AeroGarden - David Mathre Photography

Monday (20-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

It has been a week since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. Some sprouts from the seeds planted seven days ago. All of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 123 days. Manually pollinating the tiny yellow flowers. Harvested a few small yellow tomatoes. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.79 and the TDS was 459 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (123 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 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 123 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.78 and TDS was 198 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 (123 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 02-Left. Pepper plants at 122 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.49 and the TDS was 153 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (122 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 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 122 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Harvested some dill. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.47 and the TDS was 385 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (122 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 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (122 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 and Basil plants at 122 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.07 and the TDS was 547 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 0.5 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (122 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 03-Right. Various flowers (Dianthus, Zinnia, unknown, poppy) at 65 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 6.63 and TDS was 483 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 7 days. One tiny sprout, 3 possible sprouts, 8 no visible sprouts. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.39 and TDS was 449 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Left. Chives (all 12 positions) at 7 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-Right. Bunching Onions/Scallions (all 12 positions) at 7 days. Ten sprouts, two dry sockets. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.34 and TDS was 481 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 04-Right. Bunching Onions (all 12 positions) at 7 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 74 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 5.25 and TDS was 578 ppm. Added 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers - Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (74 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 (74 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 74 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, others not as good. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.38 and the TDS was 400 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (74 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). One tiny sprout, eleven haven’t sprouted. No additional water needed. The pH was 6.15 and TDS was 478 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Left. Ground Cherries (all 12 positions) at 7 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 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). All positions sprouted. Noted some fuzzy white mold growing on the seeds. The pH was 6.22 and TDS was 496 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 06-Right. 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 101 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.48 and TDS was 253 ppm. Added 16 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 16 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (101 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 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 101 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.27 and TDS was 576 ppm. Added 16 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 16 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 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). Five of six positions sprouted. The pH was 6.39 and the TDS 499 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Left. Positions 01-06 Mustard at 7 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). All positions sprouted. The pH was 6.24 and the TDS was 505 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 08-Right. Positions 01-12 Broccoli Raab. 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 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 02-07). All positions sprouted. The larger plant at position 01 was transplanted from a different farm. The pH was 6.36 and the TDS was 470 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Left. Position 01 Swiss Chard moved from other farm. Positions 02-07 Swiss Chard at 7 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). All positions sprouted. The pH was 6.22 and the TDS was 450 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 09-Right. Positions 01-02, 04-07 Bok Choi at day 7. Position 03 Bok Choi transfered 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). The pH was 5.95 and the TDS was 475 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Left. Positions 01-06 Romaine Lettuce at 7 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 5.76 and the TDS was 486 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer up solution added.

AeroGarden Farm 10-Right. Positions 01-06 Spinach at 7 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 (91.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (40.8 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny Day. A deficit of 50.3 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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Monday (13-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

It has been nine days since the last AeroGarden hydroponic farm update. I’m finding that I need to feed the mature plants more often than every two weeks. Even nine days may be too long. Several of the auxiliary water bottles needed to be refilled.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 116 days. Harvested a few small yellow tomatoes. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.99 and the TDS was 089 ppm. Added 32 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (116 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1000, 35 mm, f/8, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 116 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.71 and TDS was 156 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 (116 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 at 115 days. The pepper plants are getting bigger, but no flowers. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.65 and the TDS was 126 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Left. Pepper Plants (115 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 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 115 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.49 and the TDS was 635 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer added.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (115 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 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (115 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 and Basil plants at 115 days. The plants are getting bigger. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.80 and the TDS was 320 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left. Pepper Plants (115 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 58 days. Dianthus and Zinnia blooming. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Flowers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.74 and TDS was 750 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer added.

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (116 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 67 days. None blooming, pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.1 and TDS was 565 ppm. Added 0.5 mL buffer up added.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Flowers - Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy (58 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 (58 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 67 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, others not as good. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.70 and the TDS was 190 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (67 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 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 94 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.70 and TDS was 190 ppm. Added 20 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 20 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (94 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 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 94 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.70 and TDS was 190 ppm. Added 15 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 15 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (94 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)

The upper farms bins were cleaned, filled with DI water (8.0L) and AeroGarden/Miracle Grow plant food (16 mL). Then planted, and restarted as follows:

Farm 04-Left: Chives (all 12 positions). pH 5.58, TDS 487 ppm. Herb garden germination mode: Lights 17 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 04-Right: Bunching Onions (all 12 positions). pH 5.45, TDS 520 ppm. Herb garden germinationmode: Lights 17 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 06-Left: Ground Cherries (all 12 positions). pH 5.26, TDS 459 ppm. Tomato garden germination mode: Lights 16 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 06-Right: Burpee Sugar Snap Peas (positions 01-03); Snow Peas (positions 04-12). pH 5.46, TDS 520 ppm. Pepper garden germination mode: Lights 16 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 08-Left: Mustard (positions 01-06). pH 5.92, TDS 538 ppm. Lettuce garden germination mode: Lights 16:30 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 08-Right: Broccoli Raab (positions 01-06). pH 5.67, TDS 534 ppm. Tomato garden germination mode: Lights 16 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 09-Left: Swiss Chard (positions 01-06). pH 6.06, TDS 516 ppm. Lettuce garden germination mode: Lights 16:30 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 09-Right: Bok Choi (positions 01-06). pH 5.53, TDS 516 ppm. Lettuce garden germination mode: Lights 16:30 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 10-Left: Romaine Lettuce (positions 01-06). pH 6.06, TDS 516 ppm. Lettuce garden germination mode: Lights 16:30 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Farm 10-Right: Spinach (positions 01-06). pH 5.53, TDS 516 ppm. Lettuce garden germination mode: Lights 16:30 hours, Pump 60 minutes on, 660 minutes off.

Daily Electric Energy Used (64.0 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (9.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy most of the day, not much sun. A deficit of 54.9 kWh.

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Sunday (04-January-2020) — New Jersey

Wintertime Indoor Hydroponic Gardening

Prior to my trip to Florida, I shut down several of the hydroponic gardens since I would not be able to add water or plant food. I harvested and froze the Bok Choi, Swiss Chard, Kale, and Basil. I was amazed to see how big the roots were in some of these systems. I let the AeroGarden Farms at floor level remain on while gone. These have the ability to add water via an auxiliary 1 gallon bottle with a gravity siphon. The AeroGarden Farms at floor level were programed for “Vacation Mode” which reduces the number of hours per day that the LED lights were on. The thermostat for the house was also reduced. This way, I hoped that some of the plants would survive. When I returned, the water levels in the hydroponic systems were pretty low but as you can see in the following images a good deal of the plants did survive.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato plants at 107 days. Harvested a few small yellow tomatoes. Reset the LED lights to 16.5 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Tomato, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.01 and the TDS was 278 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Left. Tomato Plants (107 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Various “edible” flowers (Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula) at 109 days. Trimmed and pruned the dead flowers and leaves. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 5 minutes on, 55 minutes off (Lettuce, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.55 and TDS was 102 ppm. Added 24 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and no pH/buffer adjustment.

AeroGarden Farm 01-Right. Flowers: Dianthus, Snapdragon, Marigold, Calendula (109 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02-Left. Pepper plants at 106 days. The plants are still pretty small. Reset the LED lights to 16.5 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Peppers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.4 and the TDS was 150 ppm. Added 24 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 02, Right. Pepper Plants (106 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 02-Right. Herb plants (Dill, Basil, Chives) at 106 days. The dill and parsley doing OK, others not as good. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 5 minutes on, 55 minutes off (Herbs, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.24 and the TDS was 816 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer added.

AeroGarden Farm 02-Right. Herb Plants - Basil, Dill, Parsley (106 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 02-Right. Herb Plants – Basil, Dill, Parsley (106 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 03-Left. Pepper and Basil plants at 106 days. The plants are still pretty small. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Peppers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 6.11 and the TDS was 607 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer added.

AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers - Dianthus, Zinnia, Red Poppy, California Poppy (107 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) — AeroGarden Farm 03-Right. Flowers – Dianthus, Zinnia, Red Poppy, California Poppy (107 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05-Left. Various flowers (Snapdragon, Celosia, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gazania, Poppy) at 58 days. None blooming, pruned some of the large zucchini leaves from the next tray blocking the plants. Unknown one growing, but no flowers. Red and California poppies not blooming yet. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Flowers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.4 and TDS was 518 ppm. No additional plant food or buffer added.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini and other vegetables at 58 days. The zucchini plants growing vigorously, others not as good. Reset the LED lights to 16.5 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Vegetables, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 5.1 and the TDS was 180 ppm. Added 16 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food and 1 mL of buffer up solution.

AeroGarden Farm 05-Right. Zucchini Plants (58 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. Noted fruit flies. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Flowers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.27 and TDS was 128 ppm. Added 20 mL of Root Farm Base solution, 20 mL of Root Farm Flower and Fruit solution, and 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Left. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Most plants growing well, harvested several strawberries. Noted fruit flies. Reset the LED lights to 17 hours on per day, and the pump to 60 minutes on, 0 minutes off (Flowers, High Growth Setting). After topping off with DI water, the pH was 4.3 and TDS was 753 ppm. Added 2 mL of buffer up.

AeroGarden Farm 07-Right. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tubs 01 and 02. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Plants in tub 01 not doing well, Plants in tub 02 growing with some strawberries and runners.

Hydroponic Tub 01-02. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tubs 03 and 04. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Plants in both tubs growing well with strawberries and runners.

Hydroponic Tub 03-04. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1000, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tubs 05 and 06. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Plants in tub 01 not doing well, Plants in tub 06 growing with some strawberries and runners.

Hydroponic Tub 05-06. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tubs 07 and 08. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Plants in tub 07 alive, and the ones in tub 08 growing well with strawberries and runners.

Hydroponic Tub 07-08. Strawberry Plants (85 days). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (61.5 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (4.17 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy most of the day, not much sun. A deficit of 57.3 kWh. Some of the hydroponic gardens are still off, but the GeoThermal HVAC system and hot water heater are back up to normal temperatures.

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Sunday (22-December-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Nature in New Jersey.

Since I will be off to Florida for the holidays, I needed to harvest and shut down the indoor AeroGarden farms. The farms on the ground level have an extra 1 gallon water bottle with a gravity feed, so I will try to keep the plants in these trays going. The AeroGarden Farms also have a “vacation mode” where the lights are only on for 8 hours (rather than 16-17 hours). The Swiss Chard, Broccoli Raab, Kale, Basil, and Arugula were all harvested, packed in vacuum bags and frozen. The other greens and leaves were bagged for the Florida chickens. I was able to harvest two more strawberries before leaving.

Click on the above image to access my PhotoShelter gallery with the individual images in the following slide show.

Daily Electric Energy Used (59.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.7 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Rained much of the day. Overall a net deficit of 25.7 kWh. Most of the hydroponic gardens were off or only on for fewer hours. Also, the thermostat for the Geothermal heater and hybrid heat pump hot water heater were set for vacation mode.

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Friday (20-December-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Nature in New Jersey.

I harvested my first indoor hydroponic Broccoli today. Most folks didn’t believe it could be done. The broccoli leaves were giant allowing only two plants to thrive in a single AeroGarden Farm hydroponic tray. The Cauliflower also just started to form a head. Unfortunately, since I was about to leave for Florida for a couple of weeks it would not have time to fully develop. Both the Broccoli and Cauliflower went into my stir-fry dinner.

Indoor Hydroponic Broccoli Harvest. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/2.5, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (96.9 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (35.2 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Rained much of the day. Overall a net deficit of 61.7 kWh.