Using your own seeds. Can you use your won seeds instead of buying the expensive seed pods?
1015073
I am using my own tomato seeds. Actually, I saved the little plastic inserts that held the sponges--they clean up fine. For seed starting I replaced the little sponge with half a rockwool mini cube. It works great. I was thinking of buying the master gardeing kit but I haven't yet. I'm still on the fence about that, cause I have my own nutrients that I can add to the garden instead and I don't have to spend $40.
1015074
According to the site, they have a kid with the pods and pellets so you can grow any seeds you like. The pods are just a means of circulating the water and nutrients through the sponges the seeds are suspended in. I'm thinking of trying it. I have a "black thumb" and even I can grow something in this!
1015075
I'm thinking of getting this as a gift for someone. I just spoke to customer service. You can use your own seeds using the Master Garden Kit (on the website). According the rep I spoke to you can grow almost anything but they don't recommend anything branchy like rosemary or blueberries. He said he's seen mini pumpkins and mini cucumbers. So it seems it will grow almost anything as long as it's not branchy or doesn't grow on a tree.
1015076
Rockwool is a substrate for embeding seeds. It gives plants something to grow roots into for hydroponic gardening. They are inexpensive. They can be used individually to start plants and then planted into soil. They can be used for "hydroponic potted planting" by filling a planter with a similar volume of cubes as you would potting soil and then feed hydroponically.As to the Aerogarden, I don't know if you would use just one cube per plant or several.
1015077
Hi, thanks I will try it, but what is a rockwool mini cube and where would I get it? Thank you.
1015078
If you chop off the top of the pepper plant, it will be fine and will grow lots of side sprouts. It slightly slows the harvest but makes up for it in quantity.
1015079
The "Master gardener" kit is $40 and includes a year's worth of pods and supplies to grow the seeds of your choice in the aerogarden. I'm sure there are limitations on what it is feasible to grow (i.e. no Big Beef tomatoes). If you live in an area with a short growing season, or in an apartment, it is probably worth a try if you don't care for their other packets. You can see all their kits here: http://www.aerogrow.com/store_seedkits
1015080
Save your money:I purchased cherry tomato seeds, hot pepper seeds, use rock wool for a seed base, and kitchen plastic wrap for pod covers (less than $10 spent). Cleaned out the pump real well (use vinegar to dissolve hard water deposits). I use a dilute (half the recommended concentration, for now) Miracle-grow solution for fertilizer. Tomato plants are doing well, peppers have been a struggle to get to sprout but are doing fine once they get going. Hope they dont get too large for the aerogarden :)
2027715
I started with shelled cracked sunflower seeds which practically fall out of the slot. Then when the birds got the idea I slowly added in whole seeds over time. Birds love shelled cracked seed but it is more expensive and harder to find.
1274936
The discs that come with this don't have a fine enough grain. The seeds will go right through the openings in the disc.I would suggest a juicer machine maybe???
2010711
Yes you do, but you can come out with your own recipe mix. You can buy the mixes online too.
87352
I was in the same boat you were. And could only find the Vining kind of seeds at the store. I was driving by a house one day that had the one I was looking for, and stopped. Rang the doorbell with no answer. So I snipped off a seed pod.....just planted them a month ago and they are growing like Crazy! So excited! !
624586
Yes. The seeds are in a plastic container that lifts out, and you can use the wooden planter for additional refills.
238300
Yes, the seeds are too small for a spreader. I'm an amateur and never done this before. I only had $30 bucks or so invested and decided not to buy a spreader. I broadcasted the seeds manually over an acre the afternoon after a downpour. It takes a few handsful to get the hang of it. My objective was to displace a lawn of grass that takes mowing, with clover. This spring, the clovers are coming up beautifully. I had planned to buy more seeds and repeat last year's spreading. Don't think this will be required unless I repeat the process on another part of the yard.
458487
I would use all you got in your package, if they were like mine maybe if you are lucky about 6 would germinate and you would get tiny, not nice,flowers. Would not recommend doing this.
234843
This is good to know. I might try this sometime, too! So far I'm just growing the herbs; when they're full-grown and I've harvested from them a few times, I'm going to try planting them in pots so I can get started on my Salad pods.
2064077
I would rather have young plants that will grow in the pouch over the summer. I never thought of trying seeds. Maybe if you have space to start seeds in a pouch it might be worth a try ?
1213625
I don't usually separate out non germinated seeds in a jar or any sprouter. It is up to you if you feel it is necessary then go ahead.
1018352
Read this article- http://www.greatplainsflax.com/flax-seed-information/why-golden-flaxseeds-are-better.php
325565
Absolutely! I do it all the time. Just be sure to go in a circular motion and when you get to the seed core you stop.
962071
You can use seeds from your own veggie collection--I do! It's how I start all my vegies. However, you do need the sponge. The containers hold the sponge, which soaks up water and nutrients, and your seeds grow in that.
1231098
No. Most of all seeds are to oily and clogs up the mechanism. Better to use a coffee grinder for seeds
980260
yes, usually. I forget when I got mine if some came with it, but I order them 50-100 at a time so I never run out. some people make their own pods too for this, but I think they are reasonable priced on amazon and ebay.
2022828
No, these use little round pods that look like tea bags - hard to find and singular in brand. You can make your own pods but it's a lot of work. Better off biting the bullet and get a Keurig or the Mr Coffee that brews k-cups, in my opinion.