| When it comes to growing plants indoors, many | | | | grown foods also classify as organic. Since produce |
| people usually think of their experiences with | | | | grown aeroponically is growing in probably the most |
| common houseplants growing in the potting soil that | | | | ideal scenario possible, it's always of exceptional |
| the local supermarket always have sitting out front all | | | | quality and flavor. |
| summer long. But that's old school. These days, it's | | | | The best part about growing plants with aeroponics |
| quite possible to grow almost any plant indoors, at | | | | is that thanks to modern design and manufacturing |
| any time of the year, with modern no-soil-required | | | | technology, there are fully self-contained and almost |
| growing technology. One of the most advanced | | | | totally automatic aeroponic growing systems available |
| forms of indoor no-soil-required gardening is called | | | | for less than $200. With a device like this, the hobby |
| Aeroponics. | | | | of indoor gardening with aeroponics is easy enough |
| The term "aeroponic" refers to the technique of | | | | for almost anyone to try. |
| growing plants in air instead of soil. At first this | | | | One very popular model of indoor self-contained |
| concept seems almost unbelievable. How could it be | | | | aeroponic gardens is made by a company in Boulder, |
| possible to grow plants in nothing but air? Here's how | | | | Colorado called AeroGrow. Their flagship aeroponic |
| many aeroponic plant growing systems work: | | | | growing system is called the "Aerogarden". Retailing |
| Seeds are placed in some sort of water-permeable | | | | for just $150, the Aerogarden is an exceptionally |
| material, like a sponge. The sponge is then suspended | | | | easy to use indoor gardening system. It's got a fully |
| above a reservoir containing clean water and a | | | | automatic pump system and integrated grow lights. |
| nutrient solution. At periodic times throughout the | | | | After getting the Aerogarden initially set up, |
| day, an electric pump turns on and floods the sponge | | | | maintenance is as simple as keeping the water |
| material with the nutrient-rich water from reservoir. | | | | reservoir filled and adding nutrient tablets every two |
| The excess water drips back into the reservoir, | | | | weeks. The Aerogarden's control panel even alerts |
| ready to be recirculated and maybe be absorbed by | | | | you when the water is low or even when it's time to |
| the growing plant. | | | | add new nutrients. Most Aerogarden kits even |
| To simulate the sunlight plants need to | | | | includes a herb seed kit to get you going growing |
| photosynthesize, most aeroponic gardeners use | | | | seven different plants right out of the box. Each |
| florescent growing lights. These growing lights are | | | | Aerogarden seed kit contains seeds and enough |
| designed to exactly reproduce the specific part of | | | | nutrients to sustain the plants for months. If herbs |
| the light spectrum that plants use for photosynthesis, | | | | aren't to your liking, Aerogrow offers dozens of |
| the biological process that plants use to turn light into | | | | varieties of Aerogarden seed kits and even empty |
| energy. Most modern aeroponic gardens use an array | | | | pods so you can try to grow whatever you'd like... so |
| of florescent grow lights that are controlled via a | | | | long as it grows small enough to not exceed the |
| digital timer that has been programmed to turn the | | | | capacity of the counter top-sized Aerogarden! |
| lights on and off at specific intervals to optimally | | | | With small home aeroponic systems like the |
| simulate the natural cycle of daytime and night. | | | | Aerogarden, even people that would not have |
| Some of the main advantages of aeroponic growing | | | | previously had the opportunity to raise a traditional |
| is that since the growing environment is completely | | | | outdoor garden, such as urban apartment dwellers, |
| controlled artificially, it can be done at any time of | | | | can now enjoy easy success at one of mankind's |
| the year. No need to wait until the perfect time to | | | | oldest art forms. These systems are so easy to use |
| plant seeds in the spring...you can start and maintain | | | | that they can be used successfully by both the old |
| an aeroponic garden at any time of year. Almost any | | | | and young alike. Instead of a fish-filled aquarium, |
| plant can be grown aeroponically, although many | | | | aeroponic gardens even make a great alternative |
| larger plants may require very large aeroponic | | | | piece of room décor and are sure to be a |
| growing systems. | | | | conversation starter amongst your friends and |
| Food grown with aeroponic technology is far healthier | | | | household guests. |
| than produce grown through traditional soil | | | | Thanks to the amazing aeroponic plant growing |
| techniques. As aeroponic fruits and vegetable are | | | | technology of the 21st century, the joys and |
| usually grown indoors, the use of dangerous | | | | rewards of raising a garden can now be had by |
| pesticides is not necessary and many aeroponically | | | | anyone in the comfort of their own home. |