What is an AeroGarden?
Designed for simple, low-maintenance cultivation of herbs, salad greens, and other plants, AeroGarden is an industry-leading automated brand of self-contained indoor gardening systems. Each Aerogarden has a water tank with a pump, an LED plant light, and slots for special “plant pods” (containing a growing medium and seeds) which are self-contained hydroponic growing systems that allow for clean indoor seedling growth of many different plants. The most well-liked consumer smart gardens now on the market are AeroGardens.
Types Of AeroGarden Models
There are numerous AeroGarden models to choose from. The smallest variant, called Sprout, has no screens and can accommodate three plant pods. The largest types, called Farm and FarmXL, include a digital control display screen and can contain 12 and 24 plant pods, respectively. While the Elite-level Harvest models include control screens, the widely used base models, which carry six plant pods, just have buttons. The 9-pod Bounty variants are all equipped with screens.
How Do They Work?
AeroGardens function by simulating outdoor growing circumstances by combining a water tank with an electrical pump and an above-plant light. Gardeners add a tiny amount of liquid plant fertiliser and clean water to the tank. The “plant pods” are then inserted into the holes in the top “grow deck,” which is then positioned on top of the water tank. The plant pods are only a peat-based growth substrate enclosing seeds that are ready to sprout. Once the AeroGarden is put together, putting it in will turn on the plant light (which has a timer) and start the pump flowing sporadically.
Which Plants Will Be The Best For Them?
Herbs and lush salad greens are typically the best plants to grow in AeroGardens. These plants, as well as other crops with a quick seed-to-harvest cycle, are excellent candidates for the AeroGarden. For the first few months, the smart garden offers the best circumstances for germination and growth; after that, the plants can be harvested or moved. The AeroGarden is excellent for transplanting seedlings as well (especially for plants with seeds that can be difficult to germinate).
Root crops, where the product to be harvested is grown below the ground, are not as well suited for AeroGarden. The AeroGarden system is just too small to support the growth of fully-grown plants, so it is not as effective for producing culinary plants that take longer than 2-3 months from seed germination to harvest time. Having said that, AeroGardens can be utilised as indoor seed-starting systems for larger crops and for perennial plants that are difficult to germinate (as long as the seedlings are transplanted outdoors when possible).
Is It Organic?
Although the Organic Materials Review Institute does not identify AeroGarden seeds and plant nutrients as authorised, they might be more naturally derived and safer than many other hydroponic growing methods. The fast-acting liquid fertiliser used for AeroGarden plants is made from mineral salts. Despite not being organic, the formula does not contain any dangerous pesticides or herbicides. Mineral salt fertilisers can pollute groundwater when used excessively outdoors, but they can also be safely utilised in self-contained, indoor hydroponic systems.
How Much Does It Cost?
Models from AeroGarden start at $79.95 for their three-pod model and go up to $845.95 for the FarmXL 24-pod model. They have different price points for the individual pods, usually retailing for about $2-$4 each. The price per pod varies with the package size and the type of seeds in the pack. If you buy them in combos, the prices can be as – 3-Pod Seed Kit: $13.95, 6-Pod Seed Kit: $16.95-$17.95, 9-Pod Seed Kit: $21.95-$22.95, 12-Pod Seed Kit: $29.95, 24-Pod Seed Kit: $45.95.
Availability
AeroGardens are available from several online and physical retailers as well as the manufacturer themselves. They can be found in a variety of locations, including the AeroGarden Official Website, Amazon, Home Depot AeroGardens (Online & In Store), and all Target stores (smaller units only).
Is AeroGarden Worth It?
If you want an indoor growing solution that is simple to operate and fairly risk-free, AeroGarden is definitely a worthwhile investment. It’s ideal for both new gardeners and seasoned growers who don’t want to spend a lot of time or countertop space on a DIY hydroponic setup. The AeroGarden is the best option for consistent results with the least amount of work, even though there are undoubtedly many less expensive options for indoor plant growth.
