Aerogardens are a great way to grow fresh herbs and veggies. These hydroponic systems take care of the food, water, and light for you so all you have to do is add some plant food and watch the growth!
However, there are some aerogarden growing tips you should follow to ensure your plants stay healthy and give you a bountiful harvest.
1. Keep the Water Levels Consistent
AeroGardens simplify watering your indoor garden by suspending the plant roots in both water and air, ensuring they receive enough of both for optimal growth. In addition, AeroGardens are programmed to automatically alert you when your plants need water and nutrients.
One of the easiest ways to keep your AeroGarden water levels consistent is by using a rinse and refill siphon. This helps you to change out the nutrient solution in the tank without disturbing your plants and allows you to do so quickly with no mess.
The AeroGarden system also contains a pH buffering system that adjusts most municipal water to the ideal pH range for growing, making it easy to add water without worry about damaging your plants or leaving them with Blossom-End Rot. You can also use a liquid plant food to replenish the nutrients in your AeroGarden.
2. Keep the Lights Level
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your AeroGarden is working properly is to keep the lights level. Not only is this the most effective way to grow plants, but it also keeps you from having to deal with burnt leaves and brittle stems.
This can be especially tricky when your plants are growing taller and you need to get the lights up above them. The correct height for your AeroGarden light should be about 4 inches above the tallest plant.
It’s also important to make sure that your AeroGarden filter and pump are free from any obstructions. Clogging of these parts can prevent the essential water and nutrients from reaching your plants’ roots, leading to unhealthy growth and lower yields.
Keeping your AeroGarden clean is an easy and affordable way to maintain its optimal function and ensure that it continues to perform as it should. It’s not difficult to do, but it can be a little time-consuming and require a bit of effort.
3. Trim Your Plants Regularly
One of the most important things you can do for your AeroGarden plants is to trim them regularly. This will help to support new growth and shape the plants so that they grow in an optimal way.
Pruning can be particularly helpful when it comes to herbs like mint and thyme. These two herbs are perennial and can be trimmed at any time, but it is best to do this when they begin to get too large and crowd out other plants.
If you do decide to prune your plants, be sure to never trim more than about a third of the plant at once.
This will ensure that your plants have enough space to grow and also prevent them from getting too tall and burning under the light. This tip will make a huge difference to the success of your harvest.
4. Keep Your AeroGarden Clean
Aerogardens are a great way to grow plants indoors, but they can get dirty over time. This can lead to the growth of bacteria that can dismantle your ecosystem and stunt plant growth.
Keeping your aerogarden clean and organized can help you keep it healthy for as long as possible. It also helps ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need, which can lead to better growth.
To start, you’ll need to disassemble your Aerogarden. To do this, unplug it from the power source and remove the water tank.
Once you have removed all the parts, fill up a large bowl with a solution of vinegar and water. This will act as a sink to soak your Aerogarden pieces.
After letting your pieces soak in the solution for about 20 to 30 minutes, it’s time to rinse them out. You can use a brush to reach into the small nooks and crannies of your Aerogarden pieces, but it’s best to be safe and use rubber gloves for this step.