 |  |  | | AeroGarden ®: Frequently Asked Questions |
| Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Aeroponics?
Aeroponics is a dirt-free growing method where plant roots are suspended in air within a 100% humidity, highly-oxygenated growing chamber. Because the roots are bathed with ideal levels of nutrients, water and oxygen, plants grow significantly faster, are healthier, and have a higher nutrient content than plants grown in soil.
How does the Aeroponics system work?
Plants grow better in air – believe it or not! Aeroponics uses a breakthrough technology to grow healthier, more abundant plants in air instead of soil or water. Plant seeds sprout in a 100% humid, highly oxygenated Aeroponic growing chamber where plant roots are automatically misted at frequent intervals with optimum levels of nutrients and water for maximum growth.
Why is Aeroponics the fastest, highest yielding growing method on the planet?
The problems of soil based growing:
Depending on the growing environment, plants can use up to 85% of their growth energy pushing their roots through soil searching for water, oxygen and the 13 nutrients crucial to plant growth. A shortage of any, even for a short period of time, results in plants that do not achieve optimum growth levels or produce as much food as plants grown Aeroponically.
The advantages of Aeroponic growing:
With Aerponics, plant roots are provided the best possible growing conditions on the planet, suspended in an oxygen rich, high humidity growth chamber and treated to a near perfect “rain forest” environment. Roots are automatically misted with an ideal nutrient solution at frequent intervals, providing an abundance of water, oxygen and nutrition for the healthiest, most vibrant plant growth possible.
What comes with the system?
Everything necessary for a complete growing experience (just add water).
- Built-in plant lighting system - Full, daylight spectrum, energy efficient, grow lights allows you to grow anywhere, … No natural sunlight needed.
- Aeroponic optimizing chamber - Creates a near-perfect rainforest growing environment.
- Computerized “smart” garden technology - Built-in micro-processor automatically adjusts nutrient delivery, light cycles, and water for specific plant types. Built-in light timer turns lights on and off. Built-in reminder system automatically alerts you to add water and nutrients.
- Salad Greens Seed Kit included with each AeroGarden ®. Each seed kit includes:
- Built-in plant lighting system - Enclosed in their own mini-greenhouse for ultra-fast germination.
- Built-in plant lighting system - Perfect plant nutrition with 85 macro and micro-nutrients for optimal plant health.
- Tending & harvesting guide with recipes - Walks you through everything you need to know to grow and harvest your plants, as well as tips and recipes for enjoying your harvests.
I don’t have a lot of room on my countertop. How much room does it need?
The AeroGarden ® has the footprint of a breadbox and is sized to fit conveniently under most cabinets. The AeroGarden ® measures 16” long by 10 1/2” wide by 15 1/2” high when it is first set up with the lights at the lowest possible setting, and 21” high at the highest level. Currently the AeroGarden ® comes in only one size.
How long does it take to assemble? How much time do I have to spend taking care of it?
The AeroGarden ® is extremely simple to assemble, plant and tend. Most people have it assembled and their first garden planted in less than 10 minutes. It takes less than 5 minutes every few weeks to tend.
How much time do I have to spend taking care of my AeroGarden ®?
Approximately 5 minutes a month. You will need to occasionally add water, drop in 2 nutrient tablets, and provide minimal tending to your plants. Most of your time will be spent harvesting and enjoying delicious, fresh food.
What can I grow?
Growing has never been easier then with the AeroGarden ® “plug’n play” seed kits which include everything needed for a full season’s growth.
Current kits available include:
How long will the kits last?
Each kit includes enough nutrients so you can grow:
- Gourmet Herbs, International Basil, and Cascading Petunias will all last for 4 – 5 months. You can start harvesting your herbs and basil in about 4 weeks, giving you 3 – 4 months of continuous harvests.
- Salad Greens will live for 3 – 4 months, and you can begin harvesting after only 3 weeks. This gives you about 2 ½ months of continuous harvests.
- Cherry Tomatoes and Chili Peppers will grow for 6 – 7 months, and you will be able to start harvesting in about 10 weeks. That gives you approximately 4 months of continuous harvests.
Nutrient refills to extend the growing life of your gardens will be available.
How much can I grow and when can I harvest?
Crop yields vary slightly, but you should expect to see the following results:
- Salad Greens: Begin harvesting in three weeks and harvest 4 to 10 salads per week for up to 2 more months.
- International Basil: Begin harvesting in 28 days with continuous, daily harvests of 7 varieties of basil for up to 5 months.
- Cherry tomatoes: Begin harvesting in 7 to 8 weeks with continuous harvests totaling 100 to 300 cherry tomatoes over the next 3 to 5 months.
- Gourmet Herbs: Begin harvesting some herbs in 28 days with continuous harvests of 7 different herbs for up to 5 months.
- Chili Peppers: Begin harvesting in 7 to 10 weeks with continuous harvests of 50 to 150 chili peppers, of 3 different varieties, over the next 3 to 5 months.
- Cascading Petunias: Begin flowering 28 days from planting with cascades of beautiful flowers for 4 to 6 months.
How fast does it grow?
Of course, that depends on what vegetables, herbs, houseplants or flowers you’re growing. Generally speaking, you can enjoy a plentiful, steady supply of lettuce and herbs about a month after planting. Consumers often harvest on an as-needed basis by picking a few juicy, ripe cherry tomatoes, snipping a few lettuce leaves for a salad, or cutting fresh herbs for cooking, leaving the plants to continue to grow. (Please see above)
How long can the AeroGarden ® be left unattended? What if I travel a lot?
A planted AeroGarden ® can be left unattended for up to 2 weeks, depending on the type of plants you are growing and their maturity.
How much energy does the AeroGarden ® use?
The AeroGarden ® system has been designed for maximum efficiency. The entire system uses less energy than a single 60-watt light bulb.
What kind of light bulbs does it use?
Aeroponics The AeroGarden ® uses full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs exclusively designed for the optimumal amount and type of light needed for robust, healthy plant growth.
Are empty seed pods available so I can plant my own seeds? Can the seed pods be re-used?
Currently empty pods are not offered. The reason for this is that the AeroGarden ® has been designed to be a complete system in which all the parts work in harmony, which includes the seeds, nutrients and light cycles.
What is in the nutrient tablets?
AeroGarden ® nutrient tablets consist of mineral salts and seaweed. These provide the 13 nutrients that all plants require, plus 65 additional micro-nutrients for additional vigor, in just the right proportions for each seed kit type. The tablets also contain a pH buffer, which enables you to grow using water straight from your tap, and a pharmaceutical grade binder to hold the tablets together.
Can I use water from my tap?
Yes, unless your tap water is softened or you have unfiltered well water. In general, if you are comfortable drinking the water and use it for other houseplants, it should be ok in your AeroGarden ®.
Does it ever get bugs?
Since most bugs that plague gardeners require soil for part of their life cycle, we don’t see many bugs. If aphids hitch a ride into your home on your pets or cut flowers, they can easily be washed off by removing the grow plug from the garden, turning it upside down and simply rinsing the bugs off the under the water.
Can I mix up the kits? Can I grow part of one kit with part of another?
Mixing kits is discouraged because a lot of research and development has gone into developing specific nutrient tablets for each kit. Also, the light and flow cycles have also been carefully developed to optimize the growth of each plant type. Finally, the groups of plants in each kit have been extensively tested to make sure they grow well together as a group with regard to height and nutrient uptake.
Aren’t the seed kits kind of expensive?
Not really. First, they include absolutely everything you need for a season of successful growth. Next, they take all the work out of gardening – you simply pop the seed pods in the holes in the grow deck, add water and 2 nutrient tablets, and you are ready to grow. Finally, you just won’t believe how much produce you will grow with each kit. You will grow over $100 worth of herbs and basil with our Gourmet Herb and International Basil kits. You will grow hundreds of vine-ripened, delicious cherry tomatoes and chili peppers with our Cherry Tomato and Chili Pepper kits. You will grow many dinner size salads a week after only 21/2 weeks with our Salad Greens kit.
Is this method of growing plants organic?
What most people really care about when they ask this question is “is my food free from chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides,” which our AeroGarden ® produce definitely is. We cannot, however, claim to be certified organic by the USDA because their current definition of organics does not include hydroponics nor does it include nutrients based on mineral salts. Interestingly, in Europe, our product would be considered organic.
Are the nutrient tablets organic?
Yes, the AeroGarden ® nutrient tablets are organic, according to current AAPFCO (American Association of Food Control Officials) standards. They are carefully crafted using mineral salts and seaweed. These provide the 13 nutrients that all plants require, plus 65 additional micro-nutrients for additional vigor, in just the right proportions for each seed kit type.
Please visit our AeroGarden ® page for available gardens and seed kits.
For more information visit www..com
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