In hydroponic growing, water is the vehicle of life. Unlike soil, which acts as a giant buffer, in hydroponics we are responsible for maintaining the system’s chemical balance. Doing a complete nutrient solution change — a “flush” — is an essential practice for keeping your plants healthy. Over time, roots excrete organic waste, unused mineral … Read more
Opening your SmartGarden’s reservoir and noticing a strange smell is a clear warning sign. While it’s normal for the nutrient solution to have a faint earthy or mineral scent, it should never smell fermented, like rotten eggs, or like stagnant water. These odors are usually the first indicator that bacteria are proliferating, oxygen levels are … Read more
Looking at your SmartGarden and noticing a green, slimy layer on the sponges is one of the most common questions we get. While they may seem harmless at first, algae are unwanted guests that, if left unchecked, can compete with your plants and affect their development. The good news is that they’re very easy to … Read more
You’ve finished your lettuce or basil harvest and you’re ready to start again. Hold on! Before you put in new seeds, there’s a step you can’t skip: the system reset. Cleaning between grows is the best-kept secret for healthy plants. With use, the tank builds up invisible enemies: root debris, mineral salts, and the dreaded … Read more
The secret nobody tells you If you bought a SmartGarden, the sales pitch was probably something like: “Add water, add our nutrients, turn on the light, and you’re done.” And we won’t lie to you: you can grow that way. In fact, hardy herbs like basil or mint will grow decently without much more effort … Read more