really gotten to understand all the watering devices yet, like the Voir or the watering can. I buy and throw out so much lettuce for a 1.5 person veggie eater household that I feel like AGs will be somewhat offset ... and they're like giving those ones away! The sales might get even better though. |
|
Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,265
|
Post by Shawn on Dec 2, 2017 16:00:07 GMT -5
Kissy, While there are a few peppers that can be grown in a Harvest, the majority really need a tall machine.
|
|
I now have three Sprouts (counting the one in transit) so I have to strategize my planting. And I have to devote the Bounty to strawberries but I don't know if I'll do that long term or decide to replant other stuff in it ... or buy more AGs. 
I'd love to put the lettuce in the Harvest, but IDK if I will have better luck with the tomatoes in the Harvest than the Sprout. Since the tomatoes and Sprout are here, I'm tempted to just start it tonight! But I want to strategize properly with my weird mix of AGs!
LIKE A SIGN right?!