AeroGarden Tips – Get the Most Out of Your Garden

Are you getting the most out of your AeroGarden? I’m going to share AeroGarden tips and tricks I’ve learned after years of using AeroGarden Bounty and Harvest models.

Let’s get right to it!

Choose the Right Plants

First and foremost, one of the most important AeroGarden tips I can provide you is to choose the right plants to grow. 

AeroGardens do really well with herbs and leafy greens and even many perennials. But, there are some plants that are just not well suited for every AeroGarden garden or hydroponics, in general. 

For example, the smaller gardens, like the Harvest, are not going to be able to support a large, bushy plant like Okra. Not only do Okra plants grow too large, but their root systems become too large over time, as well. 

Choosing the wrong plant for your AeroGarden model is setting yourself up for failure. Trust me – I know this from experience! 

As a beginner, I recommend starting with smaller leafy greens and herbs unless you have a large garden like the Farm 12XL. 

You can definitely grow larger vegetables like tomatoes in the larger models.

Bonus tip – stay away from growing mint. Yes, mint is amazing and tasty and easy to grow. People love to recommend it. But, it will spread all over your garden and become a pain to you and the other plants!

Seed Starting Tips

I find it very frustrating when some seeds don’t sprout in a new garden. To avoid this, I often pre-germinate the seeds before placing them in the AeroGarden. 

This can be done by soaking the seeds in water overnight or using a damp paper towel until they sprout. 

Once germinated, carefully transfer the sprouted seeds to the AeroGarden sponges.

I wrote a helpful guide to germinating seeds in paper towel you may want to read. 

Starting seeds outside the garden is definitely more labor intensive, but I’ve had better success in the long run ensuring all my pods have seedlings rather than finding out down the road some aren’t going to sprout.

Take Steps to Prevent Algae Growth

This could possibly be my number one tip: use the provided grow basket stickers, or cover your grow baskets with aluminum foil! 

Algae is sure to grow on sponges if they aren’t covered. Do not let algae into your garden as it is very annoying over time! 

As plants grow, the leaves will cover the sponges. But, in the beginning, you need something to prevent light from hitting the sponges. 

Also, if you aren’t using one of the pods in your garden, you have to cover the hole! Otherwise, algae will grow in your reservoir. 

Use Proper Light Placement

My next AeroGarden tip is to ensure the grow lights are positioned at the right height above the plants. AeroGarden lights are adjustable for a reason! 

Start at the lowest height for seedlings. 

Adjust the height of the light as your plants grow to prevent stretching (plants reaching for lights) or burning (heat can burn leaves when too close). I position the lights 3-4″ above my plants with good results.

Provide Nutrients

Beyond proper light, hydroponic plants also require nutrients to thrive. Use the provided nutrient solution according to the instructions. 

I give my garden two full caps of the nutrient solution every two weeks. 

Keep in mind that different plants may have varying nutrient requirements. So, consider customizing the nutrient solution based on the specific needs of your plants.

I’ve also branched out and started using other nutrient solutions available at garden supply stores.

I’ve found Liquid Karma pictured above has been quite good for my plants.

You aren’t only limited to the nutrients that come with your AeroGarden. But, you do need to use nutrients on a frequent basis.

Maintain the Water Level

Check the water level regularly, and top it off, as needed. 

Note – It’s important to maintain the water level within the recommended range to ensure proper oxygenation of the roots. 

You may not realize it, but the roots of your plants are exposed above the water line to ensure they receive oxygen. So, don’t overfill your reservoir! 

If the roots start to appear brown or slimy, consider changing the water and cleaning the system to prevent root rot.

Understand pH

This is more of an advanced tip, but is very important for some with water quality challenges: Understand your water’s pH, and adjust it, as needed. 

I’ve written a long article on this topic called Mastering Hydroponic pH for Healthy, Thriving Plants.

I’m fortunate in that the pH of my tap water is right in the recommended range for most plants: 5.5 to 6.5. 

However, I know this isn’t true for all areas of the world. So, you may need to manage the pH of your nutrient solution for the best results. 

Transplant AeroGarden Plants to Soil

This might seem kind of odd, but one of my favorite tips for successfully using your AeroGarden is to stop growing in your AeroGarden! By this I mean don’t be afraid to transplant your plants into soil. 

One of my biggest joys of hydroponic gardening is seeing hydroponic perennials get moved into my backyard for a permanent home.

Sometimes, plants overgrow the AeroGarden. Other times, I’m just ready to grow something new. 

But, throwing away perfectly good plants is gut wrenching. So, I simply transplant them into soil with an 80-85% success rate. Not bad! 

I wrote another article that shares how to transplant AeroGarden plants to soil.

Prune and Train

Regularly prune and train your plants to promote healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. Pinch off excess growth. Remove any yellow or dead leaves. Trim back plants that are crowding out the light. 

Additionally, consider using trellises or stakes to support plants that grow tall.

Pollinate Your Plants

Since AeroGardens are normally used indoors, pollination may be a concern for your veggies. Guess what? You are going to need to do your best impression of a bee and pollinate your plants! 

One way to do it is to gently shake or tap the plants to help disperse the pollen. 

Personally, I use a small paintbrush to manually transfer pollen between flowers. This is a popular method in the hydroponic community!

Use Vacation Mode

AeroGarden Vacation Mode can be a lifesaver for travelers. This feature is available on many models and can give peace of mind when away. 

Here is a detailed article on the AeroGarden Vacation Mode.

Prune Roots to Prevent Overcrowding

As your plants grow, their roots can become crowded within the AeroGarden’s reservoir. 

I periodically check the roots and prune them as necessary to prevent root entanglement and overcrowding. 

Not only does this give more room for water and nutrients, but pruning roots can also help ensure a healthy root system.

Choose the Correct Light Cycle

Most plants require around 14-16 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage and 8-12 hours of darkness during the flowering or fruiting stage. Depending on the growth stage of your plants, you may need to adjust the light cycle.

Refer to plant-specific guides or consult the seed package for optimal light cycle durations.

I prefer to use the AeroGarden mobile app to change lighting cycles. But, you can also use the buttons or panel on the front of most AeroGarden models.

Clean and Maintain Your AeroGarden

Regularly clean your AeroGarden to prevent the buildup of algae, bacteria, or mineral deposits. I’ve compiled a handy guide you can follow for simple and effective ways to clean your AeroGarden.

Also, some people recommend replacing the water and nutrient solution every few weeks for optimal plant health. 

I find this to be overkill, so I typically just change out the water between plantings.

Keep a Plant Log

If you are anything like me, you will have multiple types of plants at multiple levels of maturity in your a garden at the same time. It’s easy to lose track of which pods have which seeds and when they were planted. 

You can use the AeroGarden Log in the mobile app. I find it easier to just keep pen and paper nearby and make notes. 

Monitor Water Temperature

This likely won’t be an issue for most people who grow indoors. But, pay attention to the water temperature in the AeroGarden’s reservoir. 

Most plants prefer slightly warm water around 68-75°F (20-24°C). 

If the ambient room temperature is cooler, consider using a small aquarium heater or heat mat. 

If your water is too warm, you risk breeding harmful bacteria and fungus. In addition, warm water has less oxygenation limiting your plant’s ability to thrive!

Maintain Air Temperature and Humidity

Just like with the water temp, you need to be aware of air temperature and humidity to maintain an optimal temperature and humidity level in your growing area.

Most plants thrive in temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). 

Ideal temps can vary on a plant-by-plant basis. For example, lettuce is a cool-weather plant and thrives in the low end of that range.  

Just avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures, and you’ll be fine. Keep things in the 65-78°F range if at all possible. 

There are guides available online for each plant you plan to grow if you want to be more precise with your temperature. 

Harvest Like a Pro

Last but not least, harvest your plants like a pro.

Harvest at the right time to enjoy the best flavor and nutrient content. Follow the recommended harvest guidelines for each plant variety. 

Typically, leafy greens can be harvested as soon as they reach a desirable size. Fruiting plants require a longer time period to reach full maturity once the fruit begins to develop.

When harvesting leafy greens, herbs, or microgreens, consider using the “cut and come again” method. 

Instead of harvesting the entire plant, selectively trim the outer leaves or stems, allowing the center of the plant to continue growing. One of my favorite things about the AeroGarden is having fresh herbs on the ready. 

This method also extends the harvest period and maximizes the yield.

Did you know you can also do something similar with lettuce? Next time you harvest lettuce, just chop off the leafy part leaving the stem in place. You’ll have another harvest in about 30 days!