Aerogarden 100602 User Manual

™

…click

click

When using this AeroGarden electrical furnishing, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following:

Read all instructions before using this AeroGarden furnishing.

1. To reduce the risk of electric shock, the AeroGarden has a speciﬁc plug. Do not change the plug in any way.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Start Here!

Keep This Guide!

Quick Setup Guide

Simple Steps to Get Your AeroGarden Up and Growing (No tools required)

Welcome to the world of indoor gardening!

The AeroGarden 6 is one of the most advanced countertop gardens in the world, and it’s also really easy to use. In fact, the AeroGarden 6 is ready to grow in less than ﬁve minutes with just ﬁve easy steps that anyone can do!

This handy Quick Setup Guide shows you how to get started and provides all you need to know about the AeroGarden 6, and also oﬀers tending and harvesting tips for your new garden.

DANGER

2. Always unplug the AeroGarden from electrical outlet before cleaning or changing Grow Lights (light bulbs).

WARNING

3. Unplug AeroGarden from outlet before putting on or taking oﬀ parts.

4. Close supervision is necessary when an AeroGarden is used by or near children, invalids, or disabled persons.

5. Use AeroGarden only for its intended use as described in the instructions. Do not use attachments not recommended by manufacturer.

6. Never operate AeroGarden if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped and damaged, or if it has been dropped in water. If any of these conditions occur/exist, contact www.AeroGardenSupport.com or your country’s local distributor for instructions.

7. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.

8. Never operate furnishing with air openings blocked. Keep air openings free of lint, hair, and the like.

9. Never drop or insert any object into any electrical openings.

10. Do not use outdoors.

11. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

12. Do not touch moving parts or hot parts such as pumps, bulbs, reﬂective surfaces, and the like.

13. To disconnect, remove plug from outlet.

14. Do not place or submerse base, cord, plug, or lamp hood in water or other liquid to clean it.

15. Do not allow water to contact hot light bulbs.

16. Use only approved and supplied parts and accessories. Use only AeroGarden brand Grow Lights with this AeroGarden model. Use of any other kind of accessory is not recommended. Replacement parts can be ordered from www.AeroGarden.com

17. Do not use AeroGarden for other than intended purpose.

18. This product is intended for household and residential use only. This product is not approved for commercial applications.

19. If supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualiﬁed technician in order to avoid a hazard.

20. Electrical wiring must be in accordance with local regulations.

21. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

22. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.

– to reduce risk of electric shock:

– to reduce risk of burns, ﬁre, electric shock, or injury to persons:

AeroGarden 6 Model #: 100602-BLK Electrical rating: 120V~60Hz, 1A

Date Code:

5 Easy Steps

To Get Your AeroGarden Ready to Plant

Insert Lamp Arm

into Base

Push Lamp Arm straight

down until you hear a

“click.”

Lamp Arm

(back view)

Base

(back view)

Lamp Hood (front view)

Lamp Arm

(front view)

} Order replacement Grow Lights, extra Seed Kits and Accessories at www.AeroGarden.com

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Included in Package

™

Add

Replace

Nutrients

Bulbs

Bowl & Base Assembly

(front view)

Grow Lights (2)

Model #100340

Seed Kit

Install Grow Lights

Push Grow Lights straight into sockets in Lamp Hood

DO NOT

TWIST

LIGHTS!

For optimal growth, replace Grow Lights every 6 months.

Plug Lamp Cord

into Lamp Hood

Push Lamp Cord ﬁrmly into socket in Lamp Hood

Power Cord

Lamp Hood

(bottom view)

Lamp

Cord

Lamp Hood

Place Your Garden...

• On a sturdy, water-tolerant surface

(metal surfaces may cause noise due to vibration)

• Under a space that allows 22" (56cm) clearance

for the full height of raised lamp

• Near a standard electrical outlet, per local regulations

• In a 65-75°F (16-23°C) environment (optimal)

• Away from reach of children or pets

• Away from direct sources of heat

(e.g., stove, furnace vents) or cold (e.g., window drafts, A/C vents)

Lamp Hood

(front view)

Note: Do not place beneath

under-cabinet lights.

Add

Replace

Nutrients

Bulbs

Place Lamp Hood

on Lamp Arm

Center hands over Lamp Arm and push Lamp Hood down until you hear a “click.”

Set Bowl into

Coupling

Base

Check to be sure that Bowl

is securely seated on

Air Coupling in Base.

Air

• AeroGardens do not need additional light or a sunny

window. In fact, too much direct sunlight can overheat your plants

• For optimal tending & harvesting, also consider

placement with easy access to un-softened water

Lamp Arm

Bowl

(front view)

™

Add

Replace Bulbs

(back view)

Nutrients

(front view)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your garden is ready to grow.

It really is that easy!

For more details on planting, growing and

harvesting your AeroGarden, please turn the page

➠

Nutrients

Base

(front view)

™

Herbs

Salad

Greens

Add

Vegetables

Advanced Features

Flowers

Replace Bulbs

AG6QSG_8.31.indd 1 8/31/13 12:55 PM

NEXT : Planting Your Garden

Add

Nutrients

Replace Bulbs

™

Add

Nutrients

Replace Bulbs

Advanced Features

Vegetables

Flowers

Herbs

Salad

Greens

™

Salad

Greens

Flowers

Advanced

Features

Vegetables

Herbs

1. Add Water

Add water to “Fill To Here” indicator located below View Door.

Use room temperature tap water or bottled distilled water. Do not use well water or softened water, as it contains levels of sodium usually harmful to plants.

When additional water is needed, water level indicator will be red. Add water to raise level up to “Fill To Here” inside Bowl. For best results, add water frequently to “Fill To Here” before water level indicator turns red.

2. Add Grow Pods

Insert Grow Pods into openings in Grow Surface.

Grow Pod Labels often identify plant height to assist

with placement. Look for height noted on Labels.

Plants grow best and look best if medium or tall plants are in back and front center openings, and short plants are in front side openings (see diagram).

Seed Kits for tomatoes and peppers often include both Grow Pods and Plant Spacers. Plant Spacers allow your tomato/pepper plants ample room to grow.

Do not remove Labels from Grow Pods. The labels identify the plant type and plant height, show the germination time, and inhibit algae growth.

Water level indicator changes from red to green as water is added. Water level indicator is GREEN when Bowl is full.

Lift up

View Door

Add 3 quarts

™

Add

Replace

Nutrients

Fill with water to “Fill To Here” Indicator

located below the View Door

(

Grow Pod Label

Use height information on

Grow Pod Label to decide

where to place each

Grow Pod in Grow Surface

Back

Grow

View Door

Front

Med

Tall

Med

Tall

Med

Tall

Surface

(Top view)

Med

Tall

Note: Our Universal Grow Pods are well-designed to ﬁt into the Grow Surface of any AeroGarden model. Slight pressure may be required to insert pods fully in some models.

)

ShortShort

Bulbs

Grow

Pod

Insert 1 Grow Pod or Plant Spacer

into every opening in Grow Surface

(2.8 Liters) water

Plant

Spacer

3. Add Bio-Domes

Place a Bio-Dome over each Grow Pod.

Bio-Domes rest on Grow Pods and do not ‘snap’ into place. Also, it is not necessary for Bio-Domes to cover any Plant Spacers in your AeroGarden.

Leave Bio-Domes on the Grow Pods until plants have sprouted and their leaves nearly touch the domes.

Once removed, Bio-Domes may be reused/recycled.

4. Add Nutrients

Nutrient instructions may be found on the packaging, as well as in the Seed Kit Instructions booklet. Read and follow the instructions carefully!

Shake Liquid Nutrients well before feeding your AeroGarden or any other plants. Use only the recommended amount of Liquid Nutrient.

Add nutrient directly into Bowl when ﬁrst planting your Seed Kit, and when the ‘Add Nutrient’ reminder activates (every two weeks). Do not overfeed! “More” isn’t better. Too much nutrient may be harmful to your plants.

Note: Remember to record the Starting Date (the date your Seed Kit was planted) on a calendar or in a notebook.

Place Bio-Domes

™

Add

Replace

Nutrients

Bulbs

Lift up View Door

Nutrient Feeding Tip: Always top oﬀ water level when adding Liquid Nutrients, and as the Water Indicator moves from green to red. For best results, top oﬀ the water level in your garden regularly.

Add nutrients

directly into

Bowl

Removing Bio-Domes

When plants sprout through hole in Grow Pod Labels, and are almost touching dome coverings, remove Bio-Domes and reuse or recycle.

Reminder: Do not remove

Bio-Domes until seeds

NEVER REMOVE SEED POD LABELS

♻♳

have sprouted.

5. Plug In Cord

Grow Lights

will illuminate

Air bubbles will appear

in Water Bowl

Control

Panel

will blink

Congratulations! You’re on

your way to a beautiful garden.

™

Control Panel Settings

SELECT Plant Type

•

Press the SELECT button until you reach the type of plants you are growing: Vegetables, Salad Greens, Herbs, or Flowers. Your AeroGarden 6 Grow Lights will automatically turn on and oﬀ at pre-programmed intervals according to the plant type selected.

Advanced Features: Sets lights to a 17-hour cycle. Advanced Features can also set the Grow Lights to a 24-hour cycle. To activate the 24-hour cycle, press and hold the ‘Select’ button until the green light blinks (about 3 seconds), then release. The Grow Lights will now stay on continuously.

Add Nutrients

•

When “Add Nutrient” light blinks (every 2 weeks), add

Liquid Nutrients into the Bowl and top up the water level to “Fill To Here.” Press and release the “Reset” button to restart

nutrient timer and turn oﬀ the blinking light.

Replace Bulbs

•

When “Replace Bulbs” light blinks (after 6 months of use), it is time to replace both Grow Lights. You may want to turn oﬀ Grow Lights for a few minutes to allow them to cool. Once replaced, press and release “Reset” button to restart

(see light cycles chart at right)

Grow Light timer and

turn oﬀ the blinking light. Additional Grow Lights can be ordered at aerogarden.com.

Lights On/Oﬀ

•

Use to occasionally override built-in light

Light Cycles (Aerator runs 24 Hours)

Garden Selection Lights ON...

Vegetables 16 hrs.

Salad Greens 16.5 hrs.

Herbs 17 hrs.

Flowers 15.5 hrs.

Advanced Features

activate a 24-hour cycle, see instructions at left

This setting can also

17 hrs. 24 hrs.

timer. Once pushed, lights will stay on/oﬀ until the next time built-in light timer is set to go on/oﬀ. This will not aﬀect the timing of your light cycle and occasional use of this feature will not harm your plants.

Note: In case of an electrical power outage, your AeroGarden has a backup memory system which stores timers for light, nutrients, grow light replacement, and plant selection settings. Once power is restored, your AeroGarden will revert to the On/Oﬀ Light cycle you have set.

How to Personalize Your Light Timer (optional)

When you plug in your AeroGarden for the ﬁrst time, the Grow Lights will come on. They will continue to come on at this same time every day. If you are satisﬁed with the light timer, you do not need to make any changes. If you would like to change the time of day when the lights come on, follow these simple steps:

At the exact time of day when you want the lights to come ON:

1. Turn Grow Lights ON, if they are not already on, using the “Lights On/Oﬀ” button. Lights must be ON in order to reset timer.

2. With the lights ON, press and hold the “Lights” button. Watch for the light next to the plant type you selected to begin blinking. It will blink slowly for the ﬁrst few seconds, then will begin blinking rapidly. Keep holding down on the “Lights” button until the rapid blinking begins, then release.

3. After releasing the “Lights” button, the Grow Lights will go oﬀ, and about 10 seconds later they will come back on. The lights are now set to come ON at this time each day.

If you prefer to set the lights for the time of day when they will go OFF, follow these same instructions, (at the exact time of day you want the lights to turn oﬀ) but instead release the “Lights” button when the plant selection light is in the initial slow blinking mode.

Note: You can reset your timer as often as you wish.

Blinking Light

(with Herbs

selected)

An Important Note

About Lights

Your AeroGarden 6 has a

Your AeroGarden 6 has

built-in timer for Grow

lights and a built-in timer

Lights that automatically

that automatically provide

provides your plants with

your plants with “sunlight”

“sunlight” (about 16 hours)

(about 16 hours) and “night”

and “night” (about 8 hours).

(about 8 hours). As long as

As long as your plants get

your plants get this amount

this amount of light, it does

of light, it does not matter

not matter what time the

what time the lights are oﬀ.

lights are oﬀ. Many people

Many people ﬁnd it most

ﬁnd it most convenient to

convenient to have the

have the lights go on in the

lights go on in the morning

morning and oﬀ at night, to

and oﬀ at night, to match

match their own personal

their own personal wake

wake and sleep schedule.

and sleep schedule.

Gardening Tips for Maximum Harvests

planting

} Many AeroGarden pods are labeled for height. Gardens

grow and look their best when tall plants are planted in back, medium plants in the middle, and short plants in front side openings. If plants are all the same size, as in the Salad Greens Kit, they can be planted anywhere.

} Do not remove labels from seed pods. The labels identify

the plant type and plant height, show the germination time, and inhibit algae growth.

} Bio-Domes help regulate moisture and temperature for

optimal germination. Leave them on until plants are nearly touching the domes.

} Seed Kits for large plants like tomatoes and peppers often

receive fewer than 7 pods to compensate for the large plant size. Place seed pods in each front/side opening and in the back left or right opening. Put plant spacers in the remaining openings.

germination

} Some seeds germinate in less than 24 hours. Some take 24

days or more. Most AeroGarden Seed Pod Labels give an estimate of how long your seeds will take to germinate but many factors impact germination.

} Plants are impacted by temperature. As a rule of thumb,

if you are comfortable, so are your plants. However, cold weather plants like Salad Greens germinate better in cooler temperatures. Heat lovers like tomatoes and peppers will germinate faster in warmer temperatures (above 70°F). But don’t sweat it! While they may take a bit more time, your seeds will germinate.

} If you are growing your own seeds, plant 5-6 seeds per

pod and check the seed packet for information regarding temperature and days to germination.

pruning

} Lower your plants, don’t raise your

lights! You will achieve more compact, beautiful growth and bigger harvests if you prune plants to keep the lights closer to all plants in your Garden.

} Fast growing plants (like basil)

make gardeners want to raise the lights too soon. Resist! Pruning the plant just above a new leaf set (Diagram A) and leaving the lights down low will ensure that slow growing and low growing plants in your garden get all the light they need to ﬂourish.

} Not pruning is the number one

gardening mistake made by new AeroGardeners! Prune early and prune often — and enjoy your ﬁrst small harvests!

} Plants compete for light. Left untended, more aggressive

growers can actually block enough light to suppress growth of their slower growing neighbors, which eventually can die oﬀ due to lack of light. Spreading leaves must be trimmed (Diagram B) to make sure that all plants get enough light to thrive and produce big yields.

} Finally, pruning = harvesting. Each time you prune you

get to enjoy fresh-picked herbs in a salad, soup, on pizza

Diagram A

Diagram B

Too High

Cut Here

Starter

Leaves

or a sandwich. And, a full, bushy garden looks much better than one spindly, giant plant surrounded by straggly, lightstarved neighbors. Pruning also releasesa wonderful scent. So prune!

} Learn more about pruning at www.AeroGarden.com/Help.

lights

} Plants love light! Always keep your Grow Lights as close

to your plants as possible. However, plants touching the lights will discolor those leaves and they will have to be snipped oﬀ.

} Always check to see if you can prune plants instead of

raising the lights.

} After pruning, lower your lights back down if necessary.

Plants should be 1–2 inches below lights.

} For best growth, we recommend replacing Grow Lights

every 6 months.

water

} Plants grown in the AeroGarden are designed to thrive

with most municipal tap water. Improved results can be seen with distilled water or reverse osmosis water, but this is not needed in most cases.

} Do not use well water or softened water. Most well water

contains a high amount of dissolved solids that upset the balance of our nutrients, and softened water adds sodium. This can result in plants suddenly browning, or just not growing well.

} While the AeroGarden water level indicator will remind you

when water gets low, best results are achieved by topping oﬀ water regularly — add water up to “Fill To Here” before Water Level Indicator turns red.

nutrients

} Typically, your plants will need nutrients every two weeks.

} Always shake nutrients well before adding.

} Follow instructions for feeding on the Liquid Nutrient

packaging. Add nutrients directly into water bowl.

} Nutrient requirements for tomatoes and peppers may

change as plants grow. Please refer to the Liquid Nutrient packaging for speciﬁc details.

} More isn’t better. Resist the temptation to add “just a little

extra.” Too much nutrient can hurt your plants.

} For best results, try a “Rinse and Reﬁll” once a month when

it’s time to add nutrients. Simply empty all water from the bowl, add fresh water and nutrients and press “Reset” to reset the Nutrient Timer. This balances the nutrients, delivering an instant ‘pick up’ to plants.

harvesting

} Many ﬁrst-time growers are hesitant to harvest. Don’t be!

Most gardens will produce more, for a longer period, with frequent harvests. You almost can’t begin to harvest (prune) early enough.

} AeroGardens work best with a harvesting method called

“cut and come again.” Simply put, you enjoy frequent small harvests and then watch as the plants rapidly regrow — ready for harvest again and again.

} Enjoy frequent, smaller harvests for the ﬁrst month or two

until plants mature and larger harvests are available.

} Harvest often to maintain a healthy garden, but never take

more than 1/3 of each individual plant at a time.

} For Salad Greens, cut the top 2 inches oﬀ the entire garden,

or harvest large leaves individually by cutting oﬀ at the base of the plant.

U.S. CAUTION – You are cautioned that any changes or modiﬁcations not expressly approved in this

manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, this furnishing has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug will ﬁt in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not ﬁt fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not ﬁt, contact a qualiﬁed electrician to install the proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF

PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

Disconnect power before

servicing or replacing lamp.

Use only AeroGarden

Grow Light #100340

LIMITED WARRANTY

What Is Covered – This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, with the exceptions stated below.

How Long Coverage Lasts – This warranty runs for one (1) year on this AeroGarden and six (6) months on the Grow Lights(s),

from the date of original purchase, for the original purchaser/user.

What is Not Covered – The warranty shall not apply to problems arising from: normal wear; failure to adhere to enclosed

operating instructions; serial numbered products if the serial number has been removed or defaced; products subject to negligence, accident, improper use, maintenance or storage; products damaged by circumstances beyond AeroGrow International Inc.’s control; loss or damage to removable parts; or products modiﬁed (including, but not limited to, modiﬁcations through the use of unauthorized parts or attachments) or repaired by anyone other than AeroGrow International, Inc., or its designee. This warranty excludes all incidental or consequential damages.

What AeroGrow Will Do – AeroGrow International, Inc., at its option, will repair any defects in materials or workmanship or

will replace these products with ones of similar features and price. AeroGrow International, Inc.’s sole obligation and your exclusive remedy under this warranty shall be limited to such repair or replacement.

To Return This Product – If you have questions or concerns regarding your AeroGarden,

at 1-800-476-9669. Please do not return any product without contacting AeroGrow for return authorization. Unauthorized returns, as well as C.O.D. shipments, will be refused. For more information regarding returns, please see the Customer Care section at www.AeroGarden.com.

Due to continuing improvements, actual product may diﬀer slightly from the product described herein. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you speciﬁc legal rights, and you may have other legal rights that vary from state to state.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our customer service representatives at 1-800-476-9669.

please contact Customer Service

DO NOT SUBMERGE HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY

INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Do not immerse cord in water or other liquid, and unplug cord from outlet when not in use. Any servicing is to be performed by an authorized service representative.

AeroGrow International, Inc., P.O. Box 18450, Boulder, CO 80308

Grow Anything, Anytime...Guaranteed

Use original packing for storage when the furnishing is not in use.

AG6QSG_8.31.indd 2 8/31/13 12:55 PM

NEED SUPPLIES, ACCESSORIES OR INFORMATION? Call: 1-800-476-9669 or Visit Our Website: www.AeroGarden.com