Skipfind Harvest

[turvey]

First post so please go easy on me!

As per title I recently found a Harvest in a skip and took it home for a play with. Originally the pump didn't seem to be working so I took it to pieces to clean to no avail so I did what no man ever does...... I downloaded and read the instruction manual! Found the 'Test' feature and all is well.

I've only got the Harvest ie no baskets, covers etc I live in the UK and as you may guess I like getting things cheap and getting things for free is even better. So the question is, are there alternatives to the baskets and covers that folk use? For example I've found that the body of certain solar lights (which are thrown into skips daily) fit the holes in the Harvest - not actually tried to adapt one yet though. Or should I just bite the bullet and buy proper ones?

And what about growing media? Proper AG stuff or is there a cheaper alternative? I've got various chilli seeds I'm wanting to try or are there recommended packs for beginners?

So many questions, I do apologise.

[Shawn]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Nice find.  Harvests are a great unit.  As for the cages/baskets, these can be reused if not ruined with growing.  Peppers and tomatoes ruin mine however I always reuse the ones for herbs and flowers.  I am not sure where you would find them in the UK but I can suggest going to Etsy.  I do not know if they ship to the UK but here are just two that Etsy has (and I am sure there are others):  #1 and #2.  If you have Amazon check there as well.

Now sponges, I use Park Seed ones but I do not know if they ship to you either.  There are knockoff brands out there and Amazon does have some real and knockoff but again not sure about UK.  There are other growing mediums but please wait for others to chime in with their response.

Please ask any questions you have.  Happy to have you.

[lynnee]

Hi turvey!

I'd recommend buying some of the AG baskets (plastic pods) to start with. They are the right size to dip the sponges into the water when the bowl is filled, while leaving some space for the plants' "air roots" that grow above the water. As Shawn said, the pods are reusable unless you have to cut them (e.g., to get the plants out for transplanting). Once you see how the standard pods fit, you can improvise alternatives.

I think that you can use any growing medium that will stay inside the baskets and that will allow the roots to penetrate and reach the water. You might want to buy some sponges to start, though, again so that you can see how the gardens work.

Have you considered buying one of the 3-pod or 6-pod seed kits that Aerogarden sells? These come complete with seeded sponges, pods, and a bottle of the excellent AG nutrients. The kits are sold on the Aerogarden.com website and on Amazon. The "Grow Anything" kit is like the seed pod kits, but without the seeds.

For pod covers, you can use anything that is opaque and blocks light from the water in the bowl. Plastic milk bottle caps for empty grow deck holes, or aluminum foil covering the pods with sponges are two popular choices. I've made some effective pod-with-sponge covers from Post-It notes--the weak adhesive sort of holds it in place.

Good luck! Nice to have you here.