Hibiscus House: MiracleGro AeroGarden

The girls and I used to joke and say, "The QVC truck is here"! That was of course UPS delivering and because we ordered so much from them that became the name. Times have changed, and I don't order/watch QVC as often as I used to, (this hoarder had to cut it out.) but when I do! I have a tendency to order some things, especially on easy pay that I might think twice about otherwise. This purchase is one that I am so glad to have made! Review up today....

Who knew we would like this thing so much? I never thought of having such a thing. We live in the South, where the growing season is long and we've always been vegetable gardeners.

This is one time I'm glad I listened a minute longer and bought this thing. You want to know a little secret? I'd like to have another for lettuce in the Winter months!

I'm sorry it isn't available now on QVC, but will share the video for information on the product. I think you are able to purchase on Amazon now, although it is more expensive. UPDATE: This exact product isn't sold but more are available at Amazon MiracleGro AeroGarden

This picture was taken April 12th and I can tell you that I've cut some of the herbs at least a dozen times. Oh, I was going to keep accurate records of growing times, cuttings etc. That went out of the window when it came time to watch, enjoy, cut and use.

I unplugged the unit for pic, had to reset time etc. afterwards

I took this picture today, April 16th and exactly 2 months from when I ordered this item. The Dill has been cut a dozen times, the Basil and Cilantro about half that and the Thyme only 3 times. Thyme is a slow grower slow to germinate and in the ground up to 21 days. In this grower it germinated in 7 days!

IN THE BEGINNING

6 Pod System is set up, seeds inserted, nutrients added, pods are beginning germination period

You place the clear pod tops on for better germination.

This AeroGarden came with a Gourmet Seed Pod Kit. I had already ordered packets of seeds for some that I use more in my kitchen and was so excited to get started with those. You can order empty pods to plant your own seeds into so I did that for this purpose. *I won't tell you this is an inexpensive project but it is a fun one and one in which I intend to use year round. Imagine herbs, lettuces and maybe even salad tomatoes growing inside over the winter. I can't wait and will update as to how it works for me.

Display I still have plastic on it and you can see the I guess pollen sprinkled over.

You would think that would be a problem for this extremely allergic lady, but it isn't!

I like the display panel and it is easy to set up at any time. It is virtually worry-free and self running. The machine will let you know what is needed. How simple is that? Love it!

You can see the moisture underneath the pod cap here

Some of the other herbs have grown out of their caps

As you can see, the different germination times do vary

Journal

I would keep one

It is good to have an idea as to how long it takes for future reference

The notes become handy when one of the labels falls off

I knew what that was because I had made a map of what was where.

When these plants grow, you may have to move them around actually, you probably will. Different plants grow at different rates and taller ones may shade the smaller. You will just periodically move and give all some lighting. I also turned them around as you can see on the left. The plant moves toward the light. Turning keeps the plant growing centered instead of leaning.

This picture was taken at 6 weeks

I had already cut the Dill, Chives & Cilantro several times

Cuttings made at 6 weeks

Making my dressing & dips for Easter

My Favorite Herb of all Dill

Who knew?

I hate Dill Pickles

Love Dill, use it in my Ranch Dressing/Dips and Oh the Beau Monde

Drying herbs

I found this out quite by accident: Lay herbs down underneath the light and it will help to dry them. It dries them very quickly too! I had this blender storage bottle I received in a package from At Home With Nikki. A similar one can be purchased from blenderbottle . It was sitting there on counter and the top container is just perfect for storing my dried Dill! Any airtight bottle or container will do to store the dry herbs in.

I was excited to be able to dry them underneath the indirect light from the AeroGarden! How cool is that?