First Garden(s) Up, Running, and Doing Well!

[Happy]

Jan 27, 2019 13:49:02 GMT -5 clumsythumbs said:

I have occasionally been checking the temps as I have read many of you find water gets warm and you add ice.  Water has always been pretty cool, but for some odd reason I stuck my finger in there a bit ago, and both were mildy warm. 

Hi thumbs,
I would suggest ignoring the water temp issue. It's a losing battle and my greens seem to do well in spite of the warm water.

[clumsythumbs]

Thanks for the advice!!  Yeah I have heard/read mixed thoughts on the water temp.  Most seem to have your experience that it does not really matter too much 

It was just odd that suddenly the water heated up.  But yeah only so much you can control, right? And I figure with all the testing AG has done on these models, if it was a real issue they'd have some tips or address it in some way.  Plus, as you mention, it does not seem to impact the results.

[clumsythumbs]

Day 15 on the Salad Garden!  Added nutrients yesterday.  All are looking good, though am starting to see how the bounty can started to get crowded    At some point fairly soon it looks like the Chinese Cabbage (back center) is going to start  blocking the Mixed Kale and the 2nd Chinese cabbage on either side of it. But happy things are looking fresh and pretty.  Been adding some ice cubes midday.  The Bounty lettuce is starting to drink the water (vs the Herbs which I have really not had to add much), so adding the cool water seems to keep it cool (go figure!).  



2019-01-31_03-08-07 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


2019-01-31_03-07-41 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

[Shawn]

You can always pinch a few leaves back on the Chinese cabbage and Munch on them  to give the others some room

[MaryL]

I love that Chinese cabbage. I think it’s my favorite of all the greens they offer.

[clumsythumbs]

Update!  I am on Day ~23 of my Herb garden and Day ~20/21 of the Salad Garden.  As I noted a few days ago, things were getting crowded, and per the advice of a few...decided to harvest some last night!!  First AG harvest! 

I felt like I was butchering the salad greens-- it is harder than I would have imaged to target the bigger leaves (which tend to be more near the middle and not the outside..plus since many varieties grow in a kind of spiral pattern...it gets complicated)...but I just figured what damage could I really do... it's a learning lesson.  Add to that I was tired, hangry, and the dexterity of my fingers was greatly compromised due to my kick boxing class earlier last night...

So, here is a before from various angles (night of 2/4):


20190204_204833 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190204_204901 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190204_204912 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

Here is after the 'carnage':

20190204_210126 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190204_210116 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

Which...looking at these NOW it barely seems noticeable, but last night I felt like I had assaulted the poor things.


Here is the results:

20190204_210136 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190204_210143 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

and...

20190204_214142 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

I used what I harvested to make the bed of my Vegan Taco Bowl Salad. The food tasted good, although all the 'fixins' overpowered the greens, but I did taste several of the leaves on their own and tasted delightful.



The herb garden is doing well (no photos at the moment). I have long suspected, but wanted to be sure, that my Thai basil is actually genovese basil. So...yeah my 'thai' pod looks nothing or tasted nothing like Thai Basil and is for sure Gen Basil. This is fine as I would likely use it more...but still seems AG is slipping up some with their pods (in light of the mint issues another thread had discussed). I think the Basils (both of them) will be read to be 'topped' soon. Just in the last few days the small 4th set of leaves have grown large-ish and I think I may be seeing a 5th set(?). I need to look more closely tonight when I get home and tomorrow.

The Dill and Parsley never sprouted. I know sometimes they take a long, long, long, long time...but after 23ish days and literally no activity, I am not sure when is the proper time to call them DOA and contact AG about a replacement? I will admit I poked around one pod and cannot even locate a seed or anything in the pod. The Chives are really growing tall and had to snip some of the longer ones so as to avoid having to raise the hood (sprinkled it ontop of my salad as well). The mint is slowly growing, but looking health. The Thyme is really started to get lively and grow crazy (I have heard once it gets going it is quite unruly). Since I do not eat meat, I need to figure out what to use it in soon. I will post some pictures of the herbs later this week!

Sorry this post/update is so long!

[Shawn]

I think you did just fine.  As for the harvesting, I remember the first time I had to prune a plant (herbs, peppers and lettuce).  I was terrified and also felt horrible.  But when you see the fruits of what you grow that feeling passes.

[clumsythumbs]

Feb 5, 2019 15:05:53 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I think you did just fine.  As for the harvesting, I remember the first time I had to prune a plant (herbs, peppers and lettuce).  I was terrified and also felt horrible.  But when you see the fruits of what you grow that feeling passes.

YES!! It was both exciting/satisfying and a bit nerve-wracking.  There is definitely more to harvest in a few days of some of the pods I barely touched.  It was those chinese cabbages that were really needing to be tamed.  Which I did...

[clumsythumbs]

Did a R&R of the Ultra/Herb Garden Sunday. Was easier than I imagined.  Since plants are not yet that large, I just removed the deck and dumped and refilled. Was done in under 5 minutes 

I topped the two Basils toward end of last week; I think I waited longer than necessarily, but... all is well. 


20190211_201738 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


Harvested a few of the larger leaves tonight for dinner!

20190211_203946 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


The Salad garden continues to grow and grow. I did a second harvest tonight for dinner (gigantic salad). Things were getting really crowded. Looks much better...

Before:

20190211_200131 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190211_200214 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20190211_200151 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


And after...

20190211_201554 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


20190211_201609 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


Will need to do a R&R on the Bounty/Salad Garden Wednesday. I think I can harvest some small amounts later this week, but harvested so much did not want to do more than I could use. I know people tend to use less nutes for Salad greens... any suggestions how much? This is in the Bounty. The recommended after 4 weeks is 12ml. I did 8ml at 2 weeks, but some of the edges were burned and curled. Any experiences would be helpful!! Thanks

[Shawn]

Nice harvest of greens.  I bet it was tasty.

Nutes wise, I grow in an Ultra and add no more the 6ml myself. 

As a side note, it is said to harvest before adding nutes or at least two days adding nutes.  Nutes can sometimes give the lettuce a bitter taste from the nute uptake.

[clumsythumbs]

Feb 12, 2019 3:56:27 GMT -5 Shawn said:

Nice harvest of greens.  I bet it was tasty.

Nutes wise, I grow in an Ultra and add no more the 6ml myself. 

As a side note, it is said to harvest before adding nutes or at least two days adding nutes.  Nutes can sometimes give the lettuce a bitter taste from the nute uptake.

Thanks Shawn!  Yeah, one reason I harvested last night was because I knew I would be adding nutes tonight! Will try 6ml and see how they respond. I can always add a bit more later...?

[clumsythumbs]

Finally contacted AG about the non-germinated pods. I was too patient.  I did not realize they ask you to contact after 21 days (i waited 30+).  But, after emailing them late last night, got an email back this afternoon that the two pods were in the mail and would get to me in ~10 days. Given I split the Basils into two pods, I only have space for one.  It would not be advisable to germinate a pod with other fully grown herbs, right? Probably save these replacements for the next round.

[Shawn]

Feb 22, 2019 0:45:55 GMT -5 clumsythumbs said:

Finally contacted AG about the non-germinated pods. I was too patient.  I did not realize they ask you to contact after 21 days (i waited 30+).  But, after emailing them late last night, got an email back this afternoon that the two pods were in the mail and would get to me in ~10 days. Given I split the Basils into two pods, I only have space for one.  It would not be advisable to germinate a pod with other fully grown herbs, right? Probably save these replacements for the next round.

AG originally stated they want you to wait 30 days.  I guess they changed that.  Regardless they are good at replacing those non-germinating pods.

I would save them for another project.  If you have healthy plants in there now why not wait UNLESS you wish to start them now.  I am always starting new pods with fully grown plants.  I have started cilantro in a garden with fully grown peppers.  If I can get cilantro to germinate LOL...

[clumsythumbs]

Haven't really updated this for a bit (other than my musings last night).  The three basils are doing well.  The one i tried to replant for fun that I assumed would die, has actually taken root and is growing, albeit squatly.  The mint is finally taking off.  The Thyme is fecund, wild, and very playful!! The chives continue to grow super quick, I keep snipping the tall guys down to make it even and in a day or two several more will shoot up.  

Using the one empty space as an easier water refill (and space for my hand to get to the back and trim/harvest/prune/pinch.  [Edit: Since taking these photos, I swapped the mint and the chives. The Mint was crowding up against the basil and the Chives being tall, not wide, seemed it would open some space.]

I took a few of the larger leaves off the basil plants, and used the chive snippings to top some eggs this morning.  

At Day 40, the basil seems to be a slowish growing, but it is filling out and looking fine.  So, I don't think this is an issue? But looking at other gardens, these seem quite small for so far in?


20190222_101537 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


20190222_101613 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


I should really prune the Thyme back, but since it (so far) isn't bothering anyone, and I am not sure what to do with it at the moment (aka this week was super super busy, so not a lot of cooking going on).

I did snip some of the chives, a good amount of thyme, and several basil leaves to top a roasted butternut squash soup I made early this week. The mixture of the thyme and basil gave it a really interesting flavor on top of the dried spices. Was very warming and 'perky' tasting.

I have not really fully "harvested" the basils, but have been taking large leaves here and then. Which, actually, seems more manageable for me.

This is the few bits I snipped off this morning to top my eggs (the jalapeno is not grown by me, but store bought).

20190222_101733 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

Served the eggs over the lettuce I also picked this morning.

[clumsythumbs]

The salad garden is still going full throttle. I haven't done a big harvest for probably about a week.  Even "smaller" trimmings produce a good amount between the 7 lettuces.  I have yet to harvest the Kale.  I am waiting for it to get bigger and more developed leaves.  


A light trim...


20190222_103315 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


I used this as a base of my scrambled eggs this morning....

This is the garden pre-harvest....

20190222_101451 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


20190222_101516 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


I forgot to take a pic after the trim, but it is still quite full. I will probably have a largish salad in the next day or two and it should down it down quite a bit. Some of the leaves are so densely packed, when I trim a few, it just expands and reveals several more in the center. I am really love how much these lettuces produce and how fast. I can eat two giant salads a week and do not have to worry about them turning gross slimy, and smelly in the fridge from those containers of mixed greens I used to buy. In the months since I started growing these greens, I likely have saved ~$20.

While I have not noticed HUGE difference in taste, the greens grown here are more flavorful for sure, taste much fresher (no surprise). I notice a lot of "spring mixes" usually get a kind of irony-metallic taste after it has been in the fridge a few days. These have none of that. Overall, having so much enjoyment with this garden!

[greenfly]

Thanks for all the photos I am behind you so good to see progression.

I was wondering I have a farm (12 pods x2) if I find I remove/eat/lose several plants can I simple add new pods in those positions and carry on cycles of feed, rinse and drain, or is there a need to 100% empty and clean everything at some point?

PS I too am a dome pusher, they have to lock down!!

I had to also add a string wall as our kitten liked lying under the warm lights, for a while I thought it was to ac vent blowing the loose domes off (hence obsessive dome pushing ) until I caught him..

[clumsythumbs]

Feb 22, 2019 19:35:37 GMT -5 greenfly said:

Thanks for all the photos I am behind you so good to see progression.

I was wondering I have a farm (12 pods x2) if I find I remove/eat/lose several plants can I simple add new pods in those positions and carry on cycles of feed, rinse and drain, or is there a need to 100% empty and clean everything at some point?

PS I too am a dome pusher, they have to lock down!!

I had to also add a string wall as our kitten liked lying under the warm lights, for a while I thought it was to ac vent blowing the loose domes off (hence obsessive dome pushing ) until I caught him..

Hhaha that is TOO cute about the kitten   I can totally imagine it.

I do not have experience with a Farm so, would hard to say for sure.  But I think if you replaced / started new pods, it would be fine.  If you are growing lettuce, you might also want to see how full they become.  So, if a few pods become empty, you might find you enjoy having that extra room.... or rather your plants might enjoy.  Based on the advice I have been given, you can start new pods mixed with older pods.  With lettuces I think it would not be a problem at all.  

In both my gardens, I had several pods that, for various reasons, did not start to germinate until weeks after, and no issues.  I think the only issue would be if you were to mix different types that had different nutrient requirements....like adding a pepper pod into a lettuce garden or something.  Glad my progress photos have helped!!  

[Shawn]

Feb 22, 2019 19:35:37 GMT -5 greenfly said:

I was wondering I have a farm (12 pods x2) if I find I remove/eat/lose several plants can I simple add new pods in those positions and carry on cycles of feed, rinse and drain, or is there a need to 100% empty and clean everything at some point?

PS I too am a dome pusher, they have to lock down!!

I had to also add a string wall as our kitten liked lying under the warm lights, for a while I thought it was to ac vent blowing the loose domes off (hence obsessive dome pushing ) until I caught him..

So, to answer you, Yes!  I have a Kitchen Harvest that is always being changed around.  I have a fully grown, yet trimmed Rosemary, and I just planted a Cilantro in there.  When my Parsley is done I will remove it and start a Basil plant.  So yes you can start new pods in places while you have  mature plants.  They may grow slower because of the hood height. 

Also, keep in mind, if you are growing peppers or tomatoes, and also grow lettuce or herbs in the same side, some may not play well together.  For example, peppers use a lot of nutes while lettuce uses less.  Lettuce and herbs like cooler water, peppers and tomatoes like it room temp or a tad warmer.  So what I always say is think about what you want to grow and try it out.  If it fails no problem we start fresh and learn.  If it works great and we enjoy what we grow.

[greenfly]

Thanks Shawn, 

That was very helpful advice, and have been able to move some new starts around.

[clumsythumbs]

Feb 23, 2019 17:50:46 GMT -5 greenfly said:

Thanks Shawn, 

That was very helpful advice, and have been able to move some new starts around.

One thing I have noticed (so far) greenfly is that aerogardens are quite forgiving and pretty resilient.  As I had mentioned a few posts back, I topped one of basils, left it out on the counter most/all day, and later, out of curiosity, stuck into one of the pods that had not germinated.  Despite it being limp and wilty, it took and is growing (albeit slower than the fully planted basils).  But its got thick, beautiful roots and has been growing.