Thursday (21-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farms Update

AeroGarden Farm 08 Left (Day 33). L01 Plug; L02 Bok Choi; L03 Arugula; L04 Bok Choi; L05 Plug; L06 Arugula; L07 Bok Choi; L08 Bok Choi; L09 Arugula; L10 Plug; L11 Plug; L12 Arugula. This Farm was originally all Bok Choi. Those plants that didn’t spout or thrive were either plugged or replaced with Arugula from another Farm. At the last update (day 14): pH (5.44) and TDS (575 ppm). The tray has been consuming 1-2 L of deionized water every other day. On day 27: pH (6.25) TDS (370 ppm) so added 12 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. The new pH (6.15) and TDS (669 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 08 Left (Day 33). L01 Plug; L02 Bok Choi; L03 Arugula; L04 Bok Choi; L05 Plug; L06 Arugula; L07 Bok Choi; L08 Bok Choi; L09 Arugula; L10 Plug; L11 Plug; L12 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08 Left (Day 33). L01 Plug; L02 Bok Choi; L03 Arugula; L04 Bok Choi; L05 Plug; L06 Arugula; L07 Bok Choi; L08 Bok Choi; L09 Arugula; L10 Plug; L11 Plug; L12 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farms 09 Left and Right (33 Days). L01-L06 Broccoli (Botanical Interests); L07-L12 Cauliflower (Botanical Interest); R01-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R12 Arugula (Botanical Interests). At the last update (day 14) Farm 09 Left: pH (5.60) and TDS (650 ppm); Farm 09 Right: pH (5.20) and TDS (520 ppm). The trays have been consuming 1-2 L of deionized water every other day. On day 27 Farm 09 Left: pH (6.80) TDS (245 ppm) so added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. The new pH (6.59) and TDS (680 ppm). On day 27 Farm 09 Right: pH (4.90) TDS (309 ppm) so added 1 mL of Buffer and 14 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. The new pH (5.85) and TDS (635 ppm).

AeroGarden Farms 09 Left and Right (33 Days). L01-L06 Broccoli (Botanical Interests); L07-L12 Cauliflower (Botanical Interest); R01-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R12 Arugula (Botanical Interests). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farms 09 Left and Right (33 Days). L01-L06 Broccoli (Botanical Interests); L07-L12 Cauliflower (Botanical Interest); R01-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R12 Arugula (Botanical Interests). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 10 Left (Day 33). L04-L06 New Mexico Hatch Pepper; L07-L09 Small Red Hot Peppers. The seeds planted in positions L01-L03, and L10-L12 didn’t make it (mold). It looks like after the first 14 days, the AeroGarden Farm pump cycle goes from 1 hour on and 23 hours off to either 1 hour on and 1 hour off or continuously on. As a result the seed substrate is always wet, not just moist. At the last update (day 14) Farm 10 Left: pH (5.33) and TDS (720 ppm). On day 27 Farm 10 Left: pH (5.85) TDS (697 ppm) so left as is (no buffer or plant food).

AeroGarden Farm 10 Left (Day 33). L04-L06 New Mexico Hatch Pepper; L07-L09 Small Red Hot Peppers. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10 Left (Day 33). L04-L06 New Mexico Hatch Pepper; L07-L09 Small Red Hot Peppers. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 10 Right (Day 33). Positions R01 Cinnamon Basil (Tiny Greens); R02 Dark Opal Basil (Tiny Greens); R03 Genovese Basil (Tiny Greens); R04 Holy (Tulsi) Basil (Tiny Greens); R05 Basil (Tiny Greens); R06 Lemon Basil (Tiny Greens); R07 Sweet Basil (Tiny Greens); R08 Thai Basil (Tiny Greens); R09-R12 Cilantro (Botanical Interest). Some of the Basil plants are starting to do well, but a few didn’t make it. Same problem as above where the pump cycle program changes. At the last update (day 14) Farm 10 Right: pH (5.74) and TDS (620 ppm). On day 27 Farm 10 Left: pH (3.79) TDS (695 ppm) so added 4 mL Buffer. The new pH (6.10) TDS (695 ppm). I think the brown/red leaves are due to the solution becoming too acidic. In the six days since the pH adjustment there has been a burst of new green growth.

AeroGarden Farm 10 Right (Day 33). Positions R01 Cinnamon Basil (Tiny Greens); R02 Dark Opal Basil (Tiny Greens); R03 Genovese Basil (Tiny Greens); R04 Holy (Tulsi) Basil (Tiny Greens); R05 Basil (Tiny Greens); R06 Lemon Basil (Tiny Greens); R07 Sweet Basil (Tiny Greens); R08 Thai Basil (Tiny Greens); R09-R12 Arugula (Botanical Interest). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10 Right (Day 33). Positions R01 Cinnamon Basil (Tiny Greens); R02 Dark Opal Basil (Tiny Greens); R03 Genovese Basil (Tiny Greens); R04 Holy (Tulsi) Basil (Tiny Greens); R05 Basil (Tiny Greens); R06 Lemon Basil (Tiny Greens); R07 Sweet Basil (Tiny Greens); R08 Thai Basil (Tiny Greens); R09-R12 Cilantro (Botanical Interest). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (69.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.9 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun and warmer. Overall a net deficit of 37.5 kWh.

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Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

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