aerogarden

[bobmans]

Anyone here have an aerogarden? It is advertised in the Canadian tire flyer for about $130. I wouldn't mind getting one if it works. I have read the reviews and they seem mixed, ie. lettuce good, herbs good, tomatoes so-so. Has anyone here tried it?

[chinaboy1021]

i have not used one, but i am still going to say: PASS.

[rchong]

It would be cheaper to buy soil, pots, and a lightbulb.

[bobmans]

Yeah...that's what I thought as well. I freely admit I do not have a green thumb so any advantage that I think I can get growing something appeals to me. Maybe I'll just try to grow some herbs on the kitchen counter with the help of a grow light...sounds a lot cheaper.

[David J]

I bought one a year ago. Have grown the herbs and the salad greens. It is an amazing rig. Idiot proof. Does exactly what it tell you will do. Aimi microprocesser regulate the light for the different plants and the water and nutrients are monitored and LED's will flash when either are required.The plants germinate within a few days and are ready to harvest within 3-4 weeks and will last almost 6 months. The faster you cut and use them the faster they will grow. You can't get this sort of success from a pot of dirt and a grow light. I have tried that! I just started the 3rd crop of herbs, and will enjoy them all winter. Now they are available in Canada at Hedonics in Toronto and at Canadian Tire it will be much easier to get the starter kits etc. instead of mail order. Just follow the instructions. you can't fail on this one.

[Dominique]

I have one too and I love it!!!

I have been really happy with the Italian Herb kit but my Romaine kit didn't work out as well as I thought it would. The lettuce tasted great but they didn't look anything like the package.
If you do purchase one of these things, I highly recommend you have some kind of recipe for Basil, because that herb grows like crazy in it.

I should probably say why I bought it.
I swear I KILL, not on purpose, but every plant i come in contact with
I tried growing herbs in the past, not a success and I think it's because i live in a condo with no balcony.
thats why this thing was so perfect for me. I love having fresh herbs in my salads
and it lasts a long time because they keep growing. I feel bad when its time for me to start a new batch because you see the roots underneath.

[liangdai_bigdog]

I'm looking to get one as a christmas gift for someone but was wondering if it breaks easily or if there's any problems with them?

[liangdai_bigdog]

oh and do you have to use the seed kits made by aerogarden or can you use just regular seeds?

[4flava]

oh and do you have to use the seed kits made by aerogarden or can you use just regular seeds?

+1 Same question here.. I've got some thai basil seeds that I'd like to grow yr round.

[jayt90]

It's easier to use Aerogarden seed pods than to adapt your seeds to their pods.
However, Aerogarden has a pod available for inserting your own seeds. I don't know if Can Tire has it.
The company's seed pods are proven; other seeds may not be as successful.
My unit is built well enough to last.
However once a year it must be cleaned out and rinsed with mild bleach solution. Much like cleaning a scummy aquarium.
The other caveat is bulbs: the Aerogarden tubes are their own with a special mount, and last 6 months; after that the color temperature goes off. I don't know what CT charges for tubes, but they are expensive ordering from Colorado.
It will be a good gift for a cook or salad maven.

[rageking]

$130 is absolutely the cheapest I've found in Canada in the last 2 months. Even ebay sellers are charging more for brand-new. If you lived in the US or have an US address you can buy directly from the manufacturer as they have sudden sales or refurbished for abourt $80 usd.

I've looked into this and decided unless you buy lots of herbs, you will likely never break even. Herbs are expensive at the supermarkets and grow well on this machine. If you plan to grow only veggies probably you wont break even any time soon. One machine will grow enough veggies for a real meal and takes months to do. This will be a fun machine, but not practical for growing veggy meals.

[rageking]

oh and do you have to use the seed kits made by aerogarden or can you use just regular seeds?

All you need is the plastic holder and the foam insert, and the seed of your choice (although not all species will grow in the liquid).

The foam inserts can be bought at any hydroponics store in your city rather easily.

The $25/2 seed pod from Aerogarden really is a rip off. It's a wonder that the company's losing money despite the overpriced seeds and machine.

[0xffff]

I had one and could not get my seeds past the sprouting stage. Also, I ended up with a mineral residue all over my garden. Perhaps the problem was my water, I used tap water from a condo that's pretty hard.

Anyone else have this problem?

[tyfriend]

$130 is absolutely the cheapest I've found in Canada in the last 2 months. Even ebay sellers are charging more for brand-new. If you lived in the US or have an US address you can buy directly from the manufacturer as they have sudden sales or refurbished for abourt $80 usd.

I've looked into this and decided unless you buy lots of herbs, you will likely never break even. Herbs are expensive at the supermarkets and grow well on this machine. If you plan to grow only veggies probably you wont break even any time soon. One machine will grow enough veggies for a real meal and takes months to do. This will be a fun machine, but not practical for growing veggy meals.

You missed out bro. CT sold aerogarden for ~$55 a couple weeks ago.

It came with a starter kit: thyme, basil, chives. Just planted them a 3 days ago and they are sprouting!

[joeym]

they wouldnt grow cabbages right?