Aerogarden: Week 5
Last week, I was really excited about the overall progress of my Aerogarden. I was finally able to use some of the herbs (well, only the basil); I made an egg white omelet with some basil that was pretty amazing. Over the week, everything has grown a LOT:
In fact, the basil has gotten so big that I had to extend the aerogarden top (it holds the bulbs) because the basil actually got a little burnt:
I’m sorry, my sweet little basil. I didn’t mean for your head to burn off! I see a nice caprese salad in your future:
The basil can be used everyday now, although it’s still not enough for pesto. If I combine all of the basil leaves from the farmer’s market AND the Aerogarden, I might get myself a nice little bit of pesto going.
Let’s go through my other herbs – starting with mint:
The mint has grown a lot this week, especially since it barely peeked out of the container last week. I’m excited to use it in chai tea in a couple of weeks.
The chives are also starting to grow a bit:
I don’t think I can make anything substantial with the chives anytime soon, but possibly some dumplings in the late fall.
Initially, I was afraid that I’d taken the lid off the oregano too early, but this week, the oregano grew a lot:
(well, maybe not A LOT, but a lot for one week!)
The dill is also doing quite well:
Especially because I thought it was dead for the first couple of weeks!
And finally, the thyme is starting to get out of control!!
Actually, I was looking at the pictures from last week and all of the herbs have done an amazing job; I love the weeks when they get nutrients because that’s when they REALLY sprout up a ton! One of the problems with the herbs growing so fast (specifically the basil) is that the Aerogarden no longer fits in my little area between the counter and the cabinets! I had the Aerogarden in this perfect little spot that wasn’t taking up any of my kitchen counter space, but now it’s a big hassle because with the extended arm, the Aerogarden is kind of big! I have to find a new space for it (maybe my closet?!)
I’m feeding my Aerogarden next week and I’ll be back next Tuesday with another update – and hopefully some recipes for when I actually start using all of the herbs!!
Reader Comments
Why don’t you give them nutrients every week? or every day? Except basil anyway…that guy’s getting a bit out of control.
You’re only supposed to give the Aerogarden nutrients every two weeks – if you had to feed it everyday, it would become a hassle, don’t you think? Yeah, basil is getting out of control, but I spoke to a friend that also has an Aerogarden and she said that she pruned the basil and it was all good.
I had an Aerogarden for a couple of years – I just got rid of it to free up counter space and because I started an herb garden terrarium in an unused fish tank. But the basil always grew like crazy till it crowded out and killed all the other herbs and the basil would take over the kitchen – so my advice is harvest it OFTEN. I also found that after a while it would become really fragile and lose a ton of leaves at every touch – but that might be because it was getting too much light (my counters would not allow me to fully raise the lid). Anyway, good luck with it – yours is looking good so far.
Jackie – that is such a great idea! (to use an unused fish tank for herbs) I just harvested my basil because it looked like some of the smaller pieces were being blocked from the light – not enough for pesto, sadly. The leaves are packed in an air-tight container and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to pick enough from the new growth so I can finally make myself some pesto! Thanks for the advice – I’m looking forward to using the basil and other herbs!
You should keep your basil harvested down to about the same height as your other plants, raising your light will cause your other plants to stretch and become weak and possible die.
Staci – Thanks for the AWESOME advice – I was getting kind of worried about my other plants because they seemed to be getting kind of fragile. I will cut down the basil now!
I am hopeful for your dill. If it can grow into a substantial plant, use it often. It is a good herb.