PRODUCT: Microgarden
TESTED: Winter 2009
OVERALL SCORE: 89%
WADE’S SCORE: 92%

FEEDBACK

Was the system easy to set up and install?
Yes. You could get it up and running inside of 15 minutes. I leisurely put it together, and I had a good time doing so. Everything fit as it was supposed to, and I didn’t have any trouble with assembly.

Do you think the operating instructions are clear for all levels of grower?
I was disappointed. This thing is so close to being the perfect beginner kit. I wanted the instructions to hold my hand through the assembly and first grow.

What growth media did you use?
The kit comes with a generous portion of organic soil-less grow substrate, and a bag of pebbles for drainage. I liked it; it appeared to work as well as my current favorite (perlite and clay marbles), and it is a much better choice for beginners.

What plants did you grow in the system?
Tomato Chocolate Cherry because purple tomatoes are cool. Radish Cherriette Hybrid to test root development. Sweet leaf (aka stevia), my new favorite food supplement. Catnip because sometimes kitties need to unwind.

How often were they dripped/flooded?
I checked the moisture level of the pots over time to determine the correct settings. I started with 15 minutes out of every six (lit) hours at the beginning, and ended with fifteen minutes out of every two (lit) hours. At no point did the system appear to need water during dark periods.

Did you use natural light or artificial?
Artificial. 400 watt pass-through vented High Pressure Sodium.

Were the growth rates satisfactory?
Yes. I grew a matching set of clones in soil beside the Microgarden. The Microgarden plants appeared to gain at least two weeks’ worth of growth on the soil plants.

Did the system become overcrowded?
No. The system has space for eight 5” square pots. The pots that come with the kit fit well, and if something happens to one, or if you want to switch plants around, the standard 5” square hydroponic pots also fit just fine. For that matter, the top can hold a standard 1020 tray. With that in mind, you can grow what will fit in a tall 1020 tray (and leave enough space for the tubing). So you could grow one really big plant, or a bunch of little ones, or something in between.

Was it an easy system to maintain? pH, nutrient changes, etc?
Yes. If you plan on draining the nutrient solution while the unit is in use and full of plants, set it above ground level, buy a cheap syphon and a bucket, and drain the nutrient solution into the bucket with the syphon. A less convenient alternative would be to put the drip tubes in a bucket and let the system pump most of the water out (but don’t run too much of the water out, or the pump may be damaged).

SUMMARY

Any tweaks you would suggest to the design?
I would have liked some sort of nutrient level markings on the inside of the tank. Also, I thought the build quality of the interior 5” pots could have been a tad better. Compared to the really nice, thick 1/4” ABS plastic used in the rest of the unit they seem pretty average.

How was the harvest?
Every plant performed well. The tomatoes flourished better than the ones in my backyard (which admittedly received a lot less attention). The radishes were firm, crisp, and healthy, both in appearance and in taste. The sweet leaf was sweet, and the cat is in the other room listening to Jimi Hendrix so I assume the catnip was palatable.

Would you use it to grow again?
Yes. This is my new favorite toy; I’m putting a second unit on the top of my wish list to Santa. Having it built around standard sized measurements means replacement parts are easy and cheap. Even if you are the hardcore DIY type, take a look at buying the shell (but I want the whole kit again).

Did you use the supplied nutrients with the system? If so, what did you think?
The plants seemed to thrive using the included nutrients. I did not flush the system prior to harvest, and I could not taste any hint of fertilizer in the produce. There were no nutrient deficiencies, and no burns surfaced when using the recommended doses.

What do you think the ideal application is for this system?
Hobby use. The size is perfect for a closet or as a stand-alone indoor garden, and the components fit together easily. A great starter for a beginner or addition to an experienced grower’s space.

WADE RATES THE MICROGARDEN: 92%

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