AeroGarden / Facebook
Despite what YouTube may have us believe , Miracle Gro ’s popular indoor hydroponic garden , the AeroGarden , is n’t actually for amateur weed grower . Well , it may be to some degree , but the convenient countertop appliance is in reality mean as a handy tool for all of us locavores wishing to play urban farmer from the bucolic environs of our own downtown condos . And though some real hydroponic aficionado deem the AeroGarden little more than a toy , if it ’s crispy leaf lettuce , ripe peppers and tomato , or fragrant herbs you require , the fairly unfailing AeroGarden can bring them from ejaculate to table in no time .
Showcasing his role of the AeroGarden to grow medical ganja via YouTube , licensed Colorado raiser Craig Taylor , akaStraight Talk , says he receives “ extensive correspondence from potential next growers with questions regarding the AeroGarden ’s ability”—at least two emails every day . Kelley Maloy , selling managing director atAeroGrow Intl . , the company that the sell the AeroGarden , also ca n’t deny the twist ’s popularity among the cannabis gang . “ Consumer attitude and the sound and regulatory surround surrounding cannabis are changing rapidly , and we monitor these growing closely , ” she so corporately articulates .
But alas , that ’s not why we , nor the AeroGarden , are really here .
My # aerogarden update … we ’re just at the beginning of week three and I ’m run over in # dill and # basil ! ! ! # indoorgardening # indoorgarden New posts on the blog , check it out ( connection in bio )
A photo stake by The Meetloving Vegetarian ( @themeetlovingvegetarian ) onNov 3 , 2015 at 12:48pm PST
Of naturally the twist ’s actual purpose is to grow food for thought ( and as of a more recently enclose product line , flowers — both edible and non ) . The motorcar comes in a diverseness of size at various price points , ranging from $ 69.95 for the precious 3SL model , up to $ 299.95 for the magnanimous Ultra LED framework . The price of the automobile , along with the special seedpod ( about 18 bucks for a seven - seedpod outfit ) , the specific replacement bulbs , and basically the system as a whole , may actually make for the world ’s most expensive salad , but it ’s a salad that can be turn and picked right in your own home all year long . It really does n’t get any more smart and nutritious than that .
Expensive or not , consumer seem to be eat it up . With the # homegrown and # freshpicked food trend only maturate in popularity , lover of the AeroGarden are taking to social media to show off the bountiful St. Basil they ( sort of but not really ) grew themselves . The AeroGarden Facebook page , where they mail recipes and “ photo of the calendar week ” contests , currently tout over 18,000 fans . And onInstagram , AeroGardeners are posting pic of their pretty plots , double-dyed with mini garden gnome and all .
My Take
Almost salad time ! # aerogarden # indoorgardening
A photograph posted by Jessica Scott - Reid ( @jesslsr ) onMay 19 , 2015 at 10:25am PDT
For my own first go with the AeroGarden Ultra , a birthday gift from mom , I plant tomatoes . It was quite the experience , watching the fiddling sprout peek out from their diminutive dirt pods , and then , after 14 long weeks ( and with pretty much zero travail from me ) , watching them work into yield comportment plants right before my eyes .
Less exhilarating though , was eating them . Turns out tomatoes grown in water tend be just about as flavorful as water system . I was bummed , but not about to throw in : There were other seed options to try , and my Christ Within bulbs had yet to burn out .
I then went with the herbaceous plant and the lettuce — both of which produce way quicker , make them much more fun for us clamant gratification ethnic music — and I can now say I am an AeroGarden sports fan . There ’s nothing quite like cheat on over to your own little garden , as it gurgle and glow in the street corner , with your colander and shears to reap fresh foliage lettuce for dinner that night … in January … in Canada .
The Expert’s Take
herbaceous plant # aerogarden # dill # Basil the Great # parsley
A photo post by byBomee ( @bybomee ) onOct 27 , 2015 at 3:42pm PDT
With that all say , however , it seems some hydroponic experts see the mainstream AeroGarden as a limited twist reserved for simple hobbyist .
“ While this is a fun , high - tech looking gadget , I would believe it more of a rocking horse - grade , toy dog - character system , ” sound out horticulture expert Jake Northrup ofHydroponics Inc.
Northrup cites the AeroGarden ’s small size of it and limited lighting capabilities as its greatest drawback .
“ The amount of intellectual nourishment that can be produced in this system is rather small , ” he enjoin . “ It is sold as a countertop garden , so large yields should not be expected . ”
Northrup does however see some meritoriousness in the AeroGarden , call off it a “ great debut - level billet to start , for someone who ’s interested in hydroponics but has never had a chance to try it . ”
Either way , as the dusty weather condition now begins to creep upon us , drive many outdoor urban farmers to begin prepare for a season of root veggie and dried herbs , we urban AeroGardeners can continue make happy in our lowly batches of crisp green groceries and fresh flavors ( and continuous cannabis , if that ’s your matter ) all winter long … or at least until the bulbs cauterise out .
