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Post by scarfguy on Aug 13, 2022 10:48:19 GMT -5
I'm never going to buy another farm! The drainage design is terrible. I planted tomatoes so the pump runs all the time. This morning, my wife, thinking she would be helpful and not knowing anything about the drain plug, decided she would wipe off the top of the deck. She dislodged the plug, didn't know how to get it back in, and dumped about a gallon of water on the floor before she could get get ahold of me to get the plug back in. WHY IS THAT DRAIN PLUG NOT MORE SECURED!
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267 
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Post by Shawn on Aug 13, 2022 12:02:21 GMT -5
I understand your being upset. However I myself knowing about that drain and how easy it does come out have done the same thing as your wife on multiple occasions. I personally love my Farms.
I have flipped a bowl over trying to get down from my step stool. The bowl was half full and I went to get water to fill and I put my hand on it and it flipped and water all over my wood floors. Talk about a mess. But I live and learn. Now I know.
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campingcorgis
AGA Farmer
🌴 I wet my plants. :-) 🌴
Posts: 3,114
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Post by campingcorgis on Aug 13, 2022 12:50:46 GMT -5
Yikes! I did that once or twice, myself! When trying to wipe/clean the deck. I'm not fond of that plug either. And, I don't use it, so I kind of wish it wasn't there.
That said, there's nothing like the Farms for growing all sorts of stuff! I have 4 of the 24's...so 8 bowls. AG's are the only way I can have gardens up here in the PNW. I do most of my growing in the colder months, as life gets too busy in the warmer months to spend much time on gardens.
My sympathies...hope the fruit of your tomatoes will make up for some of the hassle.
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Post by scarfguy on Aug 13, 2022 14:32:06 GMT -5
There is something else about the farms that I don't like. I really can't describe it....
With the heavy pillars and the bulky top, the plants look like they are imprisoned in cages! The openness of the bounty and harvests allows you to see, inspect, harvest your fruit, and enjoy your plants more easily.
A big part of Aerogardening is enjoying how happy and healthy the plants look!  |
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Post by lynnee on Aug 13, 2022 16:25:37 GMT -5
If it's any consolation, scarfguy, the maximum spill from a Farm bowl is 2 gallons of water. (It can be more if your Farm is connected to an Aerovoir.) I'm sorry about your disastrous spill. 😥😥😥 Did you know that you can pause the pump from a button on the Farm console? You can also stop the pump by unplugging the Farm. When you plug the Farm back in, it will have retained all of its settings--you just tell it that your power went out and reset the clock. I love my Farms for growing experimental things like indeterminate tomatoes, or things that need a lot of space like fairy tale eggplants. |
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Post by scarfguy on Aug 13, 2022 17:24:50 GMT -5
Did you know that you can pause the pump from a button on the Farm console? Thanks, I didn't know you could quickly pause the pump. The problem was more that my wife didn't know what the heck was happening and I was outside. When I got there, I quickly put the drain plug back in. It won't happen again as my wife is now "aerogarden educated"  (sorry, I don't know how my reply got appended to your quote??? ) |
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Post by lynnee on Aug 14, 2022 21:14:48 GMT -5
scarfguy, your account of the pump disaster inspired me to finally set up an Aerovoir for one of my Farms that is standing on carpet. I've been putting it off forever for fear of big spills. I found a plastic refrigerator organizer, just right for a carton of a dozen eggs, that the Aerovoir fits into. Now there is some protection for the carpet if I knock the darn thing over when refilling the reservoir!  A couple of days ago, I found yet another way to make a mess with a Farm. I was draining it with the supplied drainage tubing, but nothing was going into the bucket and water was bubbling up around the plug where the tubing was inserted.  You guessed it--there were a bunch of spots where the tubing was stuck together because it had been folded up too long in storage. I was able to pop the areas open, and everything went swimmingly after that. Moral of the story: Always check your siphon tube before starting to pump! 
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846
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Post by slw on Jun 20, 2023 12:58:48 GMT -5
Bumping this older thread to ask opinions on the Farms. The current sale is so tempting but I have concerns about upkeep on a Farm. @scarfguy, what's your opinion on the Farm now? Would you buy again?
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Post by scarfguy on Jun 20, 2023 13:14:53 GMT -5
Bumping this older thread to ask opinions on the Farms. The current sale is so tempting but I have concerns about upkeep on a Farm. @scarfguy, what's your opinion on the Farm now? Would you buy again?
No, slw, I would not buy another farm. I saw your issues in another thread and I think you might find the farm rather heavy and awkward with your limitations.
I much prefer the bounty (and the harvest XL). It's lighter and more open. Easier to reach your plants. Both the bounty and the harvest XL have easily removable light hoods. You can gain extra height for your plants by removing the light hood and suspending your 45W light panel above the plants.
Have a look at my thread titled "A little extra space for your peppers" to see my setup:
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 846
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Post by slw on Jun 20, 2023 13:43:38 GMT -5
Thanks, scarfguy. (I just figured out that your username is not the same as your displayed name, so when I "@" scarfguy it fails. ) That setup looks SLICK. I have the Aerogarden shelf unit (see avatar) so that would look great as a combo. I had just talked myself into ordering the Farm but now I'll just copy your great idea. |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jun 20, 2023 17:20:17 GMT -5
I have two farms and they're stacked. I do have limitations as well especially after four back surgeries, nerve damage, and pretty much in pain all the time. However using the pump system to drain is pretty easy. However because mine are stacked I do have my husband help me with the upper level if there is water in the basin. But then again I will drain it in your pretty easy to lift.
Of course everyone has their own opinions in the forms or not for everyone. I also love my bounties and harvests
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Post by lynnee on Jun 20, 2023 19:10:01 GMT -5
Thanks, scarfguy. (I just figured out that your username is not the same as your displayed name, so when I "@" scarfguy it fails. ) That setup looks SLICK. I have the Aerogarden shelf unit (see avatar) so that would look great as a combo. I had just talked myself into ordering the Farm but now I'll just copy your great idea. I did just buy another Farm, which brings me to six (one Farm Plus, five Farm 12 XLs). My AG favorites are Bounty Elites and Farm 12XLs--things don't grow so well for me in Harvests (except for microgreens). I like being able to let the AGs handle the lights along with everything else. The only thing I don't like is having to stoop or kneel to prune the plants (my Farms sit on the floor). It makes sense for you to try the A-frame setup, though! It has a lot going for it!  |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jun 22, 2023 8:58:59 GMT -5
I have these restaurant racks mine sit on and they are about 8 or 10 inches off the floor lynnee |
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Post by lynnee on Jun 22, 2023 12:35:06 GMT -5
I have these restaurant racks mine sit on and they are about 8 or 10 inches off the floor lynneeCould you show me what the racks look like, or send a link to something similar? |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jun 26, 2023 11:16:06 GMT -5
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Post by lynnee on Jun 26, 2023 20:12:44 GMT -5
Thanks, I'm going to order some! Gotta go do some measuring first. |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jun 27, 2023 17:19:24 GMT -5
I love mine
Tomorrow I will try to get a picture of mine
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(sorry, I don't know how my reply got appended to your quote??? ) 
