Wed, 2011/02/23 - 10:02pm
I watched Aerogrow's latest video on their garden starter kit. Nicely done. No major surprise that plants started indoors 3 weeks before should be bigger than those started from seed in the dirt in Spring... But a couple things leapt out at me:
- He grew spinach! In the garden starter tray! Granted, the little spinaches started indoors weren't greatly bigger than the ones planted in the dirt, but a little bit of a head start. I've never gotten even a viable seedling out of spinach in the AG. Hmmmmm!
- He started radishes and beets and broccoli in the AG, too.
Hadn't considered that - plants you cannot grow in the Aerogarden, can still be started in the Aerogarden... Transplanting radishes out at age 3 weeks was a surprise, tho. They're done in 4 weeks. - It snowed after he planted.
Ah, Colorado, how I miss thee... His garden weathered it fine, tho.
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 1:56am
#2
P would be better to ask, in the UK. The ones here in the States use different power...
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 1:25pm
#3
Mato - I got mine from here.
They are a good step to getting involved with hydroponics, small scale growing with which you can learn how it's all done without splashing out on bigger systems.
Don't expect to grow any big plants in them, they excel in smaller lettuce/herb type plants and can be used to good effect in starting seedlings for planting in other hydro rigs or dirt.
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 8:04pm
#4
Thanks all, ooer, i didn't realise you was a million miles away G. Cheers for the link P, think i'm going to buy the aerogarden classic in white, but please tell me if there is an advantage to owning black? 
i don't want big stuff in an aerogarden because i got the tent for that, but as you have said, it will give me an insight into hydroponics on a smaller scale so i can get to grips with it easier
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 9:52pm
#5
Hi Mato,
I'm over the other side of the pond, too. Aerogardens are excellent starter systems. Especially herbs, lettuce and jalapeno peppers for me!
Beth
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 10:27pm
#6
Lettuce and flowers for me. Lettuce grows stunningly fast in the Aerogardens - 3-4 weeks to first harvest, then you have lettuce on hand for sandwiches, small salads, and snacking. I hardly ever ate the stuff before I got an Aerogarden, because it would get slimey in the fridge before I got around to eating it. 
I like having flowers growing in my office, too. And having the daylights in the kitchen, especially in winter.
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 10:54pm
#7
Hi Gisette,
Cool video! That convinced me to start my cabbages in the starter tray! I need to think about what else.....
Fri, 2011/02/25 - 11:55pm
#8
Do cabbages work better in spring? Or do you not have the aphid problems I do? Seems like there are fewer aphids in spring... It might yet be possible for me to grow a decent cabbage. 
Sat, 2011/02/26 - 2:59pm
#9
Hi, Beth,
I wandered over to Farmer's Almanac to look at their forecasts for spring... Do these suggested planting dates seem awfully early to you? Especially the idea that there's 'only' a 50% chance of frost here after April 16 - so start your tomatoes indoors on Feb 15? 
I've started my early tomato and pepper - the ones I intend to have fruit about to ripen when set them outdoors in containers. But I pencilled in the regular transplants for mid-to-late March starts, I think.... And I'd never have put a summer-type cuke in the ground in April. They just sit there looking whiny and accomplishing nothing until heat arrives. Or die...
So I'm wondering whether to put any credence in the dates they recco for the spring plants like cabbage & peas & spinach.
I plant outside way earlier than most people around here. But, like, mid April, and only the tougher plants, or in protection. The local rule of thumb is 'safe after Mother's Day' around May 10. Last year that was late - spring was stunning. But normal spring here is cool clammy overcast, with the rare fine day or frost, until summer suddenly hits like a hammer in June.
Sat, 2011/02/26 - 3:41pm
#10
Hi Gisette,
I always start my main tomatoes the last week of March. Just because the last frost is mid April here doesn't mean it is warm! Nothing like watching all the seed raised, coddled toms turn purple! I end up planting the first week of May down here. I have no clue about cabbages. My seedlings (lettuce and cabbage) died last year. I keep my greens covered with floating row cover. We'll see what happens.
I've decided to start the cabbages in seed starting mix. I don't have replacement inserts for the seed starting tray (do the park bio sponges fit??). I'm going to do onions in the ag. Trying cipollini onions. Onions from seed take forever.
Beth
Hi G, how much do these aerogardens cost and where is the best place to look for them