Think I'll get an Aerogarden Deluxe

[raweater]

I had been wanting one of these for a while and saw they now have a Deluxe and PRO200 model that can grow full size tomatoes and veggies. With the quantity I eat I was a bit worried the normal models would be too small and was almost thinking of building one myself, but now that they have the bigger ones I'm quite sure I'll get it after Christmas as I normally get money as gifts to get what I want, so I think this will be my Christmas gift.

Does anyone know if you can grow tomatoes, herbs and spinach at once or do all items have to be the same type?

I remember a thread about it on here a while ago and it got good comments.

They also have a new kit to allow you to use your own seeds. This kit comes with both the Deluxe and PRO200 models.

I think it will be a great buy especially with the high and rising costs of tomatoes, peppers, spinach and herbs, I think it could pay for itself in a few months depending on how fast it grows.

I'm the worst at growing things, I can't even get mint to live for more than 48 hours and mint apparently grows by itself, so I need something like this if I don't want to kill everything I try to grow!

By the way are the nutrient pills it comes with organic and if not are there organic versions that I could use instead?

Thanks

[deberaw]

.....I've been thinking about this too.....just the other day a friend of mine said she knew someone who had the regular aerogarden and it did not work too great....when I looked up the deluxe model, it looks like just one tomato plant in it.....hmmmm....just today I began looking up grow light systems....I might give that a try one of these days.....I am curious to see what others have to say!....I'd really like to grow my own greens......and whatever else I could!.....

[HolyGuacamole]

I'm glad you brought this up.
I had my eye on the three-tiered dealio.
Would love to hear some feedback.

[spicyfull]

I know you will give us a thourgh report after you get it and use it for a while.

[jurence]

If you want to do indoor growing, I suggest reading up on indoor marijuana growing. No, not for the marijuana ( I guess you could eat the buds raw / dehydrate them :P) ) but because of the PLETHERA of information concerning nutrients, lighting, watering etc.

[jurence]

I hold firm. Aerogardens are way too 'spensive

[Veganforlife]

Can I add my two cents? This may be that they are expensive, but...

I have two of them. I got them on sale last year and LOVE them! I've grown tomato plants (cherry 'maters), herbs, and all the time have salad greens going. Nothing like plucking in your kitchen and eating right there.

So the expense pans out when you factor in gas to go to a farmers market or store to get the produce and the cost of the produce.

I also believe the nutrients ARE organic. I remember reading that in my booklet.

So I'm a firm believer that these are GR8! I will have greens growing for months from one batch of seeds.

[raweater]

For the ones that own one, how many cherry tomatoes can I expect per day/week out of these (the new models even grow full size tomatoes). What about spinach?

I've never grown anything so I have no idea if I should expect 1 tomato per month or 10 per day.

Thanks

[Veganforlife]

I probably averaged about 10 cherry tomatoes a week, something like that. It's not a HUGE garden, but it's doable. Now the salad greens - that's another story and the basil. I have enough that I froze it, besides eating it (the basil that is)...

I (personally) think it is worth it. Especially if you want organic, GOOD greens.

[raweater]

Thanks. Would spinach grow as fast? I find organic spinach is a bit expensive. Maybe it would be best to use it for spinach and herbs than tomatoes. Do you think the new models that grow full size tomatoes would be able to make say 1 tomato per day?

Thanks

[Veganforlife]

I'm not sure. I would suggest calling. They are extremely helpful...

[Revvell]

Check out YouTube vids on it and see what reviews say.

[raweater]

I hold firm. Aerogardens are way too 'spensive

They can still probably pay for themselves in less than a year and from that point on they're saving you money. I would suspect building a huge system yourself would cost about as much if not more - plus the time to make it.

[MelissaO]

I think it is a great idea. I have looked at them but never took the plunge I my blender came before it.

Even in the summer time here I can not grow greens outside - lots of rabbits here where even if you enclose your garden they will dig under and get in. I think it is worth it for the option of growing your own greens and fresh spices. I have grown spices outside before and they are pretty easy and abundant, I would imagine greens would be the same way.

[HolyGuacamole]

You could ask here... http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/

[Veganforlife]

Maybe search first. 'ya know how we all LOVE answering the same old questions. LOL! Like what's a smoothie? Dehydrator questions, etc.

Just messin'

Seriously, though, I'd search first!

Check this out (about growing spinach):

http://www.aerogardengrowers.com/index.php?action=search2

TYPE IN SPINACH!!!!!

[HolyGuacamole]

Personally I have never minded answering newbie questions on any forum under any circumstances, but I may be in the minority in that regard. I guess I'm just not a very "RTFM" kind of gal.

Searching might yield an answer more quickly, though, raweater, and will afford you some protection from potentially cranky responses from longstanding members who find themselves rankled by newbies asking questions.

The link you posted just takes us to a search box, btw, Lucy. :)

[Veganforlife]

I'm just messing! Re: searching

Oops! I thought the link took you to a spinach search. Ah...my bad!

[raweater]

I had done a search on the AeroGarden on here, I also did some searches on the AeroGarden forum. Thanks

[kaybee]

hey raweater--i think its highly unlikely you will get a tomato a day, at least not the regular sized ones. unless aerogarden is something spectacular, in my experience tomato plants cannot give that kind of production off of one plant for a long period of time.

[raweater]

On the Aerogarden site one user said he/she had only one plant (along with other plants) and is gettiing 3-4 tomatoes per week. So I can probably get one a day with 2-3 plants. Plants grow much much faster in the aerogarden than soil gardening.

[kaybee]

hmmm. maybe. but plants dont produce forever, at least in my experience. I dont think you'll be able to get them to grow from the same plant year-round?

just curious? what is it about the aerogarden that makes things grow so fast? is it just that there is a grow-light?

[raweater]

I think it's the fact that it's aeroponic which gets the nutrients much faster to the roots than soil.

No, the same plant will not produce year round from what they say but you can start a new one when it no longer produces.