AeroGrow

I got an AeroGrow system for Christmas. This is an hydoponic growing system. It has its own grow lights and a closed watering system. The seeds and fertilizer are supplied. All you do it plug it in and grow.

The Beginning

This is the growing system. The little pods consist of a little container that is holding a sponge material. The seeds are within the sponge. A pump circulates nutrient rich water that is being pumped onto the sponge. The clear domes provide a constant environment for the sprouting of the seed and after the seed sprouts, the dome is removed. The grow lights provide a consistant source of light. The lights are on a timer and provide the proper amount of light for the type of seeds being grown.

I planted the seeds on January 4, 2007, and this is pretty much the way it looked for several days. The seeds that I have are herbs. Parsley, purple basil, chives, mint, Italian basil, dill and cilantro.

Progress

January 10

January 11

January 12

January 14


January 16


January 18


January 21

January 23, 2007

January 24, 2007

January 25, 2007


January 29, 2007
One of the lights burned out sometime in the past day. I called the company and they said they would send me another light.


February 3, 2007
The new light has not come and the plants are starting to bend toward the remaining light. After this picture was taken, I clipped the Italian basil (the tall one in the back row) in order to promote branching out. I took the clipped basil and put in my breakfast of scrambled eggs. I must say I liked the taste. Much more subtle than the dried basil that I previously used in cooking. I am hoping the new light will come soon as I am afraid the left side will suffer from stunting. The directions say that you can begin harvesting herbs after 5 weeks. This is 4 weeks (clipping back the basil does not count as harvesting).