How to Clean an Aerogarden: A Step-by-Step Guide
Aerogardens are indoor gardens with built-in lights, water reservoirs, and sensors that automatically feed the plants and direct them towards the light to encourage growth. They’re incredibly easy to use, but over time they can become a bit smelly, slimy, and green if you don’t clean them properly.
Follow these instructions on how to clean an Aerogarden so it stays fresh and healthy for as long as possible. Luckily cleaning an Aerogarden is pretty simple and doesn’t take too much time or effort. It only needs doing once a week at most, depending on how often you water your plants.
If you’re like most people, the idea of tending to an indoor garden might feel foreign. Growing plants indoors is a wonderful hobby and experience, but with that comes a lot of maintenance. It’s not as easy as just tossing some seeds into the dirt and waiting for them to sprout! There’s a lot of upkeep with indoor gardening; from humidity control to light spectrums.
If you have an Aerogarden, however, you won’t have to worry about nearly as much maintenance! These indoor gardens are self-sustaining in many ways…almost like magic! They come with their own light source (LED) built in as well as their own water source (water reservoir). This makes them easier than standard indoor gardens – which is great news for anyone who wants to grow plants without dedicating a ton of time and effort toward it.
What is an Aerogarden?
An Aerogarden is an indoor garden that uses an aeroponic system to grow plants. Using an aeroponic system no-soil growing is done in less space and with less water than standard soil growing. Many Aerogarden models have built-in growing lights and irrigation systems, which makes the gardening process more convenient for the user.
Aerogardens are perfect for beginners and can be used to grow a wide range of plants, including herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, and many more! You can choose from a few different models of the Aerogarden, depending on the size and the amount of space you have available. If you want an Aerogarden but you live in a tiny apartment, you can also find mini versions of these indoor gardens.
How to clean your Aerogarden: Step by step.
Step 1: Drench Your Aerogarden Grow Bed in Water
Before you get any plants or parts wet, it’s important that all excess water be removed from the grow bed. This is to make sure that water isn’t trapped inside of the bed, where it might cause rust or damage. Start by turning off the Aerogarden and unplugging it.
You’ll also want to make sure the water spigot is switched off. Then, take a watering can (or a mop bucket) and pour water into the grow bed. Soak it fully so that no light comes out of the floor.
Step 2: Disassemble the Trays and Wash Each Part Separately
Next, you’ll want to disassemble the trays and wash each part separately. It’s important to clean all of the parts that are in contact with your plants and water. This includes the tray bottoms, tray sides, water spigots, and water reservoirs. Let all of the parts sit in a shallow bowl or bucket of water while you clean the other parts. Take your time cleaning everything; make sure there are no stuck-on bits of soil or plant matter.
When cleaning the tray bottoms, use a soft bristle brush to get any stuck-on dirt out of the edges and corners. The tray bottoms can also be washed in the sink with warm water and mild soap.
You can also use a small scrub brush on the tray bottoms if they are extra dirty. Make sure the tray bottoms are thoroughly rinsed and allowed to dry before you put them back on the trays.
Step 3: Shake Out the Aerogarden Grow Bed and Remove Any Debris
Take the top off of the grow bed and shake out the plants and plant debris. You can use a long-handled brush or a small handheld vacuum to get into the nooks and crannies. Make sure to remove any old or dead plants that may have been sitting in the bed. You can also take this opportunity to make sure there isn’t any debris or build-up in the water spigot. It’s recommended to do this regularly to avoid clogs!
Once your grow bed is clean, you can let the water dry out before you put the grow bed back into your Aerogarden. Make sure you don’t put it back into the garden while it’s wet – this can cause rust and damage to the water spigot.
Now that your Aerogarden is all clean, you can start growing plants again! Before you re-plant the grow bed with seeds or cuttings, you’ll want to make sure it’s dry. If it’s wet, your new plants could rot. Once it’s dry, you can re-plant the garden and get growing!
And there you have it! You’re now an expert on cleaning your Aerogarden. With just a few hours of maintenance each month, you’ll have fresh herbs and vegetables for months. Now all you need to do is decide what kind of plants you want to grow!
What You’ll Need to Clean Your Aerogarden (and Where to Get It)
- Washing Detergent – You’ll want to make sure that you’re using mild soap or washing detergent to clean your Aerogarden. Stronger chemicals may damage the parts, causing rust or residue.
- Water – You’ll also want to use plenty of water when you clean your Aerogarden. This way, you can make sure everything is thoroughly rinsed and unclogged.
- Long-Handled Brush – You’ll almost certainly be using a long-handled brush for many parts of the cleaning process. This is especially true of the grow bed, where bits of plant matter and dirt can get stuck in the inner corners.
- Small Handheld Vacuum – A handheld vacuum is a quick and easy way to remove debris from hard-to-reach places in your Aerogarden.
Conclusion
Aerogardens are an amazing way to grow delicious herbs, lettuce, and other greens indoors, year-round. However, they require a fair amount of maintenance, including cleaning. Luckily, cleaning an Aerogarden isn’t very difficult. Start by drenching the grow bed in water, disassembling the trays, and shaking out the grow bed. Once everything is clean, you can re-plant your garden and start growing your favorite plants!
Now that your Aerogarden is clean, it’s time to plant! Check out our guides on how to grow specific plants in your Aerogarden.
