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I tried the AeroGarden and my meals have never tasted better — fresh herbs!
Owning a proper garden has always been a dream of mine, but I've had a couple of obstacles to contend with. For one, we apartment dwellers don't have the yardage to really strut our botanical stuff. Also: I so much as look at a plant and it dies. But then, a few months ago, my wife bought me an AeroGarden Harvest and, well, I haven't looked back. I can say that it honestly has changed my horticultural — and culinary — life. I used the AeroGarden Harvest for an extended period before writing this review, so I have quite a bit of hands-on experience with the good, the bad and the messy.
It will revolutionize your dinners
Fresh herbs can make a huge difference in your cooking game. Even as a novice food prepper, I found that fresh herbs carried much more flavor than the dried ones I bought from the supermarket spice aisle. Since I didn't have a yard, I tried growing herbs in planter boxes. Let's just say they didn't do well. The AeroGarden is so foolproof, though, that I finally succeeded in quest. Since the set comes with mint, parsley, dill, thyme and two types of basil I didn't even have to ponder which herbs I wanted to plant.
How does it work?
It's simple: You add water and the included plant food to the reservoir and then insert the plant pods in their receptacles. That's it! A set of high-powered LED and UV lights blast the plants for a certain amount of time each day, ensuring they get all the "sunlight" they need. The lights don't generate much heat, but it's enough to keep the leaves from growing too cold.
A small blue light on the front of the garden tells you when it's time to water your ingredients-to-be, while another reminds you to add plant food. Not only does the Harvest take the guesswork out of gardening, but the plants actually grow faster than via traditional (i.e., messy, dirty, labor-intensive) methods.
How quickly? Mine managed to reach 12" in around three weeks. And they stayed alive, like a living, breathing spice rack, for three months. Confession: Mine would have lived longer, but there were a few things I didn't know when I first started out using the garden. First, change the water when the Harvest prompts you to; the pH levels can change and will kill your plants.
Another good idea? Invest in a pH monitor. It will save you a lot of guesswork in the end. Even with those two requirements, this is just about the easiest method of growing fresh herbs you'll ever come across — and the fact that I can keep something alive is proof enough that it works!
Garden sizes and pod options
The AeroGarden Harvest is just one option. These miracle-working growers range in size from the Sprout (which grows three plants) to the Farm 24 Plus, which grows — you guessed it — 24 herbs, veggies or flowers at one time. There are a lot of variants in between, but most hold either three, six, 12 or 24 pods. The biggest difference between most of these models is the size and shape. They're also available in different color options, but I never paid attention to what the garden looked like.
The seed kits are where things really get exciting. AeroGarden offers so many options that it's hard to wrap your head around. Like I said earlier, I typically use mine for fresh herbs, but I've also grown salad greens, too. When I want fresh salad, I want it as fresh as possible — and harvested right out of the garden is the way to go. Sure, I give my leaves a rinse anyway, but since it's a smart garden I don't have to worry about soil being hidden at the base.
You can also grow things like tomatoes, peppers and even flowers. If you're a deft hand at gardening, you can buy the "Grow Anything" kit that lets you plant your own seeds inside the garden. The costs of these seed packs varies depending on what you buy, but most common plants like herbs or salad greens are roughly $12 for a three-pack. Given the price of groceries these days, that practically pays for itself in two harvests.
How bright is the growing light?
One thing to bear in mind: you do not want this in your bedroom. The UV light that encourages growth is extremely bright, especially in a dark room. Since the light remains on for up to 16 hours per day, you'll either need to place this in a place where the light can't bother you, cover it up with a box, or arrange your sleep schedule around your plants.
My suggestion? Place it in the kitchen. That's the perfect spot for it, anyway — easy to refill the water or snag a sprig of basil for supper.
The light also burns in another way, though. The top of the garden can be extended quite a bit, and you're expected to raise it as the plant grows. Once it reaches max height, you'll need to start pruning back the leaves. Any plants that come in contact with the light will begin showing burns on the highest leaves. It's better to use them before they grow that high — snipping off errant leaves causes the plant to direct more energy towards those that remain, resulting in larger growth.
How do you clean the AeroGarden?
As hands-off as the AeroGarden is, there are still times when it requires a bit of direct intervention. One of these is thorough cleanings. I mentioned earlier that the water needs to swapped out regularly — I would suggest every three weeks or so. It's easy to do.
The plant pods are held in place by a plastic piece on top of the garden. You can lift this piece up and out, but it's fairly back heavy; make sure you have a way to support it. You might also have roots to contend with if the plants have been growing for a while. Treat these carefully, as breaking the roots can damage or even kill the plants.
Once the pods are out, you can clean the basin. I use hot water, but no soap. A soft brush will dislodge anything that's built-up inside, and you can easily get rid of algae or deposits formed from the plant food. If you don't clean it? Well, you end up with a pH imbalance and dead, stinky plants. Seriously, it's not something you want to smell.
How long do plants last in the AeroGarden?
My personal experience with the AeroGarden saw the plants surviving for three months, but according to the official website, more experienced and knowledgable users (read: people that don't chronically kill plants) can expect continuous harvests for six months or more.
Final thoughts
I've tried out a lot of smart gardens, including some that grow more than 30 plants at once and cost ten times, yet the AeroGarden remains my favorite. No other smart garden I've tested is as easy to use or as efficient as this one, and I think it's well worth the investment.
The reviews quoted in this story reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
