If you want a guaranteed method of growing produce and even flowers indoors—try an AeroGarden. This state-of-the-art growing system makes it easy to enjoy homegrown salad greens, cherry tomatoes, herbs and even flowers.
To use the AeroGarden, you simply insert seed pods into these hydroponic gardens and watch them sprout and grow into healthy, robust plants. You can use the AeroGarden to grow just about anything at any time of the year. The LED lighting simulates sunlight. A water reservoir and easy-to-follow nutrient feeding regimen ensures the plants stay healthy and produce well.
“Many people are intimidated by indoor gardening, but the Aerogarden demystifies the experience,” says Paul Rabaut, marketing director for AeroGarden and an avid indoor gardener. “This hydroponic growing method provides a foolproof way to enjoy a lush indoor garden.”
Besides being surrounded by dozens of AeroGardens in the office, Rabaut has two AeroGardens at home. He enjoys growing herbs and veggies for cooking in one and in the other flowers to add a splash of color to his interior.
The AeroGarden consists of a water reservoir and pump, as well as a LED lighting system. Some models include a Wi-Fi system that comes with an app that you use to get instructions on plant care, such as when and how to feed plants and prune and pollinate them.
The AeroGarden dates back to 2002 when two gardening enthusiasts created the revolutionary hydroponic system. In 2006, they launched the growing system and received positive reviews. In 2013,
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company became an equity investor. Today, the AeroGarden is sold online and in brick-and-mortar stores throughout the U.S and several countries.
You can choose from a wide variety of AeroGardens, from large “farm” models that can grow an abundance of produce and flowers, to small kitchen countertop units that grow three plants at once. There’s even a kid’s model featuring pizza herbs. The units come in several colors, including silver, red, white and black.
One of the reasons the AeroGarden is so successful is the lighting system. Today’s models feature long-lasting LED lights that cost just pennies a day to operate.
“Indoor gardeners often have difficulty growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers indoors because of a lack of proper lighting,” says Rabaut. “A sunny window doesn’t deliver the same amount of light that you find outdoors, but the AeroGarden LED lighting simulates daylight. The systems are also set up to provide just the right amount of lighting, depending on what you’re growing.”
The AeroGarden system offers 50 pods featuring a wide variety of non-GMO seeds so you can enjoy growing plants like basil, rosemary, bell pepper, hot pepper, cherry tomato, salad greens, kale, Asian herbs, tea herbs, lavender and flowers like
petunia, celosia and zinnia. They also carry empty seed pods where you can plant your own seeds and a 31-pod seed starter kit.
“There’s really no limit to what you can grow indoors in an AeroGarden,” says Rabaut. “I encourage indoor gardeners to experiment. You’re likely to be surprised at what sprouts up for you.”
Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
