Review of the Classic AeroGarden Model
A Look at the Original Seven Pod Machine from AeroGrow
Nov 3, 2009
The Classic AeroGarden unit features seven plant pods, multiple growing settings, an extending grow light hood and can be outfitted with a number of accessories. Nestled between the new Pro series and the 3-pod Mini, the Classic is part of the AeroGrow line of aeroponic gardening systems.
About the size of a microwave the unit can be placed on a kitchen counter, shelf or breakfast nook to grow edible herbs or vegetables year round. It can also be used to grow flowers to add a splash of color to the room or provide cuttings to adorn surfaces around the house.
An Overview of the AeroGarden Classic
This unit is the standard, and perhaps most popular, of the AeroGrow modules. It is sold complete and ready to assemble by the new indoor gardener. Ordinarily this unit is sold with an herbal seed pod variety pack but additional seed kits can be purchased separately.
Features of the Classic include:
- Grow lights – built into the hood of the unit.
- Water basin –the plant’s roots are suspended in air and receive their nutrients via the water below.
- Water pump – used to pump the water from the basin over the roots of the plants.
- Plant nutrients – mineral wafers are provided with each seed kit and provide the necessary ‘food’ the plants will need to grow.
- Seed pods – a tube-shaped plastic pod holds a foam insert that contains multiple seeds, the roots will grow through the foam and extend down to the water basin below.
- Growing surface – the top of the basin is a flat plane with holes for the pods to nestle down into; plants will grow above this surface upwards towards the lights.
The microprocessor of the AeroGarden Classic allows the gardener to control settings based on the plants being grown. These settings include:
- Tomatoes/Peppers
- Salad Greens
- Herbs/Basil
- Flowers
- Strawberry
Shortcomings of the AeroGarden Classic
Overall the Classic is a generally good unit for what it is but there are several negatives that the consumer should be aware of when comparison shopping. They include:
- Bulkier unit size compared to the Space-Saver six pod model
- Shorter telescoping grow light hood compared to the Deluxe model
- Half the light capacity of the Deluxe model
Some of the accessories available for the Classic can upgrade this model to a larger growing capacity. But, the user may end up spending more money on the add-ons then if he purchased a more advanced model. It is worth researching the features of all of the AeroGarden models and choosing a machine based on the growing needs of the user.
Overall a Good Purchase
At the end of the day the author is delighted to be growing herbs and salad greens when it is not possible to outdoors. The Classic has a good price point compared to the more advanced models and is a great introduction to the AeroGarden line of electronic growing machines.
References:
- The author owns the AeroGarden Classic Model circa 2009.
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