AeroGarden Seed Starting System (Classic 6)

This is just what I needed to start seeds in- it's an insert that fits perfectly in the Aerogarden 6 to hold grow sponges. The insert is made of thick Styrofoam, and with proper care it will last a long time.It comes with nutrients, sponges for one use- you can buy more sponges to refill it to use it in the future, and instructions. The instructions are clear and easy to follow- but I'd recommend pulling out all the sponges and then putting them in when the insert is placed in the grow bowl. Otherwise some of them don't come up flush with the insert. Each of the sponges has a small divot to place your seeds in- it's a bit fiddly, I used tweezers to place seeds. There is also a paper key for marking which places are planted with which seeds.When you're seedlings get too big for this, transfer them to pots with potting soil, then harden them and plant them in your garden or if you just want to grow plants indoors, plant them in their final pots.

We used the kit to successfully start tomatoes (in the back), onions, and cilantro (which is very hard to grow). These came up quickly and strongly, and we've just transplanted them to larger pots which we're putting outside during the day to harden before planting in the ground (as recommended).However, our moon plants and morning glory seeds (in the front) never sprouted. Thyme seeds sprouted but then got covered with white fungus and the plants died.Aerogarden is sending replacement plugs and recommended putting a bit of peroxide in the water to kill the fungus. The peroxide may be important if you're using a garden that has been previously planted (rather than a brand new one).We're semi-satisfied with the system, and very satisfied with the support that the company provides when things don't go as expected.

We grow all different kinds in our starter. Many of the seeds came from the rare seed catalog, my favorite place to get seeds! now, in some of these packets there’s only like 10 seeds, so it’s very important to me to be able to sprout as many plants as possible. This starter kit is fantastic because I had like 100% germination rate. It takes a lot of guess work out, roots grow very strong, good solid stocks. basically everything I grew ended up going out in our garden. Yes the top part is very simple Styrofoam but it actually works great. Easy to clean. I’m glad I got this.

There are a few things that I don't like about this product.The plugs that come with it are sinking low and poking up high, it took some playing with them to get them to stay in the right place.But the main cons are:-This is made of Styrofoam and mine came already crumbling in some areas straight out of the box. It probably will not last long, it says a few uses on the advertisement details but I'm not sure if it will hold up well enough.-It floats above the rim of the water basin, it doesn't seem like it is made by Miracle Grow and has a tight fit with the actual water basin. It is just like Styrofoam floating on water, not a secure fit.-The white makes it incredibly bright and reflective to the point that it's bothering my eyes while on the kitchen counter. In comparison to the black tray the AeroGarden comes with, it's very bright and reflective!Pros-Looking forward to getting starts growing in the kitchen without taking up a lot of space.-Comes with the advertised extra bottle of nutrients you will need to grow your starts.If you want to start plants with your Aerogarden then I strongly recommend just buying the black one which would solve each of the problems I have with this product, it's totally worth a few extra dollars!

Nice kit

tl;dr: This product description is misleading and requires an additional $149.95 purchase which has a high rate of returns. Look elsewhere for herb gardens and aero/hydroponic systems.The only part of the description that indicates this "starter system" requires another purchase is "Works in aerogarden space saver 6 corner gardens," and the fact that the product only weighs a pound.The picture would lead you to believe the black base comes with this, but in fact only the white foam insert and grow sponges are included. You will also need the "AeroGarden Classic 7-Pod with Gourmet Herb Seed Kit" listed here: http://www.amazon.com/AeroGarden-Classic-7-Pod-Gourmet-Black/dp/B000FI4O90/ref=pd_bxgy_lg_img_yThe AeroGarden Classic 7-Pod is a base for the foam insert and a grow light, and is $149.95. The 7-Pod comes with an "Gourmet Herb Seed Kit", but doesn't say if the Starter System's foam insert and grow sponges are included. This could mean purchasing both for a total of 179.90, a considerable amount more than the Starter Systems' $29.95.Note that in spite of the overall positive reviews, the AeroGarden Classic 7-Pod is currently under review by Amazon. Amazon says this is "because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it's described here," but after checking the 1-star reviews I believe it's due to a high number of pump failures and consistent complaints about AeroGrow's poor customer service.All I wanted was a low maintenance grow medium that I could leave in the kitchen, something that would need natural light and feed. Because of the misleading picture on the Starter System I could not easily determine what was required for this product to function. After opening the product and realizing it required another purchase, I found that both products do not indicate what is required for them to work. This seemingly intentional lack of details would be enough for me to not purchase from AeroGrow again.But after seeing the 7-Pod, how much it costs, consistent product failures and accusations of poor customer service and Amazon's review of the situation, I felt compelled to leave a review. I suspect the reviews of the 7-Pod are true and that since AeroGrow has provided an inaccurate and misleading product description I should dissuade others from purchasing this product at least until these situations are remedied, if at all.

Working well but next time I will need to trim a little from underneath to accommodate the pump and prevent it from floating above the water so much. Very happy with the germination in this older aero garden space save 6

This product is terrible! It is the worst waste of money I have ever spent in a long time! It doesn’t fit properly in the aero garden, it’s floats so that it is difficult to tell how low the water is. The water doesn’t come into the plant properly. It is a thick piece of Styrofoam with holes in it. It is not worth anywhere near what I was charged for it. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and tried to start plants in it and it was a total waste of time! I should not have given it the benefit of the doubt and tried it.! I should have returned it immediately!

I gave a poor rating but keeping what I got as I hope it will be useful in my actually System I've ordered. instead of a system I got a tray not what is mentioned above returning for less money is not an option for me I'll find a use for what I have. thank you for your time.

This product works great for starting seeds. I was too impatient to wait till spring to start seeds, so I threw in a few that I was unsuccessful in germinating the traditional way. Hard to germinate hot pepper seeds came up in a week, same with 3 year old foxglove seeds. It took a couple weeks, but even the cana lily seeds sprouted.

A bit disappointed in the styrofoam product. Was expecting at least a plastic cover like the miracle grow aerogarden comes with. The holes in the styrofoam are also too big for the peat moss pellets it comes with so they tend to fall through.. All in all its a nice idea but I'm disappointed once again by the cost versus quality of a product that goes along with my aerogarden.