AeroGarden Bounty 01, 28 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 continue to growing well. The Blanket Flower, Sweet Alyssum, and Lance-leaf Coreopsis are still very small and there is some mold growing on the brown substrate.
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 28 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 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Bounty 02, 28 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 and blocking other positions. The Oriental Poppy and Purple Cornflower have not sprouted. The remaining planse sprouted, but are small and growing slowly.
AeroGarden Bounty 02 (Right) at 28 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 (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
I decided to move the larger successful plants to one of the AeroGarden Farm hydroponic trays where they will have more room to grow and develop. The smaller plants from both Bounty 01 and Bounty 02 that were alive were moved to Bounty 01, and the ones that had not germinated discarded. The tray was cleaned and filled with a fresh growth solution (4.25 L DI water + 12 mL plant food; pH 4.96, 592 ppm). Bounty 02 was was also cleaned and filled with a fresh growth solution (4.25 L DI water + 12 mL plant food; pH 4.93, 584 ppm). It was then restarted with new seeds. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Purple Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy Mix.
The Swiss Chard in Farm 03 Left was blocking other plants and needed to be harvested again.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 33 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/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (59.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (4.6 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy and rainy all day. Overall a net deficit of 54.8 kWh. Geothermal HVAC to heat the house (0 kWh), Hydroponics (22.6 kWh), Computers and Servers (19.5 kWh), Kitchen (2.6 kWh).
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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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)
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 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 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 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)
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.
Wildflowers in bloom and my urban garden. The yucca plant sent shoots up to flower. The local deer really like these, and if I don’t catch and protect the shoots I don’t get any of the yucca flowers. These flowers bloom at night, around a full moon and attract some large moths. Lots of red poppies and cosmos flowers. Other flowers include the blue spiderworts (open for a day, every day new ones), cornflowers (bachelor buttons — attract goldfinches), morning glory vines, and daisy’s. The garden towers are full of fruits and vegetables. One of my sunflower plants is taller than I am. It is also supporting a burma gourd (water gourd plant) that I hope to get some gourds this year.
Daily Power Use (74.2 kWh) from Sense and Solar Production (42.05 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Power use is up since I reduced the indoor temperature provided by the WaterFurnace Geothermal HVAC system. Will raise the indoor temperature to 72°F for tomorrow. The power was also out for a little over one hour in the morning. For safety/code reasons, if the PSE&G power is down, my solar panels are disconnected from the grid. I’m thinking of getting a couple of Tesla PowerWall batteries so this doesn’t happen in the future.
