by Sunny Rivers

Created on: January 23, 2008

My Mom, a spry 84 year old, kept mentioning the AeroGarden she saw on TV. I thought it sounded like a gimmick product, and didn't pay much attention. So she simply ordered one.

If it hadn't been for her, I would have entirely missed out on one of the most innovative concepts I've seen in a long time.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN AEROGARDEN?

It is a 7 container indoor garden that is basically foolproof for growing plants, whether it is flowers, veggies, or herbs. It is a unique, automated system that gives you the best of all worlds. It is soil less, based on hydroponics, but the grow containers are not submerged in the water. They sit above the water, so the tops of the roots are always exposed to air. Water is continuously pumped through the individual containers. Even when the roots get long enough to extend into the water, the top part is still exposed to the benefits of air. AeroGarden includes two powerful grow lights with a timer to turn them on and off. Every two weeks an a light comes on, telling you it is time to check the water level and feed your garden. The very best part the nutrient tablets are organic!

WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THE AEROGARDEN?

Even if you are an experienced gardener, the AeroGarden is wonderful during cold, dark winter months. Because of the grow lights, you can do a year-round indoor garden. Even in a house that is cold at night, Mom's herb garden is flourishing.

If you are like me, and forget to water, you will love the AeroGarden. Watering is automatic, and remember, every two weeks an extra light comes on to remind you to check the water level, and feed the plants.

Since it is a soil less system, you will be amazed at how fast plants grow. AeroGrow advertises that plants grow twice as fast as those grown in soil, and that definitely has been the case with my Mom's garden.

WHAT CAN YOU GROW?

It is so versatile! You can grow flowers, veggies like cherry tomatoes, jalapeo peppers, and green beans, selections of salad greens, and selections of herbs.

If you grow herbs in the summer, you know the magic of using fresh herbs over their dried counterparts. Not only do they add the best flavor to whatever is cooking, they smell so good when you pinch them off, and crush or chop them.

THE AEROGARDEN INCLUDES HERB SEEDS

All seeds are preset in little domed containers. It is so easy to operate. Just fill the unit with water (we used filtered) and included nutrient tablets, pop the containers in the unit according to layout instructions, and watch them germinate!

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>