GrowLog
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Rolling Scallion and Chive Gardens in AeroGarden Sprouts and a Harvest

Grow log by Clovis Sangrail · Original thread

10 visual updates17 photos30 replies
View recap
CropScallion, chives
VarietyAeroGarden Chives
MethodAeroGarden
EquipmentAeroGarden Sprout units, AeroGarden Harvest, AeroGarden Bounty
Plants-
AudienceExperimental

What you can learnA practical rolling-garden diary covering root-clogged filters, transplant survival, repeated rearrangement, maintenance, kitchen use, termination, and immediate restart.

Actions:4 Equipment3 Planting2 Transplant2 Pruning1 Harvest1 Roots1 Finished
Useful practices
  • transplanting chive pods between gardens
  • trimming foliage after root loss
  • cleaning roots from pump filters
  • cleaning and reassembling gardens
  • restarting chive
  • basil
  • thyme
  • and scallion pods
  • using multiple small gardens for continuous kitchen harvests
  • restarting scallions after quality declined
Problems encountered
  • chive roots clogged filters and approached the pump
  • transplanted chives lost roots
  • scallions reached the Sprout light
  • older greens became brown and less flavourful
  • rolling replanting made the plant count variable

*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.

Day 103
UPDATE#10
Grower update

Update #10

Actions taken

FinishedEnded the ageing crops after browning and flavour decline.
EquipmentCleaned two Sprouts, the Harvest, pumps, and filters.
PlantingStarted new scallions in both Sprouts.

C By Clovis Sangrail

Scallions and chives terminated as they were getting more and more brown and not tasting as good. I did a clean on two Sprouts and a Harvest. I even pulled the pumps on the Sprouts to get to the filters and clean them. This is not the easiest thing in the world, and I suppose my thumbnails will grow back.And I restarted the scallions in the two Sprouts.Note that there are only a couple of scallions in each pod. This is what happens when one orders one's groceries for pick-up and does not go in and select the slenderest and tenderest scallions for one's own self. But they were organic, although I do not know if they still are. I know they look like green onions, but really, they're scallions.
Conversation
L
LoveSalads

Looking good. I was looking at your line up of many cleaned out Ag's and almost started drooling. Being an AGA my brain just went there, thinking of all the possibilities with all those empty gardens almost reaching out to you saying, plant me , plant me. Hopefully you will have the time to enjoy some new grows.

Day 39
UPDATE#9
Grower update

Update #9

C By Clovis Sangrail

Scallions and Chives are coming along nicely --Lots of scallions and chives for my scrambled eggs, plus chives are a key ingredient in Chez Clovis House Dressing.Chez Clovis House Dressing 1 tsp sugar1/2 tsp dry mustard (I always use Colman's)1/2 tsp pepper (Eyeball it if you are grinding fresh pepper.)1/8 tsp horseradish (You can boost this a bit if you want a little spicier.)1/2 tsp celery salt1/4 tsp finely chopped green stuff (I used chives, but you could use parsley, or scallions or even a bit of shallot. I will try try cilantro some day.)Whisk in a small bowl or shake in cruet with --1/4 cup water1/4 cup vinegar (I use wine vinegar if I have it and cider vinegar when I don't.)Transfer to cruet and shake well with 1/2 cup oil. (I use canola, but someday I'll try EVOO.)(Just use a Good Seasons cruet. It has lines for vinegar, water, and oil.)And remember -- Some people call them green onions, but really, they're scallions.
Conversation
P
pfunnyjoy

Dang! I'm impressed! And given I've had trouble growing herbs in the kitchen due to the air purifier draft (presumably), and I'd love to put that bit of space, not to mention the outlet, to AG use, I'd do this in a heartbeat, except, scallions and chives are poisonous for cats. And I can't take the chance. Le sigh!

S
swimmom500

Your post made me look for my Good Seasons cruet. Unfortunately during one of my getting rid of stuff I haven’t used days, I must have thrown it out. Your salad dressing recipe does sound delicious though!

C
Clovis Sangrail

That's why I gave the liquid amounts, because I knew not everyone was fortunate enough to have a Good Seasons cruet close at hand. Indeed, I found myself among those less fortunate recently when I moved, and the Good Seasons cruet got lost in the process.Fortunately, Amazon has them. And you can sometimes find them in the grocery.They are so handy to have because the cruets are marked for the level to which to fill the liquids. And those ratios are good for just about any vinaigrette dressing.Disclaimer -- Clovis is in no way affiliated with whoever the hell it is who makes Good Seasons.Getting back to the original issue -- Toss it all in a old pickle jar and shake it for about half the time it takes you to hum/sing/whistle the Final Jeopardy tune.My solicitor has told me that I must add "Be sure to wash the pickle jar first and screw the lid on firmly before you shake it" in case there are any children or trust-fund babies reading.

Day 10
UPDATE#8
Grower update

Update #8

C By Clovis Sangrail

Look at this little booger stealing light --
Day 9
UPDATE#7
Grower update

Update #7

Actions taken

TransplantRearranged the crops into two Sprouts of scallions and a Harvest with six chive pods.

C By Clovis Sangrail

Scallions and Chives Update --I decided I needed a bit more chives and scallions at Chez Clovis, so I re-arranged things a bit. Now, I have two Sprouts growing scallions, and in between them, a Harvest with 6 chives pods in various stages of growth. And again, instant gratification from the scallions.The above picture was from yesterday. Here's what they look like today --These need a haircut because they are touching the light, and that Sprout won't go any higher.Plenty of greenery for my scrambled eggs.
Conversation
L
lynnee

Wow, Clovis Sangrail! You have discovered a wonderful use for the AG Sprout! They said it couldn't be done. (Or I said it, at least.)

C
Clovis Sangrail

Credit for that discovery goes to slw in this post -- SLW's Scallions in a Sprout. I merely copied a good idea.

Day 3
UPDATE#6
Grower update

Update #6

Actions taken

EquipmentCoaxed the remaining roots out of the pump filter.

C By Clovis Sangrail

Feb 2, 2024 13:26:31 GMT -5 lynnee said: Clovis Sangrail , your transplanted chives look great!About the roots in your pump filter: you can get most of the roots that break off inside the filter out by massaging the filter between your thumb and forefinger under a stream of water.You can also buy a box of precut filters from Aerogarden, so that you can throw out the truly grungy ones. Thanks. And I have growth, so they all have apparently survived the trnsplant.Picture of chives just after transplant --Picture of chives just now --I did manage to coax all the roots out of the filter, but it is good to know that you can buy replacements.And if, like me, you have had it up to here with AG's crappy customer service, you can also get them from Amazon --Aerogarden Filters from AmazonThere are several other sellers, too, but this one was cheapest (24 for 5.99), had one-day delivery, and didn't charge shipping.Or you can get a package of 5 for 12.76 (on sale price; regularly 15.75) from AG. You'll pay an additional 5.95 in shipping, and who knows how long it will take them to get it to you.I've been fighting with AG again. I paid for Express UPS for an order, and AG sat on my order for four days. I complained through their Aerogarden Contact Us Link, and all of a sudden, their hillbilly outsourced order fulfillment company got it to UPS. I ordered it last Sunday, and it will finally arrive today.Note for those having trouble with AG customer service (i.e., all of us), they apparently do monitor that 'Contact Us' link. I have twice used it and received an actual non-automated response. And each time, the problem was solved the next morning. Just saying.
Conversation
S
slw

I haven't had many issues with AG, but when I wanted to know about the app outage I posted on their Facebook page. They answered almost immediately.

L
lisatnp

Your chives look amazing. I am hoping to get a couple of them planted this weekend.

S
swimmom500

I would be demanding a refund for the express shipping. If you pay for express then your order should move to the top and it should be sent out with 1 day shipping. Anything less is not express imho.

C
Clovis Sangrail

I agree. It arrived today, and they slipped a little something extra into the box that was worth more than the express shipping charge, so I'm going to call it even for this round. But they are still on my 'Do Not Order' list going forward.

Day 2
UPDATE#5
Grower update

Update #5

C By Clovis Sangrail

Feb 1, 2024 12:36:08 GMT -5 slw said:I have two Sprouts that have been dedicated to green onions and chives for months now; they work great for this purpose. They also grow petunias very well. I love my little Sprouts but the indicator light leaves much to be desired; I overlook the "feed me" blinking for days at a time. I have you to thank for mine because it was your picture of your scallions back in December that inspired me to give growing them in a Sprout a try. And chives naturally followed.My original trial scallion is in a Bounty, and it is now hitting the lights at maximum extension. Can you see it there in the right-hand corner? It badly needs a haircut.In addition to the scallion, which isn't taking up much space, there are three pepper plants and a fairy tale eggplant on there, so something is going to have to go. Two somethings.
Conversation
L
lynnee

Maybe I'll unpack my Sprout and grow petunias in it! So far I haven't found anything that grows well in the low-light Sprout. Radishes did all right, but even they were grabbing light from a neighboring Bounty.Petunias give a nice splash of color to my garden room.

L
lynnee

Clovis Sangrail, your transplanted chives look great!About the roots in your pump filter: you can get most of the roots that break off inside the filter out by massaging the filter between your thumb and forefinger under a stream of water.You can also buy a box of precut filters from Aerogarden, so that you can throw out the truly grungy ones.

Day 1
UPDATE#4
Grower update

Update #4

Actions taken

EquipmentCleaned and reassembled the Harvest after roots entered the pump area.
RootsPicked chive roots out of the pump with tweezers.
PruningTrimmed the two chive plants left in the Harvest.
PlantingStarted another chive and added Genovese basil and thyme pods.

C By Clovis Sangrail

Finished cleaning and replanting the root-clogged Harvest.The chive roots were trying to get into the pump, so I had to take the cover off and pick them out with some tweezers.But I got them all and got it back together. And it still works. I trimmed up the two remaining chives, and then started another.Then I stuck a Genovese basil and a thyme in there on the right just to get them started. I'm not sure whether I'll keep the thyme because I don't use it much, but I do need get another basil started. All clean and pretty.
Conversation
S
slw

I have two Sprouts that have been dedicated to green onions and chives for months now; they work great for this purpose. They also grow petunias very well. I love my little Sprouts but the indicator light leaves much to be desired; I overlook the "feed me" blinking for days at a time.

Day 1
UPDATE#3
Grower update

Update #3

Actions taken

EquipmentAssembled and started a new AeroGarden Sprout.
TransplantMoved three established chive pods from a Harvest into the Sprout.
PruningCut back the chives heavily after they lost roots during transplant.
HarvestSaved several days' worth of chopped chives after trimming.

C By Clovis Sangrail

Chive update -- I set up the new Sprout.Then, I pulled three chive pods out of the Harvest they were in, and I was pleased to see that the largest and oldest came out pretty effortlessly. But the next oldest had grabbed onto the filter and brought it along for the ride.Third one came along without protest.I gave them all prison haircuts and dropped them into the Sprout. I took a little more off the top than usual because they all lost some roots.And there they are, sitting with their scallion brethren and a Harvest full of New Zealand spinach planted a couple of days ago.I am hoping with this arrangement, the Sprouts can take in any extra light spilling from the Harvest. Now I am off to clean the Harvest they were in. It still has two more chives, and I would like to save them. But right now, the pump doesn't have a filter. I just hope it's not root bound.Oh, and I have a few days worth of chopped chives in the icebox fridge refrigerator.
Conversation
U
Unknown

Really nice looking chives, Clovis Sangrail. I never got my chives to look full like that. They were always scrawny and dried up at the tips. (Most people call them chives, but really, they're chives.)

C
Clovis Sangrail

Thanks. Those are just out of the box AG Chives. The biggest one is about 3 months old, and the other 2 probably 2 months.They do take a while, so I am really hoping they survive the transplant.They've been in a Harvest all by themselves. Just them and 2 other chive pods, so nothing to block the light.And just AG food.Everybody please send out good chive vibes for these little guys.

S
swimmom500

Looking at your pictures makes me want to go through my pods and see if I have any pods for chives. I have never started them from seed!

C
Clovis Sangrail

There's always a chives pod in that Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit you get when you buy a Harvest, if you have any of those stashed about in a drawer.

Day 1
UPDATE#2
Grower update

Update #2

C By Clovis Sangrail

Well, this will be interesting. Looks like it is latching on to the pump sponge.I was going to break this garden down and give it a good clean anyway.But I'm going to put it back and take a nap first.Then I'll assemble the Sprout that just now got here and get it operational.And then see what I can move.
Conversation
L
lynnee

Those chives should handle the move just fine. Separate the plants' roots gently, then pull the plants straight up through the pod holes, as gently as you can. Don't panic if they scrape a little. Plants have a really strong will to live!Nice photo, Clovis Sangrail !

Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update

Update #1

Actions taken

PlantingPlanted scallions in a new Sprout the day before the first update.

C By Clovis Sangrail

One thing I like about scallions is the instant gratification. They are eager to please.Here are some scallions I planted in a brand new Sprout yesterday.And here they are today. Note the tiny little bits of growth.Instant gratification.Or maybe it's just the light. Plan here is to have two Sprouts, with one growing chives and one growing scallions. (Some people call them green onions, but really, they're scallions. Chives, on the other hand, are chives.)I am hoping I can transplant some of these tomorrow, but I am afraid to look at the root balls. --We will know tomorrow whether I can do that, or whether I'll need to start a new crop.
Conversation
L
lynnee

You may have to trim the roots to get them out of the deck, Clovis Sangrail, but those healthy chive plants should be mostly okay. Just be sure to keep the long central root(s) that are drawing the most water. Do keep us posted on the experiment, as you may have found a really good use for a Sprout. I think it would take forever to get chives going in a Sprout, but the low light should sustain an established plant.

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