They look pretty cool—I saw it on HGTV. I wonder how well they work?
They work as advertised. The compact flouerscent grow bulbs are about the energy consumption of 60W incandescents. I had one bad grow light and the company promptly sent me free replacements. Otherwise, the lights last 6 months and cost $25/pair. I had about a week-ten days with only one functioning bulb, so I would alternate it on either side every two days until the replacement arrived.
I started the cherry tomato kit in the Aerogarden on March 3.
I have three stocky, strong plants loaded with baby tomatoes at the moment.
The only problem, which is minor, IMO, is that the plants are so dense that the bottom leaves tend to dry up within a few weeks. So far, I have simply pinched those off. I mist them after the grow lights go off at night, as well.
My outside garden will get planted this week (we just had a light frost two night ago). The aeroponic tomatoes will be done about the time the garden tomatoes begin to ripen. At that time, I am planning on starting a salad greens kit in the Aerogarden that now has tomatoes. Future plans are to get a second one and have tomatoes and lettuce both this winter.
They are a little pricey to begin with and the kits are $20 each, but there isn’t much choice up here in Wisconsin where the growing season for lettuce can end with a hot spell and the tomato season ends in September or October.
I am considering a small greenhouse to extend the season for some other veggie crops,like peppers, but I live in a valley (a frost pocket/less light) and am unsure if the cost of light and heat will outweigh the value of the mini greenhouse.