Ball 1440016021 Self-Watering Herb Growing Kit, Clear

This is really a great product. It was easy to grow and as you can see 3.5 months later, the basil grows like any other basil plant. Here are some tricks / tips if you're struggling:When you plant the seeds, make certain to give them a little spray of water every day. You don't have to drench them, but from my experience, seeds need moisture in order to germinate. in all, about 20 of my seeds germinated. They didn't all at the same time. As they do, you'll need to thin them out. Don't pull as you might damage other little seedlings. Just snip the seedlings you want to thin out with a pair of scissors. I ended up keeping 4 of the plants.As the plant grows, in order to get them bushy instead of tall and leggy, have a good light source. I have grow lights. And when they get big enough, don't harvest by just pinching off leaves, pinch back the top of the plant right above a leaf node. That node will grow into two segments and voila. Bushy plant instead of tall and leggy.When the plant is really established, start fertilizing it. You've got to use water based or hydroponic fertilizer. When the plant was still young, I used it at about half strength. As it has gotten more mature, it is at full strength. Unfortunately the introduction of fertilizer means you can get algae. After 3.5 months of growth, I've only just started noticing algae. Not sure why. But when you see just a bit of it, you need to remove the plant from the jar (protect the roots by putting the pot in a glass or something. Clean out the jar with hot soapy water and rinse.The only negative is that they seem to no longer be making these. I'd like to see more than basil. Cilantro can be a tough plant to grow hydroponically. I'd like to see some other herbs.

I ordered 3 of these for an herb garden indoors. They all arrived in good condition with all of the advertised parts. My low rating is because they also came with old seeds. All 3 had seed packets dated for use in 2020. As I have ordered these more than halfway through 2021 I am disappointed that the seed packets were not for this growing season. I understand that seeds may last but that is based on very good storage conditions and I am unaware of how these are stored before shipping. I will likely try just one of the included packets and use other seeds for the remaining jars in case there are germination issues from the old seeds.

Ball jar contains all the components but, the date of the seeds is use by 12/2020 and it arrived 08/02/2021

The germinating medium (dirt pod) did NOT grow when water was added. I had to break it up with my hands, and it's still clumpy. Growing Medium (gravel-type) was also very pulverized, so a lot fell through the sides of the pot and didn't reach the designated level. I'm not sure this will grow well. The other components of this kit are actually really well made. Obviously a Ball jar and ring, and the net pot & hydro wick are exceptional quality. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. My issue with mostly with the materials I received. We'll see if it grows!

The set up is very nice but the basil died.

❤️

Bought in January and I have only a small sprouting of basil 3 months later. I have other plants on the windowsill that have grown faster in soil and in hydroponics system similar to this. I was hoping to have a nice herb garden in mason jars, but now I know I'd be better off just putting some soil in a jar with seeds.

Love this item.