Aerogarden - anyone ever use this?

[guyver01]

Was debating about getting an aerogarden. I live in an apartment, and have no place outside to grow stuff outside, and dont relish getting soil all over the apartment.. Anyone use this? Pros? Cons? Opinions?

The AeroGarden is an indoor gardening system that makes use of aeroponic technology that requires no dirt for growing plants. In addition, this gardening system will automatically adjust the lighting and alert you when more water or nutrients need to be added for optimal plant growth.

The AeroGarden consists of a grow chamber, lighting system using energy efficient, full spectrum bulbs, and a built-in microprocessor which automatically adjusts the water and nutrients. There is also an alert system which tells you when you need to add any water or nutrients.

All of the AeroGarden models come with the seeds and nutrients you need, along with the growing system, so it’s easy to get started. All you do is add the seed pods and water to the system and then plug it in. After that it only takes about five minutes a month to maintain your system, by occasionally adding water or nutrients when the system alerts you or doing minor maintenance and upkeep to the plants.

There are a wide variety of different seed pods you can buy to use with your AeroGarden. Fresh herbs, vegetables like cherry tomatoes and chili peppers, salad green, flowers and more can be grown from an AeroGarden.

 

[Kanalua]

Generally positive reviews at Amazon.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

"Fresh herbs"
no doubt.

know a guy who uses it for just this.

 

[gaidensensei]

I know some guy on my fb who took a ton of pics on his aerogarden progress. Seems interesting to say the least.
It's definitely bonsai-like hobby area, not something like hardcore gardening.

 

[Ika]

aerogardens are also quite expensive for how much you can grow.

 

[xSauronx]

aerogardens are also quite expensive for how much you can grow.

this

get a window box for 10 bucks and some potting soil, add already growing herbs...youre set for 30 bucks. just add water and put them in the window

/has lots of mint and basil

 

[KMFJD]

Works great

 

[Azraele]

That sounds like a cool idea, but owwwww @ the price.

 

[guyver01]

That sounds like a cool idea, but owwwww @ the price.

meh... its only $65 at Bed,Bath&Beyond .. and i have a 20% off coupon.. so that makes it $52+tax. not expensive.

and the Romaine Seed Kit and Cherry Tomato Seed Kit are only $10... and i have a $5 off coupon...

and they grow kinda fast...

This is a pic off a friend's Aerogarden.. at day 23

 

[gaidensensei]

Someone selling it in FS/FT:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2056139

Not sure if it's the same model, just remember seeing his thread.

 

[spidey07]

I have one. Use it a lot. Works very well.

 

[IronWing]

So if that is an aerogarden would an aerosol be sunshine in a can?

 

[spidey07]

So if that is an aerogarden would an aerosol be sunshine in a can?

Fully halogenated CFCs! Yum!

 

[episodic]

Just cut the top off of a milk jug. Get a bag of miracle grow potting soil. Get the baby plants. Put in sunny window. Enjoy.

I got about 6 lbs of tomatoes from 2 of these last year.

 

[sandorski]

I've been thinking of getting one for awhile now. Would love me some fresh Herbs, especially through the winter months.

 

[spidey07]

I've been thinking of getting one for awhile now. Would love me some fresh Herbs, especially through the winter months.

That's mainly what I use it for. I've got a hella herb garden outside but it's nice to have them on hand during the winter.

One thing to watch out for is the bulbs lose their power around 4-6 months so they need constant replacing. You won't tell in light output, but the spectrum shifts dramatically, the same with CFL bulbs on fish tank. It's still bright, but things aren't nearly as happy as they normally are.

You're not saving any money by having an aerogarden, but what you do get is fresh herbs anytime you want them. Which is pure win in my book.

 

[xCxStylex]

I understand you can grow weed with them. If anyone has actual experience doing so and wouldn't mind helping me out, please pm me?

 

[sandorski]

That's mainly what I use it for. I've got a hella herb garden outside but it's nice to have them on hand during the winter.

One thing to watch out for is the bulbs lose their power around 4-6 months so they need constant replacing. You won't tell in light output, but the spectrum shifts dramatically, the same with CFL bulbs on fish tank. It's still bright, but things aren't nearly as happy as they normally are.

You're not saving any money by having an aerogarden, but what you do get is fresh herbs anytime you want them. Which is pure win in my book.

Good to know. Even in the summer my West facing Apt only gets a few hours of direct sunlight so it's rather difficult to grow anything here.

 

[gaidensensei]

I understand you can grow weed with them. If anyone has actual experience doing so and wouldn't mind helping me out, please pm me?

Someone else posted some tips about that stuff like last night. Think it was in a CFL thread.

 

[deadlyapp]

I understand you can grow weed with them. If anyone has actual experience doing so and wouldn't mind helping me out, please pm me?

Not big enough, don't waste your money. Ok for maybe a week or two until rooted, but difficult to transplant after that. Just use the foamy block stuff. Can't remember what it's called. Any local headshop will carry it.

Don't ask how I know.

 

[Leros]

Somebody find a picture of it overflowing like in the ads.

 

[sandorski]

Not big enough, don't waste your money. Ok for maybe a week or two until rooted, but difficult to transplant after that. Just use the foamy block stuff. Can't remember what it's called. Any local headshop will carry it.

Don't ask how I know.

You can grow them short.

 

[Pegun]

I've got a hella herb garden outside but it's nice to have them on hand during the winter.

Yeah we know what "herbs" you want to grow in yours...

 

[CrackRabbit]

If you get one be careful of the Basil, it will try to take over the canopy from the other plants.

My roommate has one, grew some of the hottest Jalapenos I have ever had in it.

 

[Jeraden]

I have one, I'm not really all that crazy about it though. I guess I need to cook more, because I never used half the stuff it grew. Started with the herb kit - I did use the basil a good number of times. The chives never really grew very well. The thyme was ok, but never really cooked with it, so it mostly just sat there. The basil grew the best.

Then I tried the salad green kit. That one worked ok, though it never made enough lettuce really for a full salad, but was decent for picking off a couple leaves for sandwiches and stuff. I tended not to use it fast enough though, and once it gets long the taste got kind of bitter.

Next I want to try the green bean kit... though I know already I'm gonna complain it doesn't make enough green beans to make it worthwhile, yet at the same time I'll never get around to harvesting them.