Although many of the plants started in January (or last fall) in the AeroGarden Farms are nearing the end of their lifecycle, I am still harvesting tomatoes and strawberries. The strawberry plants will be transplanted outside into a Grow Tower system. This will be an experiment since some of these plants came from the outdoor Grow Towers last fall. I’m still waiting to see if the Hot Peppers and Ground Cherries will ripen indoors. They are being slow. I am not sure if this is a temperature or amount of light issue.
Daily Electric Energy Used (51.6 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (8.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of rain and clouds. A deficit of 43.5 kWh.
Weekly Electric Energy Used (403 kWh) from Sense Home Energy Monitor and meter readings. Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (310 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. A deficit of 93 kWh. I hoped to go net positive this week, but too many cloudy and rainy days. Numbers corrected by meter readings for the time that the Sense monitor was offline.
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-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 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. 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 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. 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 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 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-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.
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 Tubs 03 and 04. Strawberry plants at 85 days. Plants in both tubs growing well with strawberries and runners.
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 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.
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.
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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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 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, Right Tray, Day 02. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The dirt was washed off the strawberry plugs and placed into AeroGarden pod holders.
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 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 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 Classic-6 02, 08 Days. Celosia, Purple Snapdragon, Lavender, and Dianthus (All seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants have sprouted, but are still small.
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 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Sweet Charlie Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS).
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 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Chandler Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS).
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.
I finally discovered that it is the Grey Catbirds that are pecking at the tomatoes in my patio garden. Over half of the ripe tomatoes that picked today had been eaten by the Catbirds. Too bad the neighborhood cats that patrol my patio haven’t caught onto this opportunity.
It rained most of the morning, so I wasn’t able to get out until the afternoon to check out the garden towers on the patio. Between the timed sprinklers and all of the rain while I was in Germany, most of the plants survived. Indeed lots of invasive weeds and vines. I was able to pick the ripe Italian and Cherry tomatoes. I had to discard a bunch of the tomatoes that had rotted. There were some giant cucumbers that I missed before traveling. A number of the hot peppers turned red, so I also picked them. There were flowers blooming on the morning-glory vines growing up the trellis on my chimney.