Looking for feedback re Farm models

[lizbleu]

I ordered a seed starting system along with my Farm12XL. I have a specific project for it, and now I realize I don’t want to kill off a garden when its time to start the seeds that are heading outside. I wouldn’t be able to transplant them until June 1, due to peculiar weather patterns out here. Sooo.... not really looking forward to waiting that long to use it.

I am considering getting a second Farm to dedicate to my transplant plans. Initially I thought I’d add more 12XL if I liked it well enough. Its a great size. I’d like to get feedback from other system users though. Its an investment for sure and I’d like to make the best one I can. I definitely want more than 12” height, as the Harvest models are just that. That way I can expand my options.

What kind of Farm do you have, what do you like best about it, least? What would you buy as a second farm?

Thanks!

[Shawn]

Well....  I have a Farm 24 XL and love it.  A few months later I received a Farm Basic that is now sitting on top of my XL.

Yes doing a draining can be a pain but not hard at all.  Just time consuming but that would not deter me from having them.  I like the basic (the same height as the Harvest) for my herbs and lettuce.  The XL is perfect for my peppers (If I can get them to grow the heights they should be LOL).

I do not use any for seed starting as I have a black thumb outdoors and only plant in containers on the deck ... and even at that they do not always succeed.

Would I buy more?  Maybe but I have no room. With an open floor plan it is hard.  However I do have my Bounty and Harvests if needed.

[airscapes]

  I do not have the farm and have just recently got into the table top hydroponics but do have an outdoor garden every year.  The person who got me interested in Aerogarden was telling me how fast things germinate in the seed starter tray and how you can then transplant to pots really fast.    After thinking about it I decided to buy a larger LED grow light for the outdoor seed starting and to then use with the hydroponics  to grow tomatoes over the winter.  In other words, stay with my normal peat pods to start and of course the small 4" pots I use to get them going and hardened off before  transplant.  I guess if you don't have the proper environment to start seeds (cold basement no light) then the Areogarden would be much much better and far faster.
One other suggestion that comes to mind is if you want the Farm producing now, maybe a smaller machine closer to the time to transplant or even a Farm.  If you can't move them outside until June you have time to get familiar with the Farm and then decide if you want another.  Unlike outside gardens, it seem that with the Aerogarden it is OK to rip out the plants and start over because it is much faster to get things back to producing  than the outside garden. 

[elainev]

My farm 24 xl is brand new and I read the instructions (maybe I missed how to drain it - maybe it wasn't described).

I wondered what the flexible long tube was for that came with the farm.

Then, I found this video of how to drain it (Easy peasy)

Maybe the aerogarden computer would have told me when I used the "drain button" but I'm not that far along yet. I was glad to see this video to understand better. He is draining for his 2nd feeding according to the text, but by mouth, he said 1 month in. The instructions say drain at 1 month and each month after. Unless someone tells me otherwise, that's what I'll do.

[Shawn]

I found the instructions pretty simple to follow when I was in the panel looking and found the Drain option. 

[campingcorgis]

Mar 1, 2021 23:27:51 GMT -5 lizbleu said:

I ordered a seed starting system along with my Farm12XL. I have a specific project for it, and now I realize I don’t want to kill off a garden when its time to start the seeds that are heading outside. I wouldn’t be able to transplant them until June 1, due to peculiar weather patterns out here. Sooo.... not really looking forward to waiting that long to use it.

I am considering getting a second Farm to dedicate to my transplant plans. Initially I thought I’d add more 12XL if I liked it well enough. Its a great size. I’d like to get feedback from other system users though. Its an investment for sure and I’d like to make the best one I can. I definitely want more than 12” height, as the Harvest models are just that. That way I can expand my options.

What kind of Farm do you have, what do you like best about it, least? What would you buy as a second farm?

Thanks!

How many seeds do you need to start for a growing season?  Sorry to start with a question...LOL.  I got a couple of Sprout models from Walmart WITH the seed starter deck for 69 bucks and the seed starter holds fifteen.  Sure the Sprout is limited for height, but for seed starting, how much height do you need?  Or am I missing something?  The Bounty unit has a seed starter tray of 50 and the lamp raises up for 24 inches of grow room (same as the Farm+).  I understand the seed starter for a farm is 85.  So, how many do you really need and go from there?  And, if you aren't using them, they will be a lot smaller/easier for storage!

As for Farms, I have 2 24+ Farms and 1 24 Basic, for the time being.  I have a 24XL sitting in a Fed Ex shop somewhere, hoping it arrives soon, but no rush, as I won't plant it until fall.  I love the 24+ model, very versatile!  The Basic is a decent machine, but limited in height. For the (relatively) small difference in price, I greatly prefer the +.  I'm looking forward to the options that the XL will provide, mainly for tomatoes, but maybe for peppers too.  We'll see.  

elainev, I don't use the supplied drain and hose.  I use a pump and bucket...or, should I say, hubby does...LOL.  We are a team at R&R time.  I like to remove the deck to the kitchen sink, so I can examine and trim up roots, as well as clean the deck of any plant debris.  It also allows me to do a good cleaning and examination of the bowl too.  Maybe this is all over-kill, but it is my preference.  Also, the "2nd feeding" is at 28 days...and then every 28 days, you'll repeat the R&R process.  Does that make sense?  The Farm will remind you it is time to add nutes, but it doesn't tell you to do the R&R.  And, some folks spread that out to every 42 days or every 3rd feeding.  

[Quantum]

Apr 28, 2021 10:08:16 GMT -5 campingcorgis said:

Mar 1, 2021 23:27:51 GMT -5 lizbleu said:

How many seeds do you need to start for a growing season?  Sorry to start with a question...LOL.  I got a couple of Sprout models from Walmart WITH the seed starter deck for 69 bucks and the seed starter holds fifteen.  Sure the Sprout is limited for height, but for seed starting, how much height do you need? 

This is an excellent point! I too purchased the same sprout model with the seed tray for $69 from Walmart.  I made the decision just the other day that I will use this for all of my seed starting. Regardless of the future destination it will all begin in the sprout seed tray. No more failed germination in any of my other indoor gardens. I recently purchased seed pods from Parks and this will be my go to growing medium for the sprout.  

I know many of us, including myself, have used the pre planted pods from AG but I’ve become rather disappointed with them over time with failed germination, lack of variety, and expense. From this point forward it will be a seed purchase or seed harvested from my garden. 

[airscapes]

If buying parks sponges, for an extra $10 you can get a biodom block with sponges installed or just buy the  complete biodome.  My home made version worked spectacular.  Every seed germinated in record time.. but then again, you would need a light source so maybe the sprout is a better way to go.

[Quantum]

I concur with your thought process, seems a very efficient way to do so. In my case the issue would be the light source and I don’t have a requirement to plant more than 15 at a time given they will remain in the sprout for only a short period of time.