AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 42 Days. 01 Crimson Clover; 02 California Poppy; 03 Red Poppy Mix; 04 Lupine; 05 Strawberry; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Strawberry. Only the Crimson Clover, Lupine, and Lemon Mint were doing OK. The others that had previously sprouted died and had mold/algae growing on the substrate. I checked the pH (5.80) and TDS (659 ppm). Additional plant food was not added. The dead plants were removed.
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 42 days. 01 Crimson Clover; 02 California Poppy; 03 Red Poppy Mix; 04 Lupine; 05 Strawberry; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Strawberry. 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 Bounty 02 at 14 days. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy Mix; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy. The Oriental Poppies sprouted, the California poppy is doing well, the Nasturtium didn’t sprout, the cornflower sprouted, and 3 out of 4 of the Red Poppies sprouted. I check the pH (5.65, and TDS (629 ppm). The plants that sprouted were moved to Bounty 01, and a new set of seeds started in Bounty 02.
AeroGarden Bounty 02 at 14 days. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy Mix; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (70.6 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (16.9 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of clouds. Overall a net deficit of 41.1 kWh. Geothermal HVAC was on to heat the house (6.4 kWh).
Beginning with this set of AeroGarden Hydroponic Farms, rather just adding the “recommended” amount of plant food every other week I am going to make the additions based on the target pH (5.5 to 6.5) and TDS (500-800 ppm).
Farm 08 Left (Day 14). Positions F08L01 – F08L12 Bok Choi (AeroGarden). Two of the Bok Choy plants are growing robustly. The others have all sprouted, but are developing more slowly. I measured the pH (5.65) and TDS (373 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.44) and TDS (575 ppm).
Farm 08 Left (14 days). Positions F08L01 – F08L12 Bok Choi (AeroGarden). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Farm 08 Right (Day 14). Edible Flowers (AeroGarden). F08R01, F08R02 Dianthus; F08R03, F08R05 Purple Snapdragon; F08R04, F08R06, F08R07, F08R08 Snapdragon; F0809, F08R12 Durango Marigold; F08R11, F08R11 Calendula. Everything but one of the Snapdragon plants have sprouted. The Calendula and Durango Marigold plants are doing the best. I measured the pH (5.30) and TDS (445 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food and 100 uL of Buffer. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.35) and TDS (675 ppm).
Farm 08 Right (14 days). Edible Flowers (AeroGarden). F08R01, F08R02 Dianthus; F08R03, F08R05 Purple Snapdragon; F08R04, F08R06, F08R07, F08R08 Snapdragon; F0809, F08R12 Durango Marigold; F08R11, F08R11 Calandula. 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)
Farm 09 Left (Day 14.). Positions F09L01 – F09L06 Broccoli (Botanical Interests); Positions F09L07 – F09L12 Cauliflower (Botanical Interests). All but one of the Broccoli plants sprouted and 2 were growing robustly. All of the Cauliflower plants sprouted and 2 were growing robustly. I measured the pH (5.65) and TDS (423 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.60) and TDS (650 ppm).
Farm 09 Left (14 days). Positions F09L01 – F09L06 Broccoli (Botanical Interests); Positions F09L07 – F09L12 Cauliflower (Botanical Interests). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Farm 09 Right (Day 14). Positions F09R01 – F09R03, F09R05 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); F09R07-F09R10, F09R12 Kale (Botanical Interest) F09R04, F09R06, F09R11 Cilantro. Note, originally planted six Swiss Chard and six Kale. Four of the Swiss Chard and five of the Kale are growing well. The two Swiss Chard, and one Kale that didn’t sprout were replaced with sprouted Cilantro from a different Farm. I measured the pH (5.07) and TDS (337 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food and 200 uL of Buffer. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.20) and TDS (520 ppm).
Farm 09 Right (14 days). Positions F09R01 – F09R03, F09R05 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); F09R07-F09R10, F09R12 Kale (Botanical Interest) F09R04, F09R06, F09R11 Cilantro. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Farm 10 Left (Day 14). Positions F10L01 – F10L06 Hatch NM Pepper (Trader Joe); F10L07 – F10L09 Small Red Hot Pepper (Zella Farm); F10L10 – F10L12 Szechuan Pepper (Zella Farm). One Hatch NM pepper and three Szechuan peppers that sprouted were moved to a different Farm, and replaced with new seed pods. I measured the pH (5.40) and TDS (509 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food.. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.33) and TDS (720 ppm).
Farm 10 Left (14 days). Positions F10L01 – F10L06 Hatch NM Pepper (Trader Joe); F10L07 – F10L09 Small Red Hot Pepper (Zella Farm); F10L10 – F10L12 Szechuan Pepper (Zella Farm) 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)
Farm 10 Right (Day 14). Positions F10R01 Cinnamon Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R02 Dark Opal Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R03 Genovese Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R04 Holy (Tulsi) Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R05 Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R06 Lemon Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R07 Sweet Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R08 Thai Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R09-F10R12 Arugula (Botanical Interest). All but the Sweet Basil sprouted. Three of the Arugula plants are growing robustly. I measured the pH (5.79) and TDS (407 ppm). Added 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden (4-3-6) plant food. Afterwards, the resulting pH (5.74) and TDS (620 ppm).
Farm 10 Right (14 days). Positions F10R01 Cinnamon Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R02 Dark Opal Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R03 Genovese Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R04 Holy (Tulsi) Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R05 Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R06 Lemon Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R07 Sweet Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R08 Thai Basil (Tiny Greens); F10R09-F10R12 Arugula (Botanical Interest). 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)
Daily Electric Energy Used (80.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun was out, but much colder outside. Overall a net deficit of 46.8 kWh. Geothermal HVAC was on to heat the house (9.9 kWh). Monthly server backups also adding to the always on usage.
The first of the wildflower seeds that I planted in a AeroGarden hydroponic Farm that started to bloom. It is a “Lilliput Zinnia” from American Meadows. I started this set of seeds 39 days ago. The flower is still only partially open and is taking more than one day to open. It looks like there will be at least two more layer of petals. This is a focus-stacked composite of 66 images taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens. When the next flower starts to bloom, I want to try to do a time-lapse video.
First indoor hydroponic Zinnia flower starting to bloom. Composite of 66 focus stacked images taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/4, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus. (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (80.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun was out, but much colder outside. Overall a net deficit of 46.8 kWh. Geothermal HVAC was on to heat the house (9.9 kWh). Monthly server backups also adding to the always on usage.
At four weeks it was time to add additional plant food, and top off the water for the two “Classic 6” gardens. Since week 2 in Garden 01 the Dianthus has sprouted – but the Yellow Coreopsis appears to have died (mold?). In Garden 02, everything had sprouted by week 2 and now growing slowly. I checked the pH and TDS for the two gardens. Garden 01 pH (5.92) TDS (>1000); Garden 02 pH (5.78) TDS (>1000). The pH is in the OK range (5.5 – 6.5), but the TDS was high (desired 500 – 800 ppm). I decided to clean the bowls and replace the solution with rain water and 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. Afterwards, Garden 01 pH (6.11) TDS (783); Garden 02 pH (6.08) TDS (790). The dead Yellow Coreopsis was replaced with a new seed plug.
AeroGarden “Clasic 6” Great Room 01 at Day 28. Position 01-02: Celosia (Rainbow Fire); Position 03: Phlox Mix; Position 04: Orange Gazania; Position 05: Yellow Coreopsis; Position 06: Dianthus. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)AeroGarden “Classic 6” Great Room 02 at Day 28. Position 01-02: Celosia (Rainbow Fire); Position 03: Purple Snapdragon; Position 04: Lavender; Position 05: Dianthus; Position 06: Purple Snapdragon. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (47.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (17.5 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The power was off for 12 hours, and the temperatures dropped 30 degrees. Overall a net deficit of 29.6 kWh. Geothermal HVAC was on to heat the house.
Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farms 01-03 Week Six (42 days) Update.
AeroGarden Farm 01, Left Tray, Day 42. Red Heirloom Tomatoes and Golden Harvest Tomatoes (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, but growth is still slow. Reflectors didn’t seem to help much. I checked the pH (5.56) and TDS (>1000 ppm). I decided to clean the bath and replace the water (8.0 L rain water) charged with 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.24) and TDS (418 ppm). Three of the Golden Harvest tomato plants that seemed to be dead were replace with new pods.
AeroGarden Farm 01 Left Tray at 42 days. Position 1-6 Red Heirloom Tomatoes. Position 7-12 Golden Harvest Tomatoes. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01, Right Tray, Day 42. A variety of lettuce plants have not grown much in the last two weeks. Red Romain, Deer Tongue, Paris Island, Black-seeded Simpson, and Red Sails (seed pods from AeroGarden). Some leaves were harvested during the last two weeks. I checked the pH (3.60) and TDS (804 ppm). The pH was too acidic. I put my chemist hat on and did a titration to figure how much buffer I needed to add to bring the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Based on the titration I added 5 mL of buffer And 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. This brought the pH up to 5.99.
AeroGarden Farm 01 Right Tray at 42 days. R03 Red Romaine; R02 Deer Tongue; R04, R06 Marvel of 4 Seasons; R05 Paris Island; R07, R09 Black-seeded Simpson; R08 Red Sails. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left Tray, Day 42. Mini-Jalapeno Peppers, Purple Super Hot Peppers, Red Fire Peppers (seed pods from AeroGarden). Growth is still slow, even after adding reflectors. I checked the pH (5.24) and TDS (>1000 ppm). I decided to clean the bath and replace the water (8.0 L rain water) charged with 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.34) and TDS (400 ppm). Removed F02L08 (didn’t germinate/moldy). Replaced with F10L10 Sprouted New Mexico Hatch pepper. Filled positions F02L10, F02L11, F02L12 with sprouted Szechuan peppers from F10L10, F10L11, F10L12.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Left Tray at 42 days. L01-L03 Mini Jalapeno Peppers; L04-L06 Purple Super Hot Pepper; L07-L09 Red Fire Pepper Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Right Tray, Day 42. Romaine Lettuce (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, and most are growing but some developed brown tips. Several leaves harvested during the last two weeks. I checked the pH (4.27) and TDS (459 ppm). The pH was too acidic. I did a titration to figure how much buffer I needed to add to bring the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Based on the titration I added 4 mL of buffer And 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. This brought the pH up to 6.2 and TDS to 760 ppm. I’m thinking of completely removing the middle plants to allow the outer ones more room to grow.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 42 days. R01-R09 Romain; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left Tray, Day 42. Broccoli, Swiss Chard, and Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Broccoli plants sprouted, but one is growing much faster than the others. The remaining Swiss Chard plant that was moved to position 10 is also growing robustly. The Arugula in position 11 an 12 came from a different Farm tray and are fighting to find some light. I checked the pH (6.45) and TDS (215 ppm). The pH is OK, but the robustly growing plants need more fertilizer. Added 15 mL of Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 10 mL of Root Farm Veggie (1-5-7). The new pH (6.25) and TDS (788 ppm). Harvested some Broccoli leaves, and Swiss Chard leaves (that were both used to make soup for lunch) to make room for the other plants.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 42 days. L01-L03 Broccoli; L10 Swiss Chard; L11 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Right Tray, Day 42. Cauliflower, Kale, Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). Two Cauliflower plants are growing robustly (F03R01, F03R03). Two of the Kale plants are growing robustly and had been moved to positions F03R07 and F03R11. The Arugula plant in F03R09 came from a different Farm. The unused positions were all plugged. I checked the pH (6.86) and TDS (327 ppm). The pH is a bit high, and the robustly growing plants need more fertilizer. Added 15 mL of Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 10 mL of Root Farm Veggie (1-5-7). The new pH (6.64) and TDS (824 ppm).
AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 42 days. R01, R03 Cauliflower; R07, R11 Kale; R09 Arugula; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (52.9 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (3.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Clouds and rain all day, some heavy. Overall a net deficit of 49.8 kWh.
Monthly Electric Energy Used (1759 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (792 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 967 kWh. The first month since March where I will be paying a power bill (although significantly reduced based on the surplus remaining from the summer). The hydroponic systems will be adding ~ 700 kWh/month to my power use.
