Saturday (25-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

It has been 5 days since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. Many sprouts from the seeds planted seven days ago. Harvested a few more small yellow tomatoes, two zucchini, and several strawberries. All of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 128 days. Manually pollinating the tiny yellow flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.33 and the TDS was 333 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 128 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.62 and TDS was 244 ppm. Added 24 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up pH adjustment.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (128 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Left. Pepper plants at 127 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.28 and the TDS was 170 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 127 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Harvested some dill. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.42 and the TDS was 467 ppm. No additional Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Left. Pepper and Basil plants at 127 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 6.24 and the TDS was 427 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (127 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Various flowers (Dianthus, Zinnia, unknown, poppy) at 70 days. Dianthus and Zinnia blooming. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.65 and TDS was 445 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Zinnia (70 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Zinnia (70 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. 3/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 459 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions/Scallions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. 12/12 sprouts. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.47 and TDS was 494 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, and Poppy at 79 days. Snapdragon flower about to open. Pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.39 and TDS was 534 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers - Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers – Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini and other vegetables at 79 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, cut back some leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and the TDS was 469 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (79 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Left: Ground Cherries (all 12 positions). 6/12 sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.20 and TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added. Reset to germination mode (pump on 1 hr, off 11 hr).

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). At 12 days, 11/12 sprouted. Noted some fuzzy white mold growing on the seeds. Some of the plants are growing very fast (up to 6″ high). The pH was 5.29 and TDS was 465 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right (12 days). Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 06-Right (12 days). Positions 1-3 Sweet Snap Peas, Positions 04-12 Snow Peas. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.41 and TDS was 336 ppm. Added 24 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 24 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 1 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (106 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (106 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 106 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.13 and TDS was 130 ppm. Added 32 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 32 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (101 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). At day 12 five of six plants sprouted, plants ~ 1″ tall. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS 481 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right: Broccoli Raab (positions 01-06). At 12 days all positions sprouted, plants ~ 2″ tall. The pH was 6.08 and the TDS was 386 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 02-07). At 12 days positions sprouted, new plants ~1″ tall. The larger plant at position 01 was transplanted from a different farm. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS was 383 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right: Bok Choi (positions 01-06). At Day 12 plants ~ 3″ tall. The pH was 6.54 and the TDS was 149 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 12. Position 03 Bok Choi transferred from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 12. Position 03 Bok Choi transferred from other Farm. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left: Romaine Lettuce (positions 01-06). At day 12 plants ~1″ tall. The pH was 5.90 and the TDS was 455 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Farm 10-Right: Spinach (positions 01-06). None of the seeds sprouted. The pH was 5.68 and the TDS was 485 ppm. Discarded, and restarted with Arugula (positions 01-06) and Molokai Greens (positions 07-12).

AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 12 days. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (72.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (2.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy Day. A deficit of 70 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Thirteen-Years Ago (25-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Winter Family Vacation. Day 5: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Trondheim and Rørvik).

While we were docked in Trondheim I noticed a number of ducks in the water. One of them appeared to be a Mallard Duck. I didn’t realize that the Mallards ranged into Europe. Today, I think I could have taken a sharper image.

Mallard Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while docked in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mallard Duck from the deck of the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while docked in Trondheim, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (24-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening.

First Coreopsis flower to bloom.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Coreopsis Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Coreopsis Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec) (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (80.2 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (38.6 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 41.6 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions


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One-Year Ago (24-January-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Wintertime Nature in New Jersey.

Not many birds at the birdfeeder on a foggy and rainy day. House Finch, and Dark-eyed Junco.

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House Finch at a birdfeeder on a rainy and foggy day. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 1400, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Dark-eyed Junco at a birdfeeder on a rainy and foggy day. Image taken with a Nikon D850 camera and 500 mm f/4 VR telephoto lens (ISO 3200, 500 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thirteen-Years Ago (24-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Winter Family Vacation. Day 4: Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald Norwegian Coastal Voyage Northbound (Florø to Kristandsund).

While the MS Kong Harald was docking in Torvik, I noticed a large heron like bird on a rock. I later identified it as a Grey Heron. It looks very similar to the Great Heron found in North America.

Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Alesund, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)
Grey Heron in Torvik, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J Mathre)