Aerogarden

For years I started my plants from seeds indoors starting in late winter. A couple years ago a friend of mine started some peppers in an Aerogarden in April and his plants quickly caught up to the ones I planted in February. After seeing that I, of course, had to buy one too.

Not long after I got mine set up I realized I needed more than one. I currently have one 3 pod and three 7 pod machines. Even though these will let you grow 7 things at once, if you are growing tomatoes you can only grow 2 plants without them crowding each other out. If you are growing smaller plants like flowers you can use all 7 at once. TIP: If you grow tomatoes or peppers indoors you can use a mechanical toothbrush to pollinate them.

During the winter months I had a couple tomato and a few pepper plants growing. Last spring when it was time to get my seedlings started for my garden I pulled the pods out and stuck them in pots of soil so I could keep the mature plants growing.

Garden Starter Trays

When using an Aerogarden to start seedlings for my garden I use their Garden Starter Tray. The tray holds 66 pods so you can fit quite an assortment on them. These are made out of thick styrofoam and are reusable. I even left one outside all summer and it still works fine. One oversight I have found with the tray is there is no longer any aeration in the water, but an aquarium pump is an inexpensive, quick fix for that. Be sure to remember to check the water level often. 66 plants drink alot faster than 7.

         

Another modification I made to my Garden Starter Trays is I numbered the holes. This way I can keep track of what is in each pod, as well as when it was planted. I created the form on the right to use with the trays. Click the picture to save yourself a copy. Here is an example of one that's filled out.

Indoor Lettuce Garden

I have also found a great way to have fresh lettuce all winter long. I start 2 trays with 12 to 15 pods in each spaced roughly evenly in 2 of my 7 pod machines. After a month I put those trays in a plastic tote large enough to allow them to float. I place the tote between the 2 machines and put 2 fresh trays in each machine. I have an aquarium pump aerating both machines as well as the tote.

*UPDATE* I purchased a new Aerogarden 7 and the new design has the aeration stone built in to the basin.

 

Beneficial Side Effect

I was happily surprised to find out how much light these give off and I rarely have to turn on any additional lights in the rooms that I have these placed. My Mom always hated winter because it was dark so I bought her a 6 pod machine and filled it with various flowers. She put it in the living room next to her favorite chair and it helped her get through winter a bit happier.