AeroGarden Indoor Gardening Systems
The Aeroponic Gardens Grow Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers in the Kitchen
Nov 2, 2009
Don’t have a green thumb but love plants anyway? Looking for a unique holiday gift for a loved one? There are many reasons to consider purchasing the AeroGarden for oneself or as a present. Here’s a closer look at the system components and whether this line of products are worth the splurge or if they are just another kitchen-gadget-fad.
The AeroGarden is a line of electronic modules used to grow plants aeroponically. The systems use a combination of water, air and nutrients, a hybrid from hydroponics. No dirt or soil is involved; just tap water and the provided plant food. Each unit comes with specific instructions on getting started and assembly is relatively easy.
Basics of the AeroGarden Module
AeroGrow has an entire line of growing modules ranging from the mini – a three pod garden, to the classic and deluxe units that hold seven plant pods. Each plant pod may contain multiple seeds capable of producing several plants at once.
Each unit is made up of several key components:
- The stand with telescoping light hood
- Growing bulbs - compact bulbs need to be replaced every six months
- Basin for the water and nutrients
- Growing platform that holds 3, 6 or 7 grow pods depending on the model
- Plant pods - available in an ever-growing catalog of plants ranging from bell peppers to petunias
When the unit arrives the gardener will need to assemble the pieces according to the instruction manual; plan to spend anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes setting everything up.
Where to Place the Growing Unit
The most time-consuming part of setting up the module is finding the ideal location. While the kitchen countertop is the most common setting, hanging cabinets are sometimes too close to the counters to make this an ideal spot. Here are some other possibilities:
- Placing it on a shelf – the author had success with her Classic 7 pod unit on a wire shelf system purchased at the local hardware store.
- Sitting it on a desk – in the home office or at work.
- In the family room – on a water resistant surface.
The AeroGarden cannot be placed near drafts or in windows without affecting the growing cycle of the plants. Many owners of pets find it difficult to keep the plants from being eaten by curious cats. These should be taken into consideration when choosing whether the garden is a good purchase or a not-now purchase.
Benefits of the AeroGarden Units
The AeroGarden makes indoor plant growing considerably easier. Initial maintenance during early growth of the pods includes bi-weekly watering and feeding sessions. As the plants mature the gardener can expect to be pruning and caring for the unit as frequently as every two days.
Considering the compact size of the various modules this can be a solution for the city dweller to grow fresh herbs, vegetables or flowers without a patch of dirt in sight. It can also extend the growing season for those in colder climates – with the garden starter accessory the gardener can grow up to 66 seedlings. The seedlings are then transferred to the outdoor garden with a significant head start. Another kit allows the intermediate to advanced gardener grow her own heirloom seeds and plant cuttings.
Drawbacks of the AeroGarden Units
Some possible negatives to the growing modules include shifts in lifestyle comforts. The length of hours the grow lights need to remain on can be a source of light pollution closer to bedtime and interfere with sleep. Some units run 17 to 24 hours with the lights on. The manufacturers recommend setting the light timers to go off at the usual bed time but the light may remain off for only seven hours or so.
During the mature growth cycle of the plants the frequency of care and pruning the plants require can become cumbersome. Water reservoirs need to be replenished frequently and the hood of the units needs to be raised to prevent scorching the tops of the plants as they grow taller. If the gardener plans to be away on vacation she will need to find someone to care for the garden or risk burning out the water pump and returning to a garden in poor condition.
Is the AeroGarden Worth the Purchase?
In spite of the few inconveniences the reviewer does recommend the AeroGarden for those who love plants, or food, and don’t mind babysitting houseplants more than they are currently used to. It is a very unusual gift and exceeded the author’s expectations.
With the current shift towards more local produce and healthier growing methods the concerned consumer will be interested to note that the seeds are never genetically modified and the plant foods are not synthetic or chemically based.
References:
- The author owns the 7-pod AeroGarden Classic and the 3-pod AeroGarden mini. Article is based on her experience; author is not affiliated with the company in any capacity.
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