Is the Sprout Worth Buying?

[slw]

I have resisted the Sprout because the low-wattage lights and low grow height have me wondering how useful they are.  I know many people start out with a Sprout since they are the "entry level" AG, and usually a very affordable option.  Do you own a Sprout and do you find it useful?  

[lynnee]

slw, perhaps I'm impatient, but I find it difficult to grow anything in a Sprout. There is too little light. My most successful projects were radishes and seed-starter spinach, but I think the Sprout was stealing light from a nearby Bounty. I think that because the row of plants closest to the Bounty were the most robust.

[scarfguy]

I have one sprout and I don't plan on buying any more.  The low light is the issue.

I bought the seed starter accessory and use it for sprouting seedling (hence the name, "sprout").

When not starting seeds, I'll grow some catnip in it for my fur babies.

[slw]

Thanks, y'all.   The sale price is tempting but I'll pass.   It is a nice size for a kitchen counter, though!!

[maskedsonnet]

I like the sprout I have, but I’m with those who say not to buy one. It got me into AG, and is doing a good job on the micro-dwarf tomato I’m growing in it right now, but there’s not a lot you can do with a sprout compared to the other gardens.

[xxgalaxyxx]

The Sprout was my first as well. I am a teacher and have it in my classroom. The students love watching the growth (we did herbs) and when it was time to harvest each student received a baggie with whatever they wanted. I like the Sprout for the size as it does not take up a lot of valuable space in my classroom. I also have 2 Harvests at home which I love!

[Shawn]

 The Sprout started me off too but I would not buy again.

[slw]

Since I started this thread I have purchased a Sprout (couldn't pass up the Woot deal) and I actually like it.  I'm growing petunias in it; sitting next to a Bounty and a bright window it seems to do fine.  I like the compact size of it, plus it's just too cute. 

So I was scrolling through Etsy and fell for some green onion/scallion growing pods for the AG and decided it might be fun to have a Sprout dedicated to green onions in the kitchen.   (You all see where this is going. )   Amazon has the Sprout for $49 today so that settled that.  

[lynnee]

The bright window probably makes all the difference, slw! Can't wait to hear how your green onions do. Are those official AG pods? I didn't know that AG ever offered those.

[slw]

No, these aren't seeded pods, lynnee.  They are made-to-fit pods that will hold a scallion/green onion root to regenerate.   www.etsy.com/listing/1050977037/green-onion-aerogarden-compatible-pods?ref=yr_purchases

I usually just stick trimmed green onion roots into an empty spot on an active garden but this setup (with the Sprout) will allow me to have a dedicated spot for them. 

[lynnee]

When you say trimmed roots, slw, do you just mean the end you cut off before slicing? How much of the white needs to stay with the roots? A quarter inch?

[slw]

Lynnee--I usually mostly use the green part of the green onions, so I cut down to the point where the color starts changing to white.  They are typically about 1.5 to 2" long. 

There was a little discussion of the green onions beginning with this post...  aerogardenaddicts.com/post/60448/thread