Remember those seeds from last week? On January 13th I planted Bauer lettuce seeds and I already have lettuce. I'm proud to announce that I'm well on my way to opening my own grocery store that specializes in tiny portions of everything.
Planted exactly 7 days ago in my countertop hydroponic system I already have 2 leaves of lettuce on each plant.
With 3 plants, each having 2 leaves that gives me a total of 6 lettuce leaves. At today's prices I'd peg this lettuce as having the value of ¼ of a used Rolls Royce.
Don't be fooled by the 4 leaves you *think* you see on each plant. It looks like each plant has 4 leaves, but the first two leaves that pop up when a seed germinates are kind of like practice leaves. All the leaves that grow after that are called the "true leaves".
You can see them as the leaves that have little points on them. THOSE are the first true plant leaves.
As those leaves start to get bigger the plant will put out more sets of leaves and on and on until there's a full car. I mean head of lettuce.
To the back left of my Aerogarden you can also see a Sungold tomato seedling that I started 2 days before the lettuce. Both seeds were gifts, the Bauer lettuce from All America Selections and the tomato from reader Dan.
Last week when I mentioned I was going to plant some of my new seeds in my Aerogarden I had a few people asking if the photo I shared was actually of my tomatoes that I grew in my Aerogarden.
A perfectly logical question because it looks too good to be true.
It was indeed a tomato plant grown by me in this little countertop unit.
To the left was 35 days after planting my tomato seeds. If you zoom in you can see along with flowers, there's also a tiny tomato growing. AFTER 35 DAYS.
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To the right ... I can't remember how many days after planting this was but I can tell you that whatever the date, it was the most exciting day on the calendar ever.
Read the post for proof here if you're getting the gardening itch as we enter the end of January.
I'm pretty excited to see how this Sungold cherry tomato does after 35 days. The tomato I grew in the photo above was a cherry tomato from Aerogarden's own seed pods. Obviously it grew very well.
It tasted O.K., good even, but didn't have a ton of flavour. Yet - still much better than the cherry tomatoes you buy at the grocery store in the winter.
Let's wrap this tomato and lettuce talk up and get to the rest of today.
THE 30 PIECE PUZZLE
The fast, easy one. Because you've got shit to do today.
THE 108 PIECE PUZZLE
The hard one. Because you've got shit to avoid today.
Have a good weekend!
Mary Fehlman
So, because of your hydroponic success, I am looking at systems online. I notice that there are no organic hydroponic fertilizers. Am I missing something? Please advise.
Karen
There are but you have to get them from specialty hydroponic stores. I've looked into it. I haven't experimented with them yet though. I begrudge taking the cap off of that tiny little Miracle Gro bottle every time I have to use it but not because of the ingredients in it - it has good ingredients - I just don't like the company. This is the alternative fertilizer from General Hydroponics that I would try. ~ karen!
SUSAN E COADY-BUTLER
Hi Karen!! Just wanting to let you, and all of your gang, know that we tried your How To Freeze Corn method last August. Just had some of the frozen corn, just like you said on a cold blustery snowy eve. Surprisingly good! Good enough that I will be freezing corn next summer using the same method. Best frozen corn we have ever done, (and we have tried them all!!) Thanks Karen. Now I wish I had frozen more than the Trial Dozen. Today starting some micro greens in our kitchen....trade you for some lettuce??! Stay cozy and warm.
Karen
Hi Susan, that's funny because I was just looking at the 7 frozen cobs I have left thinking I wish I'd grown more. It really does turn out well! ~ karen
Mary W
Dang - you got me before I had another cup of much needed coffee but I enjoyed Phillip two ways. Was he about to ? I keep waiting for that puzzle but you are so much more PC than I imagined. LOL
Linda J
The Aerogarden has intrigued me for some time. I followed your link but am now more confused on which model to choose. There are different screens for instance. Push Button, Touch, Digital, Digital Touch,…
Too many choices!!! I presume they all require touch of some type so I will likely get the least expensive but after reading your post I am inspired to go for it.
Have you tried any other planting medium or have you tried using your chicken fertilizer in a liquid form instead of the miracle grow.
Karen
AS of yet I haven't tried any other fertilizer though I've looked into it and found some at a local hydroponics store that could be used. You can only use fertilizer that's meant for hydroponic systems. I've picked this system out for you. It's a combination of the least expensive with the best reviews. :) ~ karen!
Jane
After your last post I ordered something almost exactly like this. Who knows, might be same manufacturer. Anyway, just put some arugula, microgreens and several herbs in it. Really craving fresh herbs easily available. Thanks!
Karen
I'm debating about whether to shove in a basil or a RED leaf lettuce so I have variety. :) ~ karen!
Darlene E Meyers
Hi Karen
Do you still have chickens?
Karen
I do! But I'm down to two of them (Mabel and Josephine) until I get a whole new flock. ~ karen!
KimS
Phillip is SO handsome!
Karen
He really is. And smart. But rather than using his smarts he often relies on his looks. 😂 ~ karen!
Randy P
Congrats on the mini garden success. Maybe it isn't alchemy after all. lol Oh, the puzzles were fun, snow dog infdeed. Since by design I have nothing important on the docket this evening they were 2:35 and 20:04 respectively. thanks for sharing them.
Karen
That's a respectable time. Every time I put a puzzle up with a dog I think that I HAVE to start taking photos of other things, lol. ~ karen!
Marion
Phillip is a handsome boy but I’m wondering . . . What happened to your cats?
Karen
Hi Marion. Cleo, my Siamese, had to be euthanized a few years ago due to renal failure, and I had to put Ernie, my stray, to sleep just before Christmas this year. ~ karen
Kat - the other 1
*Hugs* So sorry sweetie! 😫