judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 7, 2022 15:13:42 GMT -5
So excited to get started. I'm waiting on the other 2, should all arrive by Monday. In advance I have started some cilantro seeds in paper towel baggies, hoping that I have success with those. They are not Burpee, but it's what I have here, so thought I'd try. I did break them up when I did them. I got kits with herb pods, and started the 6 that I will wind up using, into one of the units. Thinking that I should put the tall ones all together into one unit and the short ones in another? Or is it best to alternate... I guess I will learn as I go, but will be grateful for any advice I can get. I have ordered several varieties of romaine seeds, but imagine they won't be here for a bit. I got a couple salad pods, one romaine, and one heirloom for the other two units, so I can just start with the pre-seeded pods for the first go round. I got sponges, so will be able to change out what I don't like of the ones I get after a harvest. Has anyone tried to do spinach? I got an upright type, thought I'd give that a go as well. So happy to be part of your community.  |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Jan 7, 2022 15:21:04 GMT -5
I normally only grow one or two plants per AeroGarden since I grow larger/fruiting plants, but the AeroGarden seed pod kit manual recommends the following: Plants grow best and look best if tall plants are in the back row, medium plants along the sides, and short plants are in front. Seed Pod labels often identify plant height to assist with placement of Pods. I've grown the herb kit a few times and I would recommend that as well - just be prepared to cut the tall herbs back earlier than the rest, since if you raise the light just for those, then the short herbs will suffer from the lack of light. |
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 7, 2022 15:57:22 GMT -5
So excited to get started. I'm waiting on the other 2, should all arrive by Monday. In advance I have started some cilantro seeds in paper towel baggies, hoping that I have success with those. They are not Burpee, but it's what I have here, so thought I'd try. I did break them up when I did them. I got kits with herb pods, and started the 6 that I will wind up using, into one of the units. Thinking that I should put the tall ones all together into one unit and the short ones in another? Or is it best to alternate... I guess I will learn as I go, but will be grateful for any advice I can get. I have ordered several varieties of romaine seeds, but imagine they won't be here for a bit. I got a couple salad pods, one romaine, and one heirloom for the other two units, so I can just start with the pre-seeded pods for the first go round. I got sponges, so will be able to change out what I don't like of the ones I get after a harvest. Has anyone tried to do spinach? I got an upright type, thought I'd give that a go as well. So happy to be part of your community.  Woo hoo! 4 gardens!? Good for you! And welcome (again) to AGA!! First things first...who are the puppies in your photo? What kind of puppies are they too? For the garden planning, I think everyone is unique in their personal preferences. It might be nice to try all the tall one in one garden, etc., but, as AG likes to point out, seeds can have a mind of their own! Just because they are all supposed to be "tall" doesn't mean they will grow at the same pace. So, you may still have some being short while others are already tall. My Rosemary is 89 days going and she's only 3 inches tall. In the meantime, I've ended many of the others that I originally started in that garden.  It is all a learning process, I think. With regard to the spinach, I've not tried to grow it, and I've heard it can be a challenge. I did grow a Swiss Chard Perpetual Spinach, that is not a spinach and it did well. If you decide to give it a try, know that I'll be following that project! Glad you found us! |
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Post by waterphoenix on Jan 7, 2022 16:26:23 GMT -5
Wow, you are going to have lots of space to grow! I haven't tried spinach before but I have done tatsoi, an Asian green, and it did very well in the Harvest unit. Looking forward to seeing your gardens.
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Post by lynnee on Jan 7, 2022 22:20:14 GMT -5
judib , someone here has successfully grown spinach. I don't know who it was (like you, I joined the forum recently), but I understand that you start by sprouting the seeds outside the AG. I too want to grow spinach, but my experimental garden is focused for now on two cukes (lemon and Mini Munch) and an indeterminate tomato (green zebra, which my husband loves). Your plans for the new gardens sound great! Photos in good time, I hope. 
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Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Jan 8, 2022 3:49:48 GMT -5
So excited to get started. I'm waiting on the other 2, should all arrive by Monday. In advance I have started some cilantro seeds in paper towel baggies, hoping that I have success with those. They are not Burpee, but it's what I have here, so thought I'd try. I did break them up when I did them. I got kits with herb pods, and started the 6 that I will wind up using, into one of the units. Thinking that I should put the tall ones all together into one unit and the short ones in another? Or is it best to alternate... I guess I will learn as I go, but will be grateful for any advice I can get. I have ordered several varieties of romaine seeds, but imagine they won't be here for a bit. I got a couple salad pods, one romaine, and one heirloom for the other two units, so I can just start with the pre-seeded pods for the first go round. I got sponges, so will be able to change out what I don't like of the ones I get after a harvest. Has anyone tried to do spinach? I got an upright type, thought I'd give that a go as well. So happy to be part of your community. 
I love those Harvests. I used to keep one on my counter for herbs all the time. Wile you can grow all six pods, sometimes it is like a game of chess (I confess I never played chess LOL) but you may have to move some plants around or take some out if too full. As others said plants can have a mind of their own. Plus different varieties and different vendor seeds can grow differently.
That is one great thing about Aerogardens. You can stop and start over at any time  I do like your idea of placing talls together and shorts together but remember they too can grow at different rates. Lettuce grows pretty fast once it gets started and ussually can be cut at 3, more 4 weeks time, YUM.
Have fun with it and play around. You will find your grove. Also check out the Member Gardens to see what others have grown and their layouts. That may give inspiration and help. We all have failures so if you do DON'T get discouraged. We are here to help, support and talk about our gardens. |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 8, 2022 8:18:51 GMT -5
So excited to get started. I'm waiting on the other 2, should all arrive by Monday. In advance I have started some cilantro seeds in paper towel baggies, hoping that I have success with those. They are not Burpee, but it's what I have here, so thought I'd try. I did break them up when I did them. I got kits with herb pods, and started the 6 that I will wind up using, into one of the units. Thinking that I should put the tall ones all together into one unit and the short ones in another? Or is it best to alternate... I guess I will learn as I go, but will be grateful for any advice I can get. I have ordered several varieties of romaine seeds, but imagine they won't be here for a bit. I got a couple salad pods, one romaine, and one heirloom for the other two units, so I can just start with the pre-seeded pods for the first go round. I got sponges, so will be able to change out what I don't like of the ones I get after a harvest. Has anyone tried to do spinach? I got an upright type, thought I'd give that a go as well. So happy to be part of your community. Woo hoo! 4 gardens!? Good for you! And welcome (again) to AGA!! First things first...who are the puppies in your photo? What kind of puppies are they too? For the garden planning, I think everyone is unique in their personal preferences. It might be nice to try all the tall one in one garden, etc., but, as AG likes to point out, seeds can have a mind of their own! Just because they are all supposed to be "tall" doesn't mean they will grow at the same pace. So, you may still have some being short while others are already tall. My Rosemary is 89 days going and she's only 3 inches tall. In the meantime, I've ended many of the others that I originally started in that garden.  It is all a learning process, I think. With regard to the spinach, I've not tried to grow it, and I've heard it can be a challenge. I did grow a Swiss Chard Perpetual Spinach, that is not a spinach and it did well. If you decide to give it a try, know that I'll be following that project! Glad you found us! Hi! They are aussies... I've had aussies forever... had a pack of 3 before these two. They were a fun bunch. These two both just passed in the last year, but all my aussies lived 15-16YO, so they had a great life out here on the "farm". We have 15 acres, so lots of aussie craziness to do here. Waiting a bit before getting another, but it's hard to be dogless. I was surprised that the unit doesn't have a battery backup for the clock and settings, had to reset the one I started yesterday, when I had to change where it was plugged in. My lettuce seeds should arrive soon, so I'll get the rest set up by Monday. Thanks everyone for your comments, it's all helpful. |
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 8, 2022 9:51:09 GMT -5
Oh, judib, I'm sorry for your loss. If you are anything like me, I know you would do it all over again, anyway. We have Corgis. We've had Pembrokes, Cardigans and Corgi-X, since about the year 2000. We have 2 Cardis now. They are a hoot! Being another herding breed, I think I understand the "aussie craziness" that you refer to. Being dogless is hard! But, everyone is different and you'll know when the time is right to open your heart and home to another. In the meantime, enjoy those gardens! |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 8, 2022 15:04:53 GMT -5
Oh, judib , I'm sorry for your loss. If you are anything like me, I know you would do it all over again, anyway. We have Corgis. We've had Pembrokes, Cardigans and Corgi-X, since about the year 2000. We have 2 Cardis now. They are a hoot! Being another herding breed, I think I understand the "aussie craziness" that you refer to. Being dogless is hard! But, everyone is different and you'll know when the time is right to open your heart and home to another. In the meantime, enjoy those gardens! Thanks for the thoughts, and you are right, they are worth everything. I've had dogs all my life, and will have them as long as I'm here on this earth. (Like dogs better than people... at least a fair percentage, lol...) I love Corgis, have known several well, and they are such fun spirits. So much their own thing. As are aussies. |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 15, 2022 19:32:53 GMT -5
I have sprouts in every single pod but one in all 4 units! So exciting… even the dill sprouted one, and they can be sloooow. I have 3 for lettuces and one for herbs. There is one heirloom lettuce that didn’t sprout from one of the AG kits. One full unit I planted with my own romaine seeds and they are doing just as well as the two kits. I’m pretty pleased with the ease and process so far.
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Post by campingcorgis on Jan 15, 2022 20:12:48 GMT -5
I have sprouts in every single pod but one in all 4 units! So exciting… even the dill sprouted one, and they can be sloooow. I have 3 for lettuces and one for herbs. There is one heirloom lettuce that didn’t sprout from one of the AG kits. One full unit I planted with my own romaine seeds and they are doing just as well as the two kits. I’m pretty pleased with the ease and process so far. Nice!  |
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Post by lynnee on Jan 15, 2022 23:18:32 GMT -5
AGs are gratifying, to be sure! Especially when things sprout right away.  |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 20, 2022 8:44:30 GMT -5
All is going well so far with my 4 gardens, waiting for the spinach that I put into one slot that the kit lettuce didn't deploy. But other than that I've taken off the caps on several, the cilantro is going fast. Lettuce is a bit slower but coming. I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. I would probably buy another unit for this, is the Harvest Elite big enough for tomato plants? If I could do jalapeños, I would do one of those in the same unit if I could find a short variety, but know they are largely upright plants. Thoughts?
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Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Jan 20, 2022 9:23:47 GMT -5
All is going well so far with my 4 gardens, waiting for the spinach that I put into one slot that the kit lettuce didn't deploy. But other than that I've taken off the caps on several, the cilantro is going fast. Lettuce is a bit slower but coming. I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. I would probably buy another unit for this, is the Harvest Elite big enough for tomato plants? If I could do jalapeños, I would do one of those in the same unit if I could find a short variety, but know they are largely upright plants. Thoughts?
I am so happy that all are growing well.
As for Peppers, the only pepper that I know myself that will grow in the Harvest Elite (not XL) is a Sweet Heat Pepper. Which happens to be a favorite in my home. As for tomatoes I can not say as I am not a tomato grower. While I can not guarantee these heights, please check out the Peppers under 24" and this is the tomato thread for ideas. Again these are heights from the website unless otherwise noted. |
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Post by lynnee on Jan 21, 2022 0:29:05 GMT -5
All is going well so far with my 4 gardens, waiting for the spinach that I put into one slot that the kit lettuce didn't deploy. But other than that I've taken off the caps on several, the cilantro is going fast. Lettuce is a bit slower but coming. I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. I would probably buy another unit for this, is the Harvest Elite big enough for tomato plants? If I could do jalapeños, I would do one of those in the same unit if I could find a short variety, but know they are largely upright plants. Thoughts? One way to tell whether tomatoes will grow in a particular AG model, is to check the AG seed pod kits for the # of pods on the model. Also, you can check the ads for the model, and see what is shown growing in them. That said, if you're thinking of buying another AG, you might want to get a Bounty just to have one "tall garden" that will grow almost anything. |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Jan 21, 2022 1:27:55 GMT -5
I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. It depends on what type of tomato you want to grow, but I can recommend the Orange Hat Tomato and the Tiny Tim Tomato. I grew four Orange Hat Tomato plants in a regular Harvest, although I would recommend limiting it to two unless you want to prune them. My plants ended up being 5 inches tall, so there was plenty of height to spare. For a Harvest, I would recommend planting two plants, in the two slots furthest to the back. For a Sprout, I would recommend planting one plant, in the middle slot. |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 21, 2022 11:44:36 GMT -5
I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. It depends on what type of tomato you want to grow, but I can recommend the Orange Hat Tomato and the Tiny Tim Tomato. I grew four Orange Hat Tomato plants in a regular Harvest, although I would recommend limiting it to two unless you want to prune them. My plants ended up being 5 inches tall, so there was plenty of height to spare. For a Harvest, I would recommend planting two plants, in the two slots furthest to the back. For a Sprout, I would recommend planting one plant, in the middle slot. Thanks for that recommendation! |
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judib
AGA Sprout
Posts: 113
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Post by judib on Jan 21, 2022 11:46:08 GMT -5
All is going well so far with my 4 gardens, waiting for the spinach that I put into one slot that the kit lettuce didn't deploy. But other than that I've taken off the caps on several, the cilantro is going fast. Lettuce is a bit slower but coming. I'm already thinking that I'd like to do a tomato, and wondering if the Harvest is the right unit for this. I'd like to just have a low growing trailing type as opposed to an upright. I would probably buy another unit for this, is the Harvest Elite big enough for tomato plants? If I could do jalapeños, I would do one of those in the same unit if I could find a short variety, but know they are largely upright plants. Thoughts? One way to tell whether tomatoes will grow in a particular AG model, is to check the AG seed pod kits for the # of pods on the model. Also, you can check the ads for the model, and see what is shown growing in them. That said, if you're thinking of buying another AG, you might want to get a Bounty just to have one "tall garden" that will grow almost anything. I have thought about a larger unit, but space is a concern, I do have room for one more harvest though, so may give it a shot in one of my current harvests to try it out before I get another unit. |
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Post by lynnee on Jan 21, 2022 17:33:11 GMT -5
I have thought about a larger unit, but space is a concern, I do have room for one more harvest though, so may give it a shot in one of my current harvests to try it out before I get another unit. Right now, I have an AG Heirloom Red and an AG Mighty Mini growing in a Bounty, and I happened to take a photo today. It's clear that the Mighty Mini on the right will do great in a Harvest (blooms and tomatoes can be seen), and the Heirloom will probably be okay, too (blooms at top in the back), if you prune it regularly to keep it out of the lights. In the photo, the trellis rises 5-1/2" above the grow deck, and the lights are at 10". You can't see the lights in the photo, but there is room for the plants to grow upwards another 3" before I'll have to prune or raise the lights. 🍅   |
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Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Jan 22, 2022 4:08:53 GMT -5
They both look so nice and neat in their respective corners
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I do like your idea of placing talls together and shorts together but remember they too can grow at different rates. Lettuce grows pretty fast once it gets started and ussually can be cut at 3, more 4 weeks time, YUM.
