2 Years Using The AeroGarden (My 2024 Review)

Ever thought about growing fresh herbs and veggies right in your kitchen? I did, and that’s when I stumbled upon the AeroGarden. This sleek, countertop garden promises a bounty of fresh produce without the mess of traditional gardening.

I’ve always loved the idea of having a green thumb, but my tiny apartment and busy schedule made it seem impossible. Enter the AeroGarden: a high-tech solution that claims to make indoor gardening a breeze. Curious about its real-life performance?

Pros

• Compact and Cute Design: The AeroGarden Harvest is seriously compact. I live in a tiny apartment and countertop space is precious. It fits perfectly next to my coffee maker without hogging all the room. Plus, it has this sleek, modern look that doesn’t scream “I’m a gardening geek.”
• Easy Setup: Setting it up was a breeze—I’m talking 20 minutes flat. The instructions were clear, and I didn’t need any tools, which was a win for someone who usually struggles with IKEA furniture. It’s practically plug-and-play. Fill the water, drop in the seed pods, and you’re good to go.
• Automated Controls: The automated lighting and watering system means I don’t have to remember to water my plants or figure out how many hours of light they need. The light even mimics natural sunlight, which must be a big reason my herbs look so lush.
• Growth Speed: Let me tell you, this thing grows plants at warp speed. I swear, I started seeing sprouts in just a few days. Basil, dill, and mint were practically doing high kicks by the end of the first week. If you’re impatient like me, this is a definite win.
• Year-Round Gardening: Seasons can be unpredictable. But with this, you can keep growing stuff year-round, even when it’s snowing outside. That means fresh herbs for my winter soups.

Cons

• Noise Level: Let’s get real, this baby isn’t whisper-quiet. The water pump makes a bit of noise, which is noticeable in a small apartment. If you’re someone who needs total silence or you’re easily annoyed by background hums, this might bug you.
• Limited Plant Options: The AeroGarden Harvest comes with a decent variety of seed pods, but you’re mostly sticking to herbs and small veggies. Want to grow a tomato jungle? You’ll need a different model. This thing is perfect for herbs and small plants but limits your green thumb dreams.
• Dependency on Pods: The system pretty much locks you into buying AeroGarden’s seed pods. Sure, they work great, but it feels like a bit of a trap. They can get pricey, and sometimes you might want to use your seeds. Their pods are convenient but come at a cost.
• Light Brightness: Heads up, the LED lights are super bright. While it’s great for plant growth, it can feel like you’ve got a mini sun in your kitchen.

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What Is An AeroGarden?

Alright, so you know how we’re all kinda obsessed with fresh herbs and veggies these days, but garden space or the right weather can be a complete buzzkill?

Enter the AeroGarden—a mini indoor garden that makes you feel like you’ve got a green thumb even if you can’t keep a cactus alive.

Picture this: a sleek, compact unit that fits perfectly on your kitchen counter, growing fresh herbs, salad greens, or even cherry tomatoes with zero soil mess. Yep, you heard me right. No dirt’s involved.

The AeroGarden is essentially a smart garden—like those fancy smart appliances everyone’s talking about, but this one grows food. It uses hydroponics, which is a fancy way of saying it grows plants in water instead of soil.

It comes with its own built-in grow lights and automated features, so you don’t need to worry about whether your basil is getting too much or too little sunlight.

The model I’ve been fawning over, the AeroGarden Harvest, can grow up to six plants at a time. If we’re talking about what it looks like, imagine a small rectangular black box with LED lights hovering over it, sort of like a high-tech lamp watching over your precious herbs.

Aerogarden Review

Setting Up The Aerogarden

Setting up the AeroGarden was pretty much a piece of cake. I’m the kind of person who skips instructions and jumps right in, and even then, I had it up and running in about 10 minutes.

Everything you need comes in the box. Just pop in the seed pods, fill the water reservoir, add the plant food, and you’re good to go.

The control panel even lights up to remind you when it's feeding or watering time, which is pretty handy if you tend to forget (guilty as charged).

Specifications

The AeroGarden Harvest model I have can handle up to six plants at a time. It uses hydroponic technology, which means no messy soil to deal with. The built-in LED grow lights are bright and have a full spectrum that mimics natural sunlight.

With dimensions of 11 x 8 x 15 inches, it’s compact enough to fit on most countertops. The water reservoir holds about 1 liter, which lasts roughly two weeks before needing a refill.

App Experience

If you’re into apps, AeroGarden’s app might be your new best friend. It connects to your garden via Bluetooth and sends you notifications about when to add water, plant food, or even when it’s harvest time.

You can also use it to customize light settings if you want to get fancy. I found it intuitive and easy to navigate, although it's not strictly necessary for running the garden. It’s like having a gardening coach in your pocket.

Plant Options

When it comes to plant options, AeroGarden offers a good selection but don’t expect to grow pumpkins or watermelons.

They mostly have herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro, plus a few veggies like cherry tomatoes and jalapeños. You can also buy blank pods to plant your own seeds if you’re feeling adventurous. Just remember, smaller plants work best to avoid overcrowding.

Day To Day Use

Day-to-day use is as low-maintenance as it gets. The AeroGarden really does most of the work for you. The lights turn on and off automatically, usually staying on for 15-16 hours a day, which can be a bit bright if you place it in your living room like I did.

Watering and feeding intervals are infrequent, thanks to the reminders on the app and control panel. Watching the plants grow is rewarding, and it adds a nice touch of green to the apartment.

Price

The AeroGarden Harvest will set you back around $100. The seed pod kits and plant food are extra, but not crazy expensive.

When you compare it to the cost and hassle of buying fresh herbs at the store, it evens out. Plus, there’s something satisfying about snipping off your own fresh basil for that homemade pesto.

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Aerogarden Model Comparison

AeroGarden Harvest

I mentioned the AeroGarden Harvest earlier. It’s the choice for beginners. Think of it as the “starter pack” of indoor gardening. It’s compact, fits on your kitchen counter, and grows up to six plants.

Super convenient if you’re looking to grow herbs or small veggies without breaking a sweat. Its LED grow lights make sure your plants get the TLC they need, and the price point—right around $100—isn’t too shabby for what you get.

AeroGarden Bounty

If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, the AeroGarden Bounty might be your jam. It’s got room for nine plants, so more herbs, more tomatoes, more everything. This bad boy comes with a touchscreen control panel that’s about as easy to use as your smartphone.

Plus, it’s got a super bright 50-watt grow light to really kick your plant growth into high gear. I’ve had friends who’ve pulled off growing pretty impressive tomatoes and peppers with this one.

It’s a bit pricier—hovering around $200 - $300—but if you’re looking for a little more bang for your buck, it’s worth considering.

AeroGarden Farm

And for those of you ready to go full-on urban farmer, meet the AeroGarden Farm. This one’s a beast. It can grow up to 24 plants at once in two separate 12-pod sections.

Lights are adjustable and it has Wi-Fi, so you can control it with an app on your phone. I know, right? You can sit on your couch and tell your garden what to do.

I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—at $400, it’s an investment. But if you’re serious about having a continuous supply of fresh produce, it’s hard to beat.

My AeroGarden Experience

Alright, let's jump into my hands-on AeroGarden adventure. I gotta admit, when I first unboxed my AeroGarden Harvest, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

The sleek design made it seem more like a futuristic gadget than a garden—definitely a plus when you're juggling limited counter space in your cozy apartment.

Setting up? Piece of cake! The instructions were straightforward, and within minutes, I had the water basin filled, seed pods nestled in, and the LED lights ready to shine.

I've tried gardening the old-fashioned way and trust me, this was way more satisfying. No dirt under my nails or mosquito bites. Plus, the AeroGarden app walked me through each step like a personal gardening assistant.

When it came to picking what to plant, I was all over the place. Basil? Check. Mint? Yep. Tomatoes? Why not? The Harvest can grow six plants at a time, so I went with a little bit of everything. There's something so thrilling about watching those tiny sprouts turn into full-grown herbs and veggies.

I'm known for being a bit forgetful (just ask my dying houseplants), but the AeroGarden made it nearly impossible to mess up.

The LED lights mimic natural sunlight and are on a timer, so I didn't have to worry about moving it around to catch the best light. And the app notifications reminded me when it was time to add water or nutrients, so I felt like a garden pro with minimal effort.

My basil and mint sprouted within a week, and before I knew it, they were ready for harvest. The constant light and controlled environment kept the plants healthy and lush. No pests, no diseases—just a mini garden of Eden right in my kitchen.

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Tips to Maximize Herb Growth & Production With The Aerogarden

Check On It Once a Day

Think of your AeroGarden like a pet that doesn’t shed or bark but still needs a little TLC. Just a quick peek once a day can make a industry of difference. Is the water level okay?

Those LED lights still doing their thing? Any signs of your herbs getting cozy with pests? Now, I’m not saying you need to set a timer or wear a lab coat, but making it part of your daily routine can save you from surprises.

Take a peek before you head out for the day or while sipping your morning coffee. This little habit keeps you in the loop with your mini garden.

Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to see how much they grow from one day to the next. Think of it like daily progress checks on your personal herb army.

Turn and Move the Pods

Plants are the sun worshippers of the natural industry. But since your AeroGarden doesn't have the sun moving across the sky, you’ve got to help out a bit.

Turn and move the pods every week or so. This ensures all sides get an equal share of that sweet LED glow, preventing the plants from leaning in awkward directions.

Remember that old saying about plants growing toward the light? Well, they weren’t kidding. By rotating the pods, you’re acting as a personal trainer for your herbs, helping them grow strong and upright. Think of it as giving your plants a little exercise. Hey, even basil needs to work out sometimes.

Prune Regularly

Here’s where you can channel your inner Edward Scissorhands. Pruning might sound like some high-level gardening skill, but it’s really just a fancy term for cutting back your plants.

Trust me, it’s easier than you think—and very important. Regular pruning prevents your herbs from getting too leggy and encourages them to grow bushier and fuller.

I usually give my herbs a little trim once a week. Snip above a node (that’s the fancy term for the part where leaves come out) and watch new shoots spring up in no time.

It’s a bit like giving your herbs a haircut—they’ll look better and grow healthier. Plus, who doesn’t love a good, homegrown garnish on their pasta?

Don’t Neglect the Roots

The roots might not be visible most of the time, but they’re the unsung heroes of your AeroGarden operation. Every month or so, lift those pods and check the roots. Are they looking healthy and white or are they starting to crowd each other out?

If things are getting a bit tangled, it’s root trimming time. Gently snip away some of the longer roots to keep them in check.

A little-maintained root system means better water and nutrient absorption.

Is The Aerogarden Worth It?

The ease of use is a major selling point. The setup ain’t rocket science.. You snap a few parts together, pop in the seed pods, fill the water, and bam! You're in business. Even the least tech-savvy person in your life could manage it.

When it comes to performance, the AeroGarden pretty much nails it. The hydroponic technology mixed with LED grow lights ensures that your plants get the perfect amount of nutrients and light, 24/7.

No sun? No problem. I once forgot I even had it for a week, and those little guys were still thriving when I remembered to check in. Now that's durability.

An AeroGarden Harvest runs you somewhere around $100. Is it worth that chunk of change? Here’s the deal: If you’re someone who buys fresh herbs regularly, this thing will pay for itself in no time.

Fresh basil from the grocery store can cost you $3-4 a pop. Grow your own, and you’re looking at a important saving over time.

Plus, the sheer convenience of snipping off a sprig of mint for mojitos or a handful of thyme for your roast chicken, right in your kitchen, is a game-changer.

Compared to its competitors, the AeroGarden holds its own pretty well. Other indoor gardening systems might require more manual intervention, like adjusting water levels or making sure the lights are positioned just right.

With AeroGarden, everything is almost idiot-proof. The system even alerts you when it needs more water or nutrients. It’s like having a gardening assistant without needing to spare a square foot of your yard.

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Frequently Asked Aerogarden Questions

Is AeroGarden Safe?

You bet it is! The AeroGarden is about as safe as having a houseplant, maybe even safer if you wanna get technical. Because it uses hydroponic technology, there’s no soil involved.

That means no pests, no dirt spills, and significantly less mess in your lovely living space. The water and nutrients used are perfectly balanced and the LED lights are designed to be super-efficient without heating up.

How Much Does it Cost to Run an AeroGarden?

AeroGarden running costs are surprisingly low. The main cost comes from electricity for the LED lights and the water pump, but it’s so minimal you won’t even see a blip on your electric bill. To give you an idea, on average, it costs about $1 to $3 a month in electricity.

Another cost to consider is the seed pod kits and plant food you'll need for fresh growth. A pod kit averages around $15 to $20 and can last a few months. It’s like a small investment that keeps on giving, unlike those avocadoes you forget about (we’ve all been there).

Comparing this to constantly buying fresh herbs or lettuce from the store, running an AeroGarden might save you some bucks in the long run.

How Long Does an AeroGarden Last?

AeroGardens are built to last. Mine's been chugging along for a couple of years with minor maintenance. If you keep it clean and follow the basic upkeep—like replacing water and nutrients regularly—yours should last several years too.

It’s also pretty modular. The LED lights can be replaced if they start to flicker, and the water pump usually lasts for a good long while before needing any attention.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it the AeroGarden Harvest is a fantastic option for anyone looking to grow plants indoors without the hassle. It's user-friendly and the hydroponic technology makes it super easy to maintain.

The low running costs and durability are just the cherries on top. If you're looking to add a bit of green to your home without getting your hands dirty this might just be the perfect solution for you.

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