Day 144
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
Actions taken
EquipmentRemoved the dome from the Greek Basil.
Not much different but I took the done off the Greek Basil and will trim out some to one plant soon.
GrowLog
SuccessfulRotating Basil, Cilantro, Oregano, Parsley, and Thyme Garden
Grow log by Shawn · Original thread
13 visual updates14 photos59 replies
View recapCrop🌿Basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, thyme
VarietyGenovese basil, AeroGarden Purple Basil, Lettuce Basil, Pluto Greek basil, Greek oregano, Santo cilantro, Slo-Bolt cilantro
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Harvest
Plants6
AudienceAdvanced
What you can learnA rich rotating-herb diary with cultivar comparison, repeated harvest, failed seed replacement, crowding management, and selective termination.
Actions:3 Planting3 Pruning3 Harvest2 Training2 Equipment2 Finished1 Nutrients
Useful practices
- moving pods to reduce shading
- freezing basil trimmings
- replacing old or failed cilantro seed
- rotating varieties within one Harvest
- ending individual plants when spacing or pruning failed
Problems encountered
- slow parsley
- cilantro root breakage
- failed cilantro seed
- crowding among basil varieties
- Lettuce Basil cut too low
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Day 138
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
Actions taken
PruningReported multiple thyme prunings.
Greek Basil is almost over the label. The oregano has wonderful large leaves growing. The thyme has been pruned many times and keeps growing as with the Cilantro.
Day 133
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
HarvestCollected a full freezer container before removing the plant.
FinishedEnded the Lettuce Basil after an overly low trim.
TrainingRearranged the remaining herb pods.
PlantingAdded a new, unspecified plant after rearranging.
Today I terminated the Lettuce Basil. I did the initial trim too low, my fault. I did get a full freezer container of it before ending.I rearranged pods and planted something new.PS, Id ANYONE needs this template or a template of another machine, PM me and I can give you the link to download. I made them so they are simple.
Conversation
H
Sorry to hear about the lettuce basil, Shawn.But how did you like the leaves that you did harvest?
S
The lettuce basil is wonderful. I will grow again soon.
M
The lettuce basil definitely has a low growth habit. Good for short machines, over the long run. But I'm still learning how best to prune/harvest them.Btw I'd love to use your template. (If I can figure out how...)
S
I will PM you MaryL
S
I should have taken a picture before and after. I had to harvest some of my Cilantro and the Thyme. I had a a lot of each.
Day 122
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
Cilantro is taking over the left front, you can hardly see the Greek Basil in the back LOL
Conversation
S
Nutes added
S
A change to this ongoing garden.I ended the Greek Basil and harvested a ton and have then in the freezer. I moved the Cilantro to the back left hole. I trimmed the Thyme and the Lettuce basil. The Oregano is doing really well.I have two open spots but will leave them for now.
Day 106
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Actions taken
FinishedRemoved the Genovese basil to create space.
PruningRemoved two very large Lettuce Basil leaves.
All are doing well. I ended the Genovese to Give the Greek Basil and Cilantro more room on the left side of the Harvest. (no pictures of this yet)But look at the size of this leaf on the Lettuce Basil. I have already trimmed this once to remove two huge leaves. This is after that trim.
Conversation
M
Huge! I think I’m going to start using these in sandwiches because they so easily cover so much space. It looks great.
Day 89
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
Actions taken
EquipmentWiped the garden after taking the photograph.
The Genovese was planted two weeks prior to the others. The Basil Lettuce (back R), Pluto Greek (Center L) and Cilantro (Front L) are all about the same size and planted the same time. The Oregano and Thyme show tiny life but they are also slower growers. All but the Genovese were planted on 8/22 I think. I should have wiped the down first but did if after the picture.
Conversation
H
I can’t wait to hear how you like lettuce basil and Pluto basil!
S
I trimmed several of the large Basil leaves and placed them in the freezer.
Day 85
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Still nothing in my paper towels but I guess that is still early I seem to have better luck with Calypso then Santo.
Conversation
M
That’s awesome!! Even one is success.
Day 49
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
Conversation
K
Absolutely beautiful!
U
They are a beautiful ornamental mix. If I were to plant hot peppers, it would be forornamental only. But with these herbs in her garden they are both ornamental and useful!
S
Thank you!
K
I get a Japanese garden vibe from it.
S
I hope a Zen vibe
S
I will be removing some of the current herbs and replanting with new ones. I know I will be removing the Parsley and One or two of the Basil. Just do not know yet. Will keep this updated.
S
Planted some Park Basil Lettuce (looking at Mary's made me want to try this), Johnny's Pluto Green Basil and some Park's Greek Oregano. I also am TRYING to germinate a couple of Cilantro's but this year am having no luck
K
I plan on adding Greek Oregano at some point. My main focus right now is getting Rosemary started, then starting my Chinese Garlic Chive seeds. In my Sprout, I currently have Chives, Thyme and Dill.
S
Yes, sometimes it gets frustrating waiting.
S
The Lettuce Basil and Pluto Greek are coming up. I can also see some life in the Oregano. I planted Thyme and nothing yet but I will say this in my best "you are not looking at me, whisper voice" I THINK the Cilantro in the pod is finally doing something. Shhh Now waiting to see what happens with the Cilantro in paper towels. If I get a few to germinate I will break out a harvest I have in the garage and plant them all.
M
I hope you have good luck with the cilantro.
Day 32
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Actions taken
HarvestHarvested all three basil plants for dinner.
I harvested from all three Basils for dinner tonight, here is what's left and I will leave it be to grow now.
Conversation
M
Super pretty
K
I love that purple!
U
I can't believe how neat and pristine your garden is!
S
Yes the purple is pretty. @cornne, I try my best. Especially since that is out in the open for all to see when I get company.
S
These are all doing amazing. I need to take a picture but they all got crew cuts so it will be a day or two.
Day 25
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Actions taken
PruningTrimmed the basil plants heavily.
HarvestStored the basil trimmings in freezer containers.
Here are my trimmed down Basils, Slow growing Oregano and slower Parsley. Once the Oregano vines start coming out it grows faster for some reason. When I put the trimmings in their containers in the freezer I realized I have two HUGE FULL ones of Genovese. I just started a third. I think after this one I will plant Mary's Basil Lettuce. AND I need to start cooking more. See these almost three months put me back but I have lots of Genovese Stash LOL
Conversation
S
I want to make note about the Purple Basil. The picture I posted today the leaves are not as purple. I am wondering if it is because these were below the dark purple leaves and did not get enough light OR is it because it wants nutes (which are due in a few days)? I am going to keep a watch to see if they get darker. Just something I observed and now I am wondering about.
K
I'm voting for needing food. FWIW, I don't feed just every two weeks anymore. If the plants clearly need food, I feed them smaller amounts between the scheduled feedings. I've noticed heavily producing and mature plants need feeding a lot more often than AG recommends. They suck a LOT of water, which clearly dilutes the nutrients. Mine do, anyway.
S
I have a jug of water with nutes in it so they get refilled with some nutes, just not the whole amount. Also with herbs and lettuce should always prune, snip or pick right before a feeding or a few days after. If you snip, prune or pick right after feedings or the day of they can be bitter tasting or even have a slight hint of nutes ..
K
I'll remember that, if I grow lettuce. I always pick my herbs between feedings, unless I make changes to my weekly menu. That's pretty rare though. I still plan a weekly menu with it's shopping list, and stick to it like I did when I was a chef back 40 years ago. I've never noticed any bitterness. My Thyme is especially awesome.
S
Ok so the Cilantro I planted and placed in the Ultra never took. So that was yanked. I then went to plant a new one and realized they were old seeds from 2016. I threw the old ones away and found the new ones I recently bought. I just started two different ones. One is a Slo-Bolt from Bakers Creek and the other is a Santo from Johnny's. If these fail I still have some from Parks.
Day 20
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Actions taken
TrainingMoved plants because Purple Basil was covering Genovese basil.
I moved some things around because the purple basil was covering the genovese. And then after I took this picture a purple basil leaf was missing and I saw Mark eating it LOL that is how I got the review
Conversation
M
Wow, that is beautiful!
S
I am so mad at myself. After trimming my basil down and moving my hand out of the way I got a spasm in my leg and my ring caught hold of the cilantro and pulled it out breaking the root. No saving it So I planted a few seeds and have them in the Ultra with my seedling peppers (since they do not have mooch yet) hoping they germinate faster there then with the other herbs. Then it will be moved. Stupid spasm
K
Grrr. Stupid spasm.
Day 11
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Trio of Basil: Cilantro and Oregano: Still waiting on the Parsley, if nothing in a few days I will replace with fresh seeds I just bought.
Conversation
K
I love Greek oregano. Years ago, I had a pot in a kitchen window that did very well. I gave it away when I moved. I hope it does well for you, too.
S
I do too. I tried Italian Oregano and did not like it. Italians use the Greek. Since that one time I have only grown the greek and have pretty good luck with it.
S
Finally there is a green stem in the pod of the Parsley and another Cilantro is pushing up.
S
Has anyone tried the AG Purple Basil? What did you think of it?
M
I have not grown it. Congrats on the parsley finally joining the party.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
PlantingStarted a six-position mixed herb layout.
PlantingRemoved Purple Basil seed from an AeroGarden pod and placed it in a Park sponge.
NutrientsStarted the garden with 4 ml nutrients.
OK, here we go again. I went thru my stash and figured why not try these all out. So my new configuration is pictured below with their vendor. I also ordered a bunch of fresh seeds to replace some old ones I had. Also the Purple Basil seeds were removed from the AG pod and placed in a Park sponge. Machine: Harvest Vendors: Burpee, AG, Johnny's, Ohio Heirloom Nutes: Started with 4ml Sponges: Park NOW if for some reason something does not germinate or taste good they will be replaced with something different but for now here it is....
Conversation
K
They all are yummy choices!
S
I was looking into the pods this morning and saw growth in the holes on all but the Parsley (slow grower) and the Oregano (also a little slow). I even saw a root beginning in the Cilantro, yes you heard me a root already. That was FAST! now to see if it takes.
S
My Oregano sprouted.
M
That was indeed fast on the cilantro. And the oregano. My parsley these days are hopeless, lol. I hope yours arrives soon.
S
All my basils are up with at least 3 if not 4 of each. I will wait until tomorrow to trim it down to two. Then wait a few days to decide which to keep. The oregano is a fast to germinate but slow to grow so it is slowly coming along. The Parsley if I look in the pod LOOKS like it is doing something but this is a slow one to germinate. Cilantro has a green tiny stem wanting to pop up over the label. Pics to follow...