Thursday (07-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic Strawberry Gardens Update.

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray, Day 28. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, the plants seem worse and/or have died. The roots are brown with very few if any new white roots. I checked the pH (4.54) and TDS (520 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray, Day 28. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, the plants seem worse and/or have died. The roots are brown with very few if any new white roots. I checked the pH (4.19) and TDS (553 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). 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)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). 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)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Left Tray, Day 28. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, some plants seem worse and/or have died, although some have new white roots. I checked the pH (5.07) and TDS (714 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Right Tray, Day 28. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, some plants seem worse and/or have died, although many have new white roots. I checked the pH (5.09) and TDS (720 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

I ended up culling the dead plants in all of the above gardens. Those that had new white roots were all moved to Farm 07 Left Tray and Farm 07 Right Tray. The dead leaves were trimmed. The hydroponic bath solution was replaced with 8.0 L rain water plus 15 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 15 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Farm 07 Left pH (6.5) TDS (750); Farm 07 Right pH (6.27) TDS (726). Will check back in one and two weeks to see if these plants continue to grow.

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray. Cleaned and filled with 8.0 L rain water with 16 mL of MiracleGro/AeroGarden plant food (4-3-6); pH (6.45) TDS (424 ppm). The tray was then planted with L01-L03 Cucumber (Burpee); L04-L06 Kale (Burpee); L07-L09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); L10-L12 Bunching Onions (Botanical Interests).

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray. Cleaned and filled with 8.0 L rain water with 16 mL of MiracleGro/AeroGarden plant food (4-3-6); pH (6.45) TDS (432 ppm). The tray was then planted with R01-R03 Zucchini (Botanical Interest); R04-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); R10-R12 Bunching Onions (Burpee).

Daily Electric Energy Used (71.6 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (14.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy all day plus rain. Overall a net deficit of 57.5 kWh.

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Thursday (24-October-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic Strawberry Gardens Update.

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray, Day 14. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.53) and dissolved solids (704 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L DI water and 24 mL of Miracle Grow plant food). New ph 4.38 and dissolved solids (570 ppm). I hope this turns things around.

AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.77) and dissolved solids (533 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L DI water and 24 mL of Miracle Grow plant food). New ph 4.38 and dissolved solids (570 ppm). I hope this turns things around.

AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Left Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.77) and dissolved solids (489 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L rain barrel water and 17 mL of Base and 17 mL of Bloom plant food). New ph 6.08 and dissolved solids (750 ppm). I hope this turns things around.

AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Right Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.70) and dissolved solids (500 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L rain barrel water and 17 mL of Base and 17 mL of Bloom plant food). New ph 5.95 and dissolved solids (708 ppm). I hope this turns things around.

AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Day 31 and Tub 02 (Right) Day 14. Tub 01 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 02 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 01 (pH 6.06, 698 ppm); Tube 02 (pH 5.62, 740 ppm). The trays were drained and replaced with 6 L of rain barrel water and 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food. Tub 01 (pH 6.06, 727 ppm). Tub 02 (pH 6.16, 739 ppm)

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 02 (Right) Roots. Day 24; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 02 (Right) Roots. Day 24; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Sweet Charlie Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 03 (pH 4.52, >1000 ppm); Tube 02 (pH 4.25, 693 ppm). The tubs were drained and replaced with 6 L of rain barrel water and 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food. Tub 03 (pH 6.18, 716 ppm). Tub 04 (pH 6.05, 707 ppm).

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right). L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right). L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 04 (Left) Roots. Day 24 R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 04 (Left) Roots. Day 24 R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Day 31 and Tub 06 (Right) Day 14. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 05 (pH 5.53, 690 ppm); Tube 06 (pH 5.56, 683 ppm). Did not change the solution, just added 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food.

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Day 14 and Tub 08 (Right) Day 14. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 07 (pH 5.25, 733 ppm); Tube 08 (pH 5.00, 687 ppm). Did not change the solution, just added 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food.

Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right). L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right). L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (61.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (34.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Another sunny day, but at this time of the year the sun is lower, and the Sycamore tree leaves shadow the solar panels part of the day. Overall a net deficit of 26.7 kWh.

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Sunday (20-October-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Autumn Nature in New Jersey

Daily walkabout with a Fuji X-H1 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens and 1.4x teleconverter. I was looking to see what survived he frost we had a couple nights ago. There are still some Cosmos, Marigold, Lemon-Mint, and Larkspur flowers. The Burma Water Gourd vine is also still blooming. I see a couple of gourds have set, but don’t expect them them to get much bigger than they are. I also found I still have some late season strawberries.

Click on the above image to access my Photoshelter Gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.


Daily Electric Energy Used (64.8 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (6.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. It rained most of the day so not much sun. Overall a net deficit of 58.5 kWh. Geothermal HVAC to heat the house (2.7 kWh), Hydroponics (22.6 kWh), Computers and Servers (21.7 kWh), Kitchen (3.4 kWh).

Weekly Electric Energy Used (410 kWh) from Sense and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (192 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 218 kWh.

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Saturday (12-October-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic Gardens Weekly Update.

AeroGarden Farm 01, Left Tray, Day 24. Red Heirloom Tomatoes and Golden Harvest Tomatoes (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, but growth is slow. Do they need a higher temperature? Indoor temperatures have ranged from mid 60’s to mid 70’s.

AeroGarden Farm 01 Left Tray at 24 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 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01 Left Tray at 24 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 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 01, Right Tray, Day 24. A variety of lettuce plants showing robust growth. Red Romain, Deer Tongue, Paris Island, Black-seeded Simpson, and Red Sails (seed pods from AeroGarden). One Red Romain did not sprout. Already harvested leaves from the rapidly growing plants once, and need to again. The Dill, Chives, and Genovese Basil (seed pods from AeroGarden) all sprouted, but are small. They are being crowded out by the lettuce plants. I plan to move them to a different Farm tray.

AeroGarden Farm 01 Right Tray at 24 days. R01, R03 Red Romaine; R02 Deer Tongue; R04, R06 Marvel of 4 Seasons; R05 Paris Island; R07, R09 Black-seeded Simpson; R08 Red Sails; R10 Dill; R11 Chives; R12 Genovese Basil. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01 Right Tray at 24 days. R01, R03 Red Romaine; R02 Deer Tongue; R04, R06 Marvel of 4 Seasons; R05 Paris Island; R07, R09 Black-seeded Simpson; R08 Red Sails; R10 Dill; R11 Chives; R12 Genovese Basil. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden  Farm 02, Left Tray, Day 23. Mini-Jalapeno Peppers, Purple Super Hot Peppers, Red Fire Peppers (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, but growth is slow. Do they need a higher temperature? Indoor temperatures have ranged from mid 60’s to mid 70’s. Chives (seeds from Sustainable Seeds) did not sprout.

AeroGarden Farm 02 Left Tray at 23 days. L01-L03 Mini Jalapeno Peppers; L04-L06 Purple Super Hot Pepper; L07-L09 Red Fire Pepper, and Chives. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02 Left Tray at 23 days. L01-L03 Mini Jalapeno Peppers; L04-L06 Purple Super Hot Pepper; L07-L09 Red Fire Pepper, and Chives. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 02, Right Tray, Day 23. Romaine Lettuce (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, and most are growing robustly. Time to harvest some leaves. The front three positions are Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). The plants all sprouted and are growing, but are being partially blocked by the Romaine.  I plan to move them to a different Farm tray.

AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 23 days. R01-R09 Romain; R10-R12 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 23 days. R01-R09 Romain; R10-R12 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03, Left Tray, Day 23. Broccoli, Swiss Chard, Basil, Dill, and Parsley (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Broccoli plants sprouted, but growth for two are being crowded by the Swiss Chard plant. Only one of the Swiss Chard plants sprouted, and is growing robustly. I will move it to the front of the tray, and try to start two new plants. The Basil, Dill, and Parsley plants sprouted, but are growing slow. I plan to move them to a different tray.  Positions L04-L06 will be plugged to allow space for the faster growing and larger plants.

AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 23 days. L01-L03 Broccoli; L04-06 Swiss Chard; L07-L09 Basil; L10 Dill; L11-12 Parsley. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 23 days. L01-L03 Broccoli; L04-06 Swiss Chard; L07-L09 Basil; L10 Dill; L11-12 Parsley. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 03, Right Tray, Day 23. Cauliflower,  Kale, Cilantro, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Cauliflower plants sprouted, and are growing robustly. Two of the three Kale plants sprouted, and are growing. All Cilantro plants sprouted but are growing slowly. The I will move it to the front of the tray, and try to start two new plants. Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme have sprouted but are tiny . I plan to move the three herbs to a different tray.  I will move the Kale to positions R07-R08 and try to start another Kale plant for position R09.  The Cilantro to the front three positions R10-R12. Positions R04-R06 will be plugged to allow more space for the Cauliflower and Kale.

AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 23 days. R01-R03 Cauliflower; R04-R06 Kale; R07-R09 Cilantro; R10 Oregano; R11 Rosemary; R12 Thyme. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 23 days. R01-R03 Cauliflower; R04-R06 Kale; R07-R09 Cilantro; R10 Oregano; R11 Rosemary; R12 Thyme. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray, Day 02. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The dirt was washed off the strawberry plugs and placed into AeroGarden pod holders.

AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray, Day 02. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The dirt was washed off the strawberry plugs and placed into AeroGarden pod holders.

AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Left Tray, Day 02. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The dirt was washed off the strawberry plugs and placed into AeroGarden pod holders.

AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 02. L01-L12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 02. L01-L12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Right Tray, Day 02. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The dirt was washed off the strawberry plugs and placed into AeroGarden pod holders.

AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 02. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Bounty 01, 18 Days. Cosmos Dwarf Sensation, Cosmos Early Dwarf, Zinnia Thumbelina, Zinnia Lilliput Mix, Marigold Sparky Mix, Blanket Flower, Sweet Alyssum, Lance-leaf Coreopsis, and Plains Coreopsis (All wildflower seeds from American Meadows). All plants sprouted. The two Cosmos, two Zinnia, Marigold, and Plains Coreopsis are growing well. The Blanket Flower, Sweet Alyssum, and Lance-leaf Coreopsis are still very small.

AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 18 days. 01 Cosmos Dwarf Sensation; 02 Cosmos Early Dwarf; 03 Zinnia Thumbelina; 04 Zinnia Lilliput Mix; 05 Marigold Sparky Mix; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Coreopsis Plains. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 18 days. 01 Cosmos Dwarf Sensation; 02 Cosmos Early Dwarf; 03 Zinnia Thumbelina; 04 Zinnia Lilliput Mix; 05 Marigold Sparky Mix; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Coreopsis Plains. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 125, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Bounty 02, 18 Days. Crimson Clover, California Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Red Poppy Mix, Red Poppy, Blue Cornflower, Purple Cornflower, Lemon Mint, Lupine (All wildflower seeds from American Meadows). The Blue Cornflower (Bachelor Button) is growing robustly. The Oriental Poppy and Purple Cornflower have not sprouted. The remaining planse sprouted, but are small and growing slowly.

AeroGarden Bounty 02 (Right) at 18 days. 01 Crimson Clover, ; 02 California Poppy; 03 Oriental Poppy; 04 Red Poppy Mix; 05 Red Poppy; 06 Blue Cornflower; 07 Purple Cornflower; 08 Lemon Mint; 09 Lupine. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Bounty 02 (Right) at 18 days. 01 Crimson Clover, ; 02 California Poppy; 03 Oriental Poppy; 04 Red Poppy Mix; 05 Red Poppy; 06 Blue Cornflower; 07 Purple Cornflower; 08 Lemon Mint; 09 Lupine. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens. (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Classic-6 01, 08 Days. Celosia, Phlox Mix, Orange Gazana, Yellow Coreopsis, and Dianthus (All seed pods from AeroGarden). The Phlox Mix and Dianthus have not sprouted yet. The others sprouted, but are still small.

AeroGarden 01 (East) at 8 days. 01 Celosia; 02 Celosia; 03 Phlox Mix; 04 Orange Gazania; 05 Yellow Coreopsis; 06 Dianthus. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden 01 (East) at 8 days. 01 Celosia; 02 Celosia; 03 Phlox Mix; 04 Orange Gazania; 05 Yellow Coreopsis; 06 Dianthus. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Classic-6 02, 08 Days. Celosia, Purple Snapdragon, Lavender, and Dianthus (All seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants have sprouted, but are still small.

AeroGarden 02 (South) at 8 days. 01 Celosia; 02 Celosia; 03 Purple Snapdragon; 04 Lavender; 05 Dianthus; 06 Purple Snapdragon. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden 02 (South) at 8 days. 01 Celosia; 02 Celosia; 03 Purple Snapdragon; 04 Lavender; 05 Dianthus; 06 Purple Snapdragon. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Day 19 and Tub 02 (Right) Day 02. Tub 01 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 02 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS).

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Sweet Charlie Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS).

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right). L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right). L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Day 19 and Tub 06 (Right) Day 02. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS).

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/10, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/10, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Chandler Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS).

Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right). L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/10, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right). L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/10, 1/2 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (56.8 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (38.8 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun than yesterday.  Overall a net deficit of 18.0 kWh.

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Thursday (10-October-2019) — New Jersey

Autumn Indoor Gardening in New Jersey

After the deer ate my strawberry plants in the canvas pots on my patio, I tried to get some strawberry plants started indoors in the hydroponic gardens. I cut some of the runners from the Garden Towers. After 2 weeks only a small percentage started growing roots. Most were dead. Later, I read that the runners are better started still connected to the mother plant. I then ordered some strawberry plugs (Sweet Charlie and Chandler) from ISONS in Georgia. These are delivered in October for fall planting. I decided to try some indoors in the hydroponic gardens, and the others outside in the canvas pots (replacing the ones the deer ate). Time-lapse video of the indoor planting.

Daily Electric Energy Used (51.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (30.9 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. The sun came out in the afternoon.  Overall a net deficit of 20.2 kWh.

Current Weather Conditions

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