We’ve been having so much fun with our indoor aeroponics system!
If you’re new and need a brief introduction to the world of aeroponics, check out my introductory blog post, linked below:
So far, the first and only thing we have grown in the system is Mesclun Mix Lettuce. I was hesitant to believe that this small 2′ x 2′ automated system would produce a higher yield than our traditional outdoor growing method.
And boy, was I wrong! Overall, I couldn’t be happier with our results.
Our twelve lettuce plants absolutely thrived in the system. We experienced no disease or pests within the system. We harvested over eight gallon bags of leaf lettuce before it got too bitter. Harvests took place approximately once per week, averaging two gallon bags per harvest.
Let’s recap what stood out to me about this growing method. I’ll weigh in on how it differed from growing outside and judge how it tastes. You’ll also see what we plan to grow next!
How does this crop of lettuce differ from our typical growing method?
Hands down, this batch of lettuce grew more quickly than any lettuce I’ve grown outdoors. Because the roots hang down vertically in the system, the receive maximum exposure to the nutrients they need. Because we took regular measurements of our total dissolved solids (TDS), we could track the uptake of the nutrients by the plants. Therefore, we were confident that the plants were always getting what they needed.
Furthermore, we were able to maximize our harvests per plant. Because there were no pests or disease, every leaf was viable for cutting, guaranteeing that we could consume everything we harvested. This dramatically reduced our waste. The only things we needed to compost were the plants and roots at the end when they became too bitter to use.
We also loved the automation aspect of the system. Seriously, it was almost as if the lettuce grew itself! The digital timer kept the pump regularly spraying the roots with the nutrient-rich water, the outlet timer kept the light going on for regular intervals. There was no weeding, no spraying for bugs, no keeping rabbits at bay, no covering to protect from frosts, and no watering. Really, what more could you ask? I’d wake up some days and be shocked at how much the lettuce grew just OVERNIGHT!
I know what you’re thinking. This all sounds great, but really, how does it taste?
Hands down this lettuce put the stuff you see in bags at your grocery store to shame. The best I can compare it is to the (typically more expensive) gourmet, smaller head lettuces you see in the clamshell containers in Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but even fresher. It really is true, the smaller the footprint your food takes to your plate, the better it tastes.
It’s a fact – growing Mesclun Lettuce aeroponically has changed the way I look at lettuce! I would highly recommend growing lettuce in an aeroponic system, especially if you are a beginner to this low maintenance growing method.
What’s next?
Now that we’ve cleared out our twelve pods, we have already made room for some new green babies! Next, we are growing Mini Romaine Lettuce. The small romaine heads are more compact than your traditional variety, which is perfect for the system. Heads will grow 6-8 inches in approximately 45 days. We are hoping to stagger production so that the heads do not all set at once, allowing us to continually enjoy and plant lettuce from this batch.
If you are interested in building your very own compact aeroponic system so that you can grow indoors, year round, please refer to my blog post, which includes a tour of our system, as well as a checklist of all of the items you will need to get started. It is linked below:
