AeroGarden Growing Tips

AeroGardens are a great way to grow fresh vegetables without having to deal with soil. They also don’t need to be exposed to harsh temperatures or heavy rain, which can be a huge advantage for delicate plants like lettuce and herbs.

AeroGardens use a method called aeroponics, which mixes air and nutrient-rich water. This means that plants can grow up to 5x faster than they would in a traditional garden.

1. Water Your Plants Regularly

When it comes to your AeroGarden, you’ll want to make sure you’re watering your plants regularly. Not only can improper watering techniques cause problems like root rot and fungal growth, but it can also kill your plant.

Most plants need at least 1 inch of water per week, but they may also need extra during dry periods or during hot weather. Where you live will also play a role in how much your plants need to thrive.

The best time to water your plants is in the morning, which gives the leaves a chance to absorb the moisture before the sun comes up. However, if you can’t do this in the morning, it’s okay to water in the evening.

2. Trim Your Plants Regularly

Aerogarden plants can grow very tall, so it’s important to trim them regularly. This helps the plant become more balanced and sturdier, and it will also encourage it to produce more leaves.

For example, if your mint is growing too tall for the Aerogarden, you can cut off the top of the plant (above the 5th stem) and train it to grow out instead of up. This can help it avoid getting close to the light plate, as its leaves will burn if they do.

You can also trim off side shoots, suckers and other large leaves that are preventing your plant from getting the sunlight it needs. This will help keep your plant healthy and allow it to produce the high quality stems and leaves that you’re looking for.

You can move your seedlings from the Aerogarden to soil in a pot when they have their first set of true leaves. This will give the plants a break from the water-based hydroponic system and will help them transition to soil.

3. Move Your Plants Around

Moving your plants around can be stressful for them, but it can also be beneficial. It can help them adjust to their new environment and reduce the risk of damage to your plants.

For long-distance moves, you may want to make sure your plants have plenty of water before you start the move. If you don’t, they could dry out or even die.

To avoid this, you can place your plants in a box or container before you begin the moving process. This will reduce the chances of them getting loose and rolling around in the shipping container.

Once your plants have arrived at their destination, you should make sure to re-water them. This will allow them to adjust to their new environment and reduce the risk that they’ll dry out or get aphids.

After you’ve re-watered your plants, they should be ready to transplant into their new containers. You can use a seed-starting medium or potting soil.

4. Keep Your Plants Clean

If your AeroGarden is not properly cleaned, it can become a home for bacteria and other pathogens that can stunt plant growth and prevent the plants from absorbing nutrients.

This is especially true when re-using seed pods in an AeroGarden, so it’s important to fully sanitize your system at the start of each growing cycle to ensure your plants grow to their full potential.

To clean your AeroGarden, simply take the pump out of the unit, drain the reservoir, then sanitize it with a mixture of diluted chlorine bleach or white vinegar. Let the water run for a few minutes, then dump it and repeat with fresh water for two more 5-7-minute pump cycles to completely rinse out your unit.