Aerogarden Beginner, NEED HELP!!!!!

Hey everybody,

I just recently recieved a used aerogarden from a friend who was not using it anymore and didn't need it for awhile. The ONLY bad thing about it was....my friend only gave me the actual aerogarden itself with no other instructions or supplies because he said he used everything it came with and he lost the instructions. I have been reading a little on aerogardens already but am still unsure about where to start with it? I'm really looking for tips and advice on aerogardens and any other useful information that might help me. If there's any that can help, I would really appreciate all the help and I woiuld be glad to share information and help as well in any way I can. Thanks again RIU!!! And hope to hear from people soon!

Hey Dooby Mcgee, you might start by reading the first three threads in this forum...really good info dude...Helped me....Bed bath and beyond sells parts for the AG...In case you need a new light bulb...Good Luck...Oh By the way GO MAVS...

How many pods does the AG have?

The AG that I have has 7 pods.....but i kno that they sell 3 and 6 pods versions as well but not sure if they have one that has more

My first grows were in a 7-pod AeroGarden. A couple things to think about:


-Since the reservoir is so small, be prepared for dramatic pH changes over short periods of time. I got myself a meter, and checked it twice a day. If you can't afford one, get a pH test kit.

-Get an small air pump & small airstone. Your plants will appreciate it. Easy to find at pet store.

-You're going to need the "Split-Apart Baskets" that came with the Aerogarden... see if you can get them from your friend. If you can't, the only way I know to get them is to buy the "Master Gardener Kit" for Aerogarden. Its like $35-$40 online, so all the more reason to find the old ones. The kit comes with grow sponges that fit into the baskets, but I like to use small (1.5") rockwool cubes cut in quarters; they fit perfectly into the baskets.

-You'll need to get an appliance timer, and plug the Aerogarden light directly into that. To do that, you'll need to go to Radio Shack & buy a cord with a 'banana plug' on the end.

-Roots become a tangled, bound mess very quickly in the aerogarden. If you plan on transplanting, don't wait too long. If you plan on growing to term, don't grow more than 3 plants. Less is better.

-Cover up the pods you're not using to keep the light away from your roots.

-Set the controls to "Strawberries". This will allow the water pump to run all the time.

-If you live in a warm climate, watch your water temperature. Again, it can easily fluctuate due to the small tank. I got a fish thermometer.

-Unless you have awesome tap water, use distilled. When it comes time to clean it you'll be glad you did.

-If & when you later move on to a system with a larger tank, the Aerogarden still makes a great seed germinator & cloner.


Good Luck!

Hey smcallister thanks for the info! Those r great facts and tips and I'm definitely gonna start looking at the supplies soon. I bought a cherry tomato seed kit that comes with all the nutrients and seeds and I think the "baskets" too. I should be getting it in by the beginning of next week so I'll post if it did come with everything.....it was only $13 on amazon. One quick question I do have is how much were u able to yield w about 3 plants in the AG? I am plannin on moving to a bigger system later but I really just wanna get started now w the AG since it was free and seems lk it can yield some kind of results....just not sure on what kind of results and haven't really been able to find a "ballpark" range reading the other posts either