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AeroGarden Bounty Basic - Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light, Black
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Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | AeroGarden |
Color | Black |
Product Dimensions | 17.25"L x 11.25"W x 34"H |
Light Source Wattage | 30 Watts |
About this item
- AeroGarden Bounty Basic hydroponic garden grows up to 9 of your favorite herbs, veggies, or flowers indoors and year-round, without soil
- 30W LED grow light gives your plants the full spectrum of light they need to grow quickly - up to 5x faster than in soil
- Automatic lighting timer and touchscreen control panel allow for easy upkeep, while vacation mode keeps your plants healthy while you're out of town
- Adjustable grow height of 24" and has large water bowl and grow deck
- Includes the Gourmet Herbs Seed Pod Kit, featuring Genovese Basil (2), Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil, Mint, Chives, and Italian Parsley
Customer ratings by feature
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From the manufacturer
AeroGarden Harvest | AeroGarden Harvest Elite | AeroGarden Bounty Elite | AeroGarden Bounty Basic | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars
21,358
|
4.5 out of 5 stars
6,268
|
4.6 out of 5 stars
8,080
|
4.6 out of 5 stars
8,080
|
Grow Height | 12” | 12” | 24” | 24” |
Number of Pods | 6 Pods | 6 Pods | 9 Pods | 9 Pods |
Display Type | Push Button | LCD Screen | Touch Screen | Control Panel |
LED Wattage | 20 Watts | 20 Watts | 50 Watts | 30 Watts |
Type of Finish | Matte | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Matte |
Videos
Videos for this product
5:13
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Aerogarden Bounty Elite - Growing Tomato & Pepper
Irish Chippy
Product guides and documents
From the brand
Product information
Product Dimensions | 16 x 6 x 8 inches |
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Item Weight | 11.47 pounds |
Manufacturer | AeroGarden |
ASIN | B07TDVG5L6 |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | Bounty Basic |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #5,259 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #33 in Plant Germination Kits |
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Product Description
Why wait for the perfect weather to have a great gardening day? Meet the AeroGarden Bounty Basic, a hydroponic garden that grows up to 9 of your favorite herbs, veggies, or flowers year-round, up to 24" high - no sun, soil, or green thumb required. The indoor garden's 30W LED grow light promotes rapid plant growth, and its automatic timer makes sure it goes on and off at exactly the right time. Its large water bowl lets you go longer between water fill-ups, and its grow deck gives plants more room to grow while also allowing for an optional trellis attachment. The high-resolution touchscreen control panel displays your garden's vital statistics and gives you reminders for when to add water and plant food. Throw in vacation mode and you've got one of the most advanced indoor gardens ever. The AeroGarden Bounty Basic looks great anywhere - kitchen, office, you name it. Not to mention, the included Gourmet Herbs Seed Pod Kit, featuring Genovese Basil (2), Curly Parsley, Dill, Thyme, Thai Basil, Mint, Chives, and Italian Parsley, lets you keep the fresh flavors of summer all year long.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers are happy with the ease of growth and size of the light fixture. For example, they mention that the herbs are fast growing and the plants are coming along nicely. Some are happy that the garden is big enough to use but not too big to take over a kitchen. They are also happy with appearance, and ease of use. That said, opinions are mixed on quality, value, brightness, and performance.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the light fixture easy to use. They mention that the setup was simple, the machine is user friendly, and the screen is easy to read. They also appreciate the convenient controls and screen menu.
"...It will handle almost anything you put in it. Its as easy as it gets to set up & take care of & you will always have something to eat or pretty to..." Read more
"...IT'S --TRULY-- THE ULTIMATE!! AND, JUST WOW!!-- IT REALLY IS SO VERY EASY- FOR ME AND THE KIDS!!..." Read more
"This thing is NICE! Christmas present from my wife. Set up was simple. Didn’t even look at the directions. Touch screen controls all make sense...." Read more
"I loved this thing out of the box. Very easy to set up and I started with four pods of salad greens (which all turned out to be red leaf lettuce)..." Read more
Customers find the growth of their plants to be easy with the Aerogarden. They say the plants grow well and sprout nicely. Some customers also mention that the light fixture is easy to use and clean. Overall, customers are satisfied with the ease of growth and recommend it to others.
"...which helps them stay healthier and become much THICKER and heartier, before you replant them)..." Read more
"...4th week, all pods have sprouts. After 7-8th week, growth has exploded!!!! Harvested first basil and parsley! This thing is amazing!" Read more
"...That's when the problems started.Some of the herbs are fast growing and quite tall...." Read more
"...The dill was maybe a mistake for me: it grows fast and tall, and if you trim it, it just gets bushier. And I don't use that much dill...." Read more
Customers like the size of the garden. They say it's big enough to use but not too big to take over a kitchen. Some mention that the garden takes up a lot of space both outside and inside the house. However, most are happy with the size and height of the product. The garden status is especially helpful with stats of current settings in 2 screens. Customers also appreciate the compact size and the fact that it does alot.
"...sea life, a diver & it becomes a live scene because the plants are all real & edible so it will constantly change...." Read more
"...WAIT FOR OUR 2nd PLANTING..." Read more
"...looks so lush and I so enjoy watching green things grow ... and no weeding! And no bugs!..." Read more
"...SO easy to use and now I have an abundance of fresh herbs. I'm looking forward to purchasing more to grow." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the light fixture. They mention it's clean, sleek, and easy to use. They also appreciate the display, saying it reads perfectly and the app makes gardening simple. Overall, customers are happy with the design and functionality of the product.
"...AeroGarden for creating such great units that are affordable & so well thought out, so we can garden year round...." Read more
"...IT'S SOO WELL MADE, IT LOOKS GTEAT- GOES WITH EVERYTHING, NO MATTER WHICH ROOM I PUT IT IN. IT ACTUALLY TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO DO, AND..." Read more
"This thing is NICE! Christmas present from my wife. Set up was simple. Didn’t even look at the directions. Touch screen controls all make sense...." Read more
"...But you know what? I don't care. The whole thing looks so lush and I so enjoy watching green things grow ... and no weeding! And no bugs!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the light fixture. Some mention that it works great, is satisfied with the results, and has no issue with it at all. However, others say that it stopped functioning, the LED display stopped working, and the lights still have not come on as scheduled.
"...Light is super bright. WiFi connection was easy. Works with my iPhone X. Now we wait and see if they grow!Update- 2nd week, I’m seeing sprouts...." Read more
"...week and set it up and after multiple attempts, the lights still has not come on as scheduled...." Read more
"...Fertilizing is very simple and no issue with it at all.I am now wondering how long these plants will go for...." Read more
"Light did not work, defective. Won’t effect review s..t happens. When working great product." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the light fixture. Some mention that it's solid, well-made, and foolproof, while others say that it failed in some way.
"...I bought two and had a problem with one of them; the screen was defective...." Read more
"...IT'S SOO WELL MADE, IT LOOKS GTEAT- GOES WITH EVERYTHING, NO MATTER WHICH ROOM I PUT IT IN. IT ACTUALLY TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO DO, AND..." Read more
"...Often they die. This year I plan on starting my seeds in soil for this reason...." Read more
"This gadget is so much fun and nearly fool proof. I enjoy the fresh herbs especially." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the light fixture. Some mention it's worth every cent, affordable, and well thought out, while others say it'll break easily and isn't worth the price.
"...Unfortunately if the pods are no good then the machine is useless. I will update review in a couple of weeks." Read more
"...Thank You AeroGarden for creating such great units that are affordable & so well thought out, so we can garden year round...." Read more
"...The price is slightly steep, but I think it is worth it...." Read more
"...Still, it isn't very costly so I will continue my course.Light is not an issue since it is near a window...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the brightness of the light fixture. Some mention that the light is bright and decently lights the room, while others say that it never comes on or that the lights are barely visible.
"...Touch screen controls all make sense. Absolutely quiet. Light is super bright. WiFi connection was easy...." Read more
"...The first is that the LED lights are VERY bright...." Read more
"...The electrical lighting it comes with works extremely well for the fast growing tall plants, but keeping the slow small plants in enough light is a..." Read more
"...This should not be a surprise, but the light is very bright...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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pic #1 original Bounty #2 Bounty 1 with Edibles -all the plant life here is edible #3 the 2nd Bounty- the Diver had Lavender & Mint.
2020 12-20-20 Its been over a yr now & I still love my Bounty's. I have 4 now & have grown tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cukes, edible flowers, herbs/spices, flowers & several other veggies. Many went out into my small outside garden & then I started more. I have preserved herbs/spices & many of the peppers. I have a good collection of seeds from all that I have grown & have used them for new crops as the current ones are rotated to outside or the freezer. I havent bought any of these items in a store for a yr now & its fantastic. Also with the issues with covid I am not concerned of where my produce & some of my veggies come from because they are grown in my kitchen. I have 4 Bountys now, 4 Harvests, 2 360-s & an AG3. It handles all that I need plus extras for my neighbor friend. If you can only get 1 or 2 gardens get at least the Bounty Basic. It will handle almost anything you put in it. Its as easy as it gets to set up & take care of & you will always have something to eat or pretty to look at right at your fingers.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2019
pic #1 original Bounty #2 Bounty 1 with Edibles -all the plant life here is edible #3 the 2nd Bounty- the Diver had Lavender & Mint.
2020 12-20-20 Its been over a yr now & I still love my Bounty's. I have 4 now & have grown tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cukes, edible flowers, herbs/spices, flowers & several other veggies. Many went out into my small outside garden & then I started more. I have preserved herbs/spices & many of the peppers. I have a good collection of seeds from all that I have grown & have used them for new crops as the current ones are rotated to outside or the freezer. I havent bought any of these items in a store for a yr now & its fantastic. Also with the issues with covid I am not concerned of where my produce & some of my veggies come from because they are grown in my kitchen. I have 4 Bountys now, 4 Harvests, 2 360-s & an AG3. It handles all that I need plus extras for my neighbor friend. If you can only get 1 or 2 gardens get at least the Bounty Basic. It will handle almost anything you put in it. Its as easy as it gets to set up & take care of & you will always have something to eat or pretty to look at right at your fingers.
THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST INSIDE HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM-- EVER!! IT'S --TRULY-- THE ULTIMATE!! AND, JUST WOW!!-- IT REALLY IS SO VERY EASY- FOR ME AND THE KIDS!! WE'VE TRIED MANY OTHERS... AND JUST RECENTLY, ANOTHER BRAND THAT WAS ON SALE DURING THE 2 AWESOME AMAZON SALES DAYS!! BUT, THE OTHER BRAND WAS IMMEDIATELY RETURNED. IT'S TRUE THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
THIS AEROGARDEN ELITE, IS TRULY ONE OF THE BEST BUYS I'VE EVER MADE. IT'S REALLY IMPRESSED ME, EMENSELY!! I WAS TFULY SHOCKED ON HOW EASY IT WAS TO SET UP AND GET STARTED. I'M NOT MECHANICALLY INCLINED... BUT, IT WAS REALLY SO SIMPLE & SO EASY FOR ME TO DO, ALONE! I IMPRESSED THE HUBBY.
**** THE AEROGARDEN ELITE, IS THE ONE I BOUGHT... AND, I AM SOOO GLAD THAT I DID! IT'S SOO WELL MADE, IT LOOKS GTEAT- GOES WITH EVERYTHING, NO MATTER WHICH ROOM I PUT IT IN.
IT ACTUALLY TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO DO, AND WHEN!! THERE'S NO GUESSING, NO FORGETTING ANYTHING, ETC.. - IT'S JUST SO EASY!!
*** I FOUND OUT THE BASE PLATFORM HAS BEEN INCREADED AND IS NOW SO BIG & HAS 9 PLANTING AREAS... THAT IT'S SO STURDY AND STABLE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT GROWING VEGETABLES (even ones that'll require small trellises, before they grow up to 2 feet tall & you can prune them, constantly, to make them THICKER, not just tall and look "limby".... they'll be REALLY bushy and BEAUTIFUL!! - which helps them stay healthier and become much THICKER and heartier, before you replant them)- SO THEY'RE READY FOR HARVEST, FOR SALADS, ETC... THAT ARE FRESH CUT... AND ANY HERBS, PEPPERS, ETC.!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR 2nd PLANTING
IT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY INDOOR HYDROPONIC GROWING SYSTEM THAT CAN ACTUALLY USE OTHER PRODUCTS, LIKE MIRACLE GROW & HAS KITS, SO YOU CAN PLANT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO.
WE STARTED BY GROWING FRESH CATGRASS AND FRESH CATNIP... WHICH ALL SPROUTED SO FAST- LIKE JUST DAYS!! IT'S BEEN SOOO MUCH FUN WATCHING THE CATS "MUNCH" AWAY, AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW... AND, THEY HAVEN'T HURT THE PLANTS, AT ALL!
THE KIDS ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT THEY PLANTED A GARDEN JUST FOR OUR FUR BABIES AND WATCHING THEM REALLY "LOVE" EATING THEIR OWN GARDEN-- MAKES THEM SO HAPPY & THEY HAVE SO MUCH FUN!
-- ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT THEY PLANTED THEM. IT'S GIVEN OUR KIDS A LOT OF JOY AND A MAJOR SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT!
WE DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO BE A "LEARNING EXPERIENCE", AT ALL. BUT, IT HAS BECOME A MAJOR ONE. THE BEST PART IS THAT OUR KIDS DON'T EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT ANYTHING, AT ALL. THEY'RE ACTUALLY LEARNING A WHOLE LOT; ABOUT PLANTING, GROWING, TAKING CARE OF THEIR PETS. SOON, THEY WILL BE HARVESTING ON THEIR OWN, AFTER WE PLANT OUR OWN GARDEN- FOR THE FAMILY. I'LL TEACH THEM HOW TO "PRUNE" THE YOUNGLING PLANTS, TO MAKE THE PLANTS AS THICK AND LUSH AS POSSIBLE, BEFORE IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE ABLE TO START TAKING FRESH CUTTINGS DIRECTLY FROM THE PLANTS, TO PUT IN OUR OWN RECIPES!! THE FRESHER THE INGREDIENTS, THE BETTER THE FOOD WILL TASTE... AND, THAT'S JUST GUARANTEED BY NATURE, ITSELF!!
I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE TIME FOR THAT TO START HAPPENING!!
THEY TRULY --LOVE-- SHOWING OUR FUR BABIES HOW MUCH THEY'RE LOVED & BEING ABLE TO GROW FOOD THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY NEEDING MORE OF, IN THEIR DIET & THAT'S ACTUALLY SO GOOD FOR THEM-- AND NEEDED. "INSIDE CATS" DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GRASS FIBER GROWING OUTSIDE... AND, THE WRONG KIND OF GRASS, WILL GET THEM SICK OR REALLY UPSET THEIR STOMACHS AND MAKE THEM THROW UP EVERYWHERE. OUTSIDE, THEY EAT GRASS- TO HELP SETTLE THEIR TUMMIES OR THEY HAVE A NATURAL "CRAVING" FOR GRASS AND FIBER. GROWING THE RIGHT CAT GRASS ASSURES US THAT THEY'LL BE GETTING THE COMPLETE NUTRITION THEY NEED & FIBER, AND WE KNOW THAT THIS GRASS WON'T MAKE THEM SICK.... --AND, WON'T HAVE ANY PESTICIDES OR CHEMICALS ON IT, FROM BEING OUTSIDE, IN THE YARDS.
WE LOVE OUR AEROGARDEN ELITE!!
-- I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE DECIDE TO BUY IT... CAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN WORTH IT AND A LOT OF FUN FOR THE FAMILY!!
Update- 2nd week, I’m seeing sprouts. 4th week, all pods have sprouts. After 7-8th week, growth has exploded!!!! Harvested first basil and parsley! This thing is amazing!
Update- 2nd week, I’m seeing sprouts. 4th week, all pods have sprouts. After 7-8th week, growth has exploded!!!! Harvested first basil and parsley! This thing is amazing!
Top reviews from other countries
It has been fascinating to watch these plants grow and something happy to look forward to each day.
The light is B R I G H T. So bright that when I come down at 5 the morning and the rest of the lights are off, it doesn't matter. I read some stuff online and decided I was smart, so I wrapped the whole thing in tin foil. It kept the light inside, kept the humidity up and my retinas were thankful. My pods sprouted several days earlier than expected, so I highly recommend this little hack. Once everything was an inch or so high I kep the tin foil off as I wanted to check on them every day. I also used the light for other plants. In jars off to the side I've sprouted some garlic cloves, regrown green onions. I reused the tin foil to create a three-sided wall around a seed starting kit and placed it next to the Bounty to use the light. In 5 days, everything had sprouted, even my pumpkin and melon seeds.
To replace the water, which is recommended once a month, I just pulled the light off the pole, unplugged the pump and lifted the whole top lid with the pods up off the water bucket. I placed the whole section on the edges of a cardboard box (like the box was opened and the flaps were sticking straight up. I propped the corner of the box against a wall so it wouldn't shift). It was easy to pick up the water bucket and carry it to the sink to rinse and refill. Took less than 5 minutes.
The water pump is whisper quiet. I also have an Aerogarden Sprout. It is not quiet.
Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2020
It has been fascinating to watch these plants grow and something happy to look forward to each day.
The light is B R I G H T. So bright that when I come down at 5 the morning and the rest of the lights are off, it doesn't matter. I read some stuff online and decided I was smart, so I wrapped the whole thing in tin foil. It kept the light inside, kept the humidity up and my retinas were thankful. My pods sprouted several days earlier than expected, so I highly recommend this little hack. Once everything was an inch or so high I kep the tin foil off as I wanted to check on them every day. I also used the light for other plants. In jars off to the side I've sprouted some garlic cloves, regrown green onions. I reused the tin foil to create a three-sided wall around a seed starting kit and placed it next to the Bounty to use the light. In 5 days, everything had sprouted, even my pumpkin and melon seeds.
To replace the water, which is recommended once a month, I just pulled the light off the pole, unplugged the pump and lifted the whole top lid with the pods up off the water bucket. I placed the whole section on the edges of a cardboard box (like the box was opened and the flaps were sticking straight up. I propped the corner of the box against a wall so it wouldn't shift). It was easy to pick up the water bucket and carry it to the sink to rinse and refill. Took less than 5 minutes.
The water pump is whisper quiet. I also have an Aerogarden Sprout. It is not quiet.
Before purchasing a hydroponic system, try to find out some less known info…
- Are the parts easily replaceable
* Bad models will have the wires directly soldered into the unit (e.g. pump and/or light cannot be replaced). Why is this important? If you cannot replace parts that tend to break more often (pump and/or light) then you’ll have to replace the ENTIRE unit!!! If you have a part that malfunctions, the seller won’t be able to easily send a replacement part. Oftentimes you’ll be required to pay for shipping the entire unit back & pay for shipping repaires or replacement. If the pump/light breaks, you’ll be stuck with a water bucket that can’t do much for you. Now think of all the money you wasted, the environmental impact it has since it isn’t sustainable, etc. YIKES!
* Good models (like Aerogarden)… each part is separate & replaceable. Pump has an issue… you can have it replaced if it’s under guarantee or buy a new one. What a cost saver!
- Noise level of the pump
* Bad models can easily be around 50 db. If you are sensitive to noise it can be disturbing (e.g. I had my unit in the living room and I still heard it in the bedroom.
* Good models (like Aerogarden)… are much quieter. When the pump is working you might hear a soft hum and some water dripping. If your water level gets low, you’ll hear more the water. You can use this to your advantage since sometimes the water indicator can become unreliable/defective if roots go and hide there (yes, it’s a common prob but easily fixable when you clean the unit).
- How easy is it to disassemble & clean? Hopefully you want healthy plants as well as to reuse the unit. Roots, algae, mold, etc. can get into a bunch of places.
* Bad models are a nightmare to clean.
** Pump: Is it easily removable? Is it screwed in? Can you easily open the plastic parts without breaking plastic &/or your nails?
** Area under tray: Can it be easily detached? In a bad model you can have small columns that distribute the water to the pods whereby they are not made to be opened/cleaned.
* Good models (like Aerogarden)… The entire top surface area is a detachable tray. You can remove roots (yes, they love to get in there), algae, etc. It does take a bit of time and patience but at least you can clean it
Tip: clean with double strength vinegar (10%) to easily get stains out.
- Water level/spills
* Bad models have high tops whereby there can be approx. 1 inch side. The water must NOT pass that height otherwise it’s leaking everywhere. The “max” water indicator is almost at that outer 1 inch line. One prob is that if you want to move your unit (add water, clean, etc.) as soon as the water moves a little it starts leaking from the side connection.
* Good models (like Aerogarden)… The side of the water tank goes all the way up to the top and only at the very top it comes off. The max water level is about 1 inch below the openable top. This makes it much easier to move a unit to clean, add water, etc.
- Location of electronics
* Bad models have connections INSIDE &/or right under permitting water to enter. Water plus circuit boards & loose wires = dangerous, fire hazard, electrocution risk & more! Apart from it going against common sense/safety… it is also difficult to discover from images.
* Good models (like Aerogarden)… the only electrical thing that is in the water tank is the water pump whereby the connection is outside the water tank onto the base unit.
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I won’t go into basic details of reminders, tips, etc. as many people review those.
Why did I choose a “basic”? vs other more expensive models
It depends what kind of needs you have… I tend to use empty pods to grow varieties that aren’t commonly available (e.g. redventure celery, cresson du Bresil, Turkish Orange Eggplant, Bonsai Tomatoes, and so much more!). I check on my plants every few days or daily. So, knowing I need to add water & when to add food is basically (pun intended) all I require.
Something important to take into consideration: How many plants can you grow in a healthy manner vs actual pods. There is no clear-cut answer since it depends the types of plants you grow.
* Just herbs - Yes, in a 9 pod you can grow 9 plants. However, you will still have to cut/trim often… not only the leaves but the roots as well.
** Can certain herbs grow longer than suggested lifespans? Yes… for example Thai Basil (which I actually used from Aerogarden) can live a year or more. The main stem will thicken and start to look more like bark. The taste of the leaves will also change. You’ll wind up with a plant that looks a bit like a small Bonsai.
* Plants that grow less than 1 foot, need less roots, don’t make large fruits, etc. (e.g. lettuce, swiss chard, dwarf kale) - Although technically you could do 9/9 pods, if the plants seem to struggle go down to a ratio of 2/3… so 6/9 pods.
* Plants that grow fruits, need more roots, etc. (e.g. dwarf tomatoes, self-pollenating cucumbers, etc.) You will need at the very least a bounty model since the light can go up to two feet. You can try a 1/2 ratio (4/9 pods) however you will need to do a regular maintenance of pruning the leaves & roots. The plants will require more roots and various people recommend for more productive plants to reduce the ratio to 1/3 (3/9 pods).
So, if you want a bounty thinking you’ll grow 9 healthy tomato plants you’ll be quite disappointed… especially if you plant indeterminate queen beef tomatoes. No, I did not try but neither should you (or are having a good laugh because you know why it’s a no-no).
I bought the Bounty already knowing these types of constraints. What do I do in mine? I prefer a combo plant technique. Some are leafy (e.g. red celery, dwarf kale), some are fruity (e.g. dwarf tomato, Turkish Orange Eggplant), and some are small medicinal (e.g. cresson du bresil). I use a max of 5/9 of the pods. I place larger/fruit pods at the extremities to permit them to expand outside of the bounty surface area. I also check on them every few days/daily to maintain roots/leaves & hand pollinate when necessary. Yes, I have the time and patience to do this. Now ask yourself if you do and be honest. If not and you want tomatoes/peppers/etc. that are fruit plants, go down to 3 pods max for the bounty model.
Is the expense worth it?
That’s more of an answer that depends upon the individual.
- Someone that is willing to create something from scratch, that doesn’t need reminders, etc. It could be considered quite expensive… but you’ll have to invest more time, energy, upkeep, etc.
- Someone that wants to save money and buy something similar but a bit less expensive… don’t! You might wind up not being able to use the unit for long, parts won’t be replaceable, etc.
- Someone that wants it to be less of a strain on the wallet… look into paying in payments. Amazon offered me to do so & that’s what made it possible for me to get.
- If you’re the type that wants fruit plants but don’t have much time to take care of them… you should stick to 3 plants per bounty. It’s up to you to ask yourself if it’s worth that much to grow only a bit of fruit… especially if the varieties you like can be bought at the supermarket. If the pants you want to grow are rare and difficult to obtain at the super market then it might be worth it.
I also would like to point out a few things to consider buying:
- Grow tent: It will help create a more stable environment, reflect back the light so the plants benefit even more and for those that don’t like the “bright light” it can be a way to eliminate that challenge. There are also blackout covers for smaller models.
- Supplement: Even with regular feeds, plants (especially fruit) might need an extra boost. Leaves could start yellowing, having poor development, etc. Oftentimes a magnesium/calcium plant supplement can be beneficial.
- Small fan: It helps plants’ stems to become stronger & pollination
- look into getting pods that don’t have seeds so you can put whatever you’d like in them. Coco coir is a medium that is more sustainable.
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One issue I do not like with bounty is that the expandable light does not have a mechanism to keep it from going back down. When fully extended the light refuses to stay up.
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Lastly, research… take the time to read reviews, tricks, problems, etc. Then be honest with yourself in the quantity you’ll want to have produced (e.g. do you really want to eat an herb often if it produces a lot, you want a lot of fruits but won’t be able to grow many, how difficult/easy is it to obtain at the grocery store, etc.). Only then will you be able to make an informed choice in an investment piece.
I have grown 4 different types of leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes. I have lots of tomatoes with many that are still green and harvests have been good. My cherry tomatoe plant is five and a half months old and is still producing yellow flowers and tomatoes. I grew a lot of leaf lettuce and am going to set up my garden to grow romaine lettuce, basil and tyme. Love these little gardens and plan to try strawberries and hopefully fairytale eggplant. All and all would highly recommend.
RRontario,canada
I added this unit because some veggies, like tomatoes require a lot of light. This has 40w The white is very clean looking since this unit is in my kitchen. If you are only growing lettuce, herbs, etc the basic will do.
The quality of Aerogarden is so much better than knock offs. Only Con is the wifi….. had to google how to solve the kinks. Running ok now. Update: no Aerogarden Alexa skill in Canada