Sanitizing your AeroGarden between seed kits is an important step in promoting healthy plants and disease-free roots. The bowls and grow decks of all Aerogardens should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after all the plants have been removed. Pathogens and bacteria are attracted to decaying organic matter that sticks to the inside of the bowl, and you do not want them to threaten the success of your next planting. Also, grow deck surfaces that look superficially clean may be harboring mold or algae spores waiting for an opportunity to hurt your plants. Among substances that are readily available, chlorine bleach is an effective sanitizer, and white vinegar, an organic alternative to bleach, is effective as both a cleaner and a sanitizer.
How to Sanitize All 7-Pod AeroGardens
(It is particularly important to flush the nutrient solution from the AeroGarden before storing it for any length of time to prevent the solution from drying into crystallized mineral deposits within the Pump and water channels!)
1) Unplug the AeroGarden.
2) Carefully remove the Bowl and Grow Surface from the Base and take them to a sink. (Whenever you lift the Bowl from the Base, be sure to lift it up before lifting it out so that you do not inadvertently bend the electrical contacts on the front of the Lamp Arm.) Set the Base and Lamp Hood aside. (Note: Never submerse the Base/Control Panel in water.)
3) Remove the Grow Surface from the Bowl and place on a counter near the sink (be prepared for dripping water).
4) Empty the contents of the Bowl into the sink. (Note: Don’t use this water on houseplants… the nutrient mixture may be too concentrated for them).
5) Remove the Seed Pods and plants from the Grow Surface: Pull the Seed Pods out of the Grow Surface openings. You may need to cut away the roots from the bottom of the seed pods in order to be able to remove them from the Grow Surface. Throw away the Seed Pods and plant debris (plant growth and roots). Although the Seed Pods cannot be reused, you can sanitize and reuse the plastic grow baskets. The plant debris can be composted.
6) Rinse and clean the Pump Stand and Pump Filter: Use a soft scrub brush to clean tangled roots from the Pump Stand. Remove the Pump Filter from the Pump Stand. Gently pull away any roots that may have become entangled with the Pump Filter. Holding the filter under running water generally works well to flush out debris. Place the Pump Filter back into the Pump Stand.
7) Clean the Bowl and Grow Surface: Use a soft cloth or sponge to thoroughly wipe the Bowl and Grow Surface. A mild soap may be used, but it is very important to rinse it thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
8) Sanitize the AeroGarden:
- Fill the Bowl ¾ full with water and add ¼ cup of chlorine bleach OR
- Add 5 cups each of distilled white vinegar and tap water to the bowl. Replace the Grow Surface on the Bowl, place the Bowl on the Base and plug in the AeroGarden for 5 minutes to let the water pump circulate the sanitizing solution through the grow deck.( If you have an AeroGarden Classic or Deluxe, select "Salad Greens" on the Select wheel. If you have the AeroGarden 7 Elite, Extra Elite, Pro 100 or Pro 200, set it on the Super Grow cycle (to do this, set it on "Strawberries", "Live Plants", or "Advanced Features", and then press and hold the Select button until the LED light starts blinking, then release). On these settings the Pump is set to run continuously, which will assure that the water is flowing.
- Unplug the AeroGarden and empty the sanitizing solution from the Bowl.
- Refill the Bowl with tap water and replace on the Base.
- Plug the AeroGarden back in and run with clean water for another 2 minutes to flush the sanitizing solution through the system. Unplug the AeroGarden and empty the rinse water from the Bowl.
- Repeat the entire rinse cycle again with fresh water to completely flush the system. This is very important.
- Towel dry the Bowl and Grow Surface before putting them back together and setting them back on the Base.
- Your AeroGarden is now ready for replanting.
Remember if your Grow Bulbs have been in use for 6 months or more, it is time to replace them.
