AeroGarden Classic in Black

At first, I had indoor garden envy. As an indoor grower of herbs and flowering house plants I had to admire the beauty of the thing. After all, most of my grow systems are ‘jerry-rigged’ out of net pots, inexpensive plastic pieces and miscellaneous odds and ends soldered together – efficient and productive, but not very attractive. That’s what you get when experimenting (in soil, soilless, hydroponic, semi-hydro, aeroponic, passive hydro etc.) on a budget.

After observing my mom’s first growing season with the AeroGarden I was already thinking of ways I would reverse engineer the unit (if I had one) to grow the plants that *I* would want to grow, without having to buy the seed kits from AeroGrow. For this primary reason I wasn’t in any hurry to purchase a unit.

Fast forward to December 2009: I decided to get some replacement bulbs and seed kits as stocking stuffers for Mom. I discovered the Master Gardener Kit that allows you to plant whatever seeds you want in your AeroGarden Classic (so, Mom is getting that for Christmas, too). And I discovered all the different models that have come out since the original AeroGarden, from cute and colorful (see below) to space-saving units and the Pro Series. They even have a trellis system for tying tall plants like tomatoes and peppers.

Finally, after three years, I made the commitment – I ordered an AeroGarden Pro200:

To sweeten the deal, I got 20% off and free shipping. Check out unboxing the AeroGarden Pro200.

If you’re interested in a smaller unit, the AeroGarden 3 comes in lots of colors and patterns:

=> See all the AeroGardens available now

Basil is a very aromatic, bushy annual that grows very well as a house plant. Basil is a staple in the indoor herb garden, and probably one of the best herbs for hydroponic sytems. Basil stems can be rooted in water and will often grow there happily without ever being transplanted into soil or soilless mix.

Types of Basil Plants

Basil varieties range from dwarf varieties that grow only 6 to 8 inches in diameter to larger bushes reaching 2 ft. or more in height. Flavors vary depending upon the strength and character of the oil in the leaves.

Here are some popular varieties of basil growing in our indoor herb garden:

click to enlarge

Plant tray, back row: Genovese (Sweet Italian) Basil, Lemon Basil, Basil Fino Verde

Front row: Basil Aroma, Greek Basil, Lime Basil, Basil ‘Spicy Globe’
In the background: Sweet mini baby bell peppers growing in an Aerogarden, and a tray of thunbergia plantlets.

• Sweet basil (also called Basil Genovese, or sweet Italian basil) – this is the most popular, “common” variety of basil for Italian recipes, pesto sauce, etc. Indispensable to the kitchen garden
• Lemon basil – a small-leaved variety, small plant variety, with a strong lemon scent and flavor. Excellent for adding flavor to salads, salad dressings, and teas
• Greek basil – a very compact and bushy plant with tiny leaves. Fragrance is that of anise and clove, and an excellent addition to tomato-based dishes
• Lime basil – a compact grower with small light green leaves scented like citrus lime and sweet basil
• Aromatto basil (Basil ‘Aroma’) – has large, flat purple leaves and aromatic, spicy scented leaves. Grows tall (up to 18 in.)
• Basil ‘Spicy Globe’ – A compact hybrid that grows in a small, perfect globe. Excellent for containers and (we hope) indoor plant stands

Purple basil and cinnamon basil are also very popular varieties of basil for the kitchen herb garden.

How to Grow Basil Indoors

Basil seeds can be sown in pre-moistened peat plugs or Jiffy® pellets, or any moistened, well-drained seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds at room temperature (70-75F) about 1/8″ deep and one to two inches apart and place under lights or in a bright windowsill.chive seeds in a bright window or under lights. If you have a dry environment you will have the best results using a covered seed propagator, and if your environment is cool or the indoor temperature drops significantly at night a heat mat will help germinate your basil seeds.

Basil seedlings in starter plugs

» NOTE: To hasten germination use a heat mat and propagation dome.

Basil seeds germinate and grow exceptionally quickly when planted in an AeroGarden herb-growing system. If you use the Master Gardeners’ Kit you can sow and grow healthy basil plants of any variety all year round.

Harvesting Basil

You can start using leaves from your basil plant after the second set of “true” leaves emerges. (The first set of green leaves are the cotyledons, or embryonic leaves.) Once the second set of leaves emerge and are large enough for your use, pinch off those leaves above the node, which will cause the plant to branch out. Soon you will have a full, bushy plant and lots of lots of fresh basil.

Herb scissors are useful when harvesting basil leaves.

Drying Basil / Freezing Basil

The best tasting basil is fresh basil. Dried basil and frozen basil just can’t compare to fresh basil leaves. But if you have a large harvest and want to preserve basil, freezing is recommended over drying since much of the flavor is lost in the drying process.

If you decide to dry your basil, pick the leaves just before the plant flowers. To freeze basil, coat each side of each leave with olive oil and layer the leaves flat between sheets of wax paper and freeze in a plastic freezer container. You can also store whole basil leaves in olive oil and use as needed.

You may be interested in…

• Basil Seeds
• Seed Starting Supplies
• Herb scissors – very useful if you do a lot of cooking
• Herb grinders – useful if you dry herbs for later use

Recommended reading:

The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs

Little Herb Gardens

How to Grow Chives Indoors

Both regular chives and garlic chives can be grown indoors in kitchen gardens, on windowsills, or under plant lights. Like many other herbs, chives respond very well to aeroponic and hydroponic growing methods which is why they are often included in herb kits for grow systems like the AeroGarden.

Sow chive seeds at room temperature (70-75F) in a bright window or under lights using pre-moistened, light potting soil, seed starting mix or mix of perlite and vermiculite. Space seeds 1 inch apart and cover lightly with soil or mix. Pre-moistened peat plugs or Jiffy® pellets also work well, just drop the seed into the pre-drilled holes.

To hasten germination use a a heat mat and propagation dome

Chive seedlings in starter plugs

Harvesting Chives

Chives will flower, growing inflorescences of pink or purple flowers. For culinary purposes, chive flower heads should be cut to promote growth and keep the foliage tender. Once chives flower the chive leaves will begin to lose their flavor, so snip those flowers before they bloom to retain good flavor.

When harvesting chives cut the leaves down, leaving about 2 inches for re-growth. Store what you don’t use immediately in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator – they will retain their crispness/freshness for about 7 days. Or, freeze your excess harvest in a plastic freezer storage bag where they will keep for a year or more.

Chive bulbs have a mild onion-like flavor and can be used in place of shallots or scallions (green onions) in cooking recipes. Chives have a delicate flavor and should always be added last. You can also split a chive bulb and rub the insides around a salad bowl to add flavor, similar to garlic cloves. Or add them raw to cream cheese spreads and salads.

Preserving Chives

Chives do not do well as a dried herb – dried chives don’t retain much flavor. However, if you freeze chives they will retain their color and flavor for quite some time (see above).

Traditional Medicinal Uses for Chives

Traditionally, chives have been used as an appetite stimulant and digestive aid. Chives are high in vitamin C and iron, and contain the highest potency when eaten fresh and raw.

Chives for Pest Control

Many insects are repelled by the fragrance of chives, which acts as a natural pest control agent that is harmless to humans and pets. Grow chives as a deterrent for aphids and mildew, as well.

You may be interested in…

• AeroGarden Herb Growing System
• Herb Kits
• Herb Seeds
• Propagators
• Grow lights
• Heat mats
• Other seed starting supplies

Recommended reading:

Little Herb Gardens

The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs

Burpee Seed Starter: A Guide to Growing Flower, Vegetable, and Herb Seeds Indoors and Outdoors

• alkaloid – a nitrogenous, basic, and often medicinal, plant compound
• allergen – a compound that produces an allergic reaction
• alterative – a compound that alters body metabolism
• analeptic – a restorative
• analgesic – an agent that relieves pain
• anodyne – an agent that relieves pain through reducing nerve excitability
• anthelmintic – a preparation to rid the body of worms
• anthraquinones – a ketonic tricyclic anthracenes with laxative action
• anti- – prefix for terms designating amelioration, relief, or removal
• antiacid – an agent to relieve excess stomach, blood or bowel acidity
• antiasthmatic – an agent to dilate bronchioles or break up mucus
• antibiotic – an agent to inhibit growth of, or destroy, bacteria
• anticarcinogen – an agent to counteract cancer
• anticatarrhal – an agent to counteract mucus formation
• antidepressant – an agent that counteracts mental depression
• anti-diarrheal – an agent to relieve diarrhea
• antiemetic – an agent that relieves stomach sickness and vomiting
• antihyperlipidemic – an agent to reduce arterial plaques
• antilithic – an agent to removes stones; lithotryptic
• antipsychotic – see tranquilizer
• antipyretic – an agent to reduce fever; febrifuge
• antisecretory – an agent that dries the body tissues
• antiseptic – an agent for skin application to destroy bacteria
• antispasmodic – an agent to lessen muscle spasms; spasmolytic
• aperient – a gentle laxative
• aphrodisiac – an agent to awaken sexual desires
• astringent – an agent that coagulates protein
• balsams – resinous mixtures containing cinnamates and benzoates
• beta-carbolines – tricyclic MAO inhibitors, hallucinogens
• bradycardia – a slowed heartbeat
• C-5, C-10 – used to denote number of carbon atoms
• carcinogen – a substance that predisposes cancer development
• carminative – a substance to relieve the body of excess gas
• catalyst – a preparation that makes other remedies more effective
• cathartic – see purgative
• cholagogue – an agent to promote flow of bile into small intestine
• CNS – abbreviation for central nervous system
• depressant, CNS – a compound that reduces mental function
• coumarins – bicyclic, aromatic molecules that antagonize vitamin K
• CV – abbreviation for cardiovascular
• decoction – a boiled extract, used for the preparation of roots
• decongestant – an agent to relieve nasal congestion
• demulcent – a compound that protects abraded tissues
• dextrins – partial hydrolysis products of starch
• diaphoretic – a compound that increases perspiration; sudorific
• diuretic – an agent promoting urination
• dyspepsia – an impairment in digestion
• emetic – an agent to induce vomiting
• emollient – an agent that smooths and protects the skin
• emmenagogue – a preparation that hastens the onset of menses
• euphoriant – an agent to stimulate mental or physical pleasure
• expectorant – preparations used to break up phlegm in lungs
• fatty acids – hydrolysis products of fats
• febrifuge – see antipyretic
• flavonoids – a class of tricyclic molecules
• galactogogue – an agent to increase the flow of milk
• GI – abbreviation for gastro-intestinal
• glyco- – a prefix indicating the attatchment of a sugar to a molecule
• glycosides – sugar esters
• gums – water swellable carbohydrate derivatives
• HCN – hydrogen cyanide, a respiratory poison
• hemolytic – a compound capable of dissolving red blood corpuscles
• hemorragic – a compound that leads to internal bleeding
• hemostatic – a compound that retards bleeding; styptic
• hepatic – an agent used in maintenance of liver function
• hypotensive – an agent to reduce blood pressure
• infusion – a water extract; a tea
• laxative – an aid to solid waste elimination
• lithotriptic – see antilithic
• MAO – monoamine oxidase, a major brain detoxification enzyme
• miotic – a compound that dilates the pupils
• moxybustion – the smoke used in acupuncture
• mucilage – tacky, water-insoluble sugar derivatives
• mydriatic – an agent used to dilate the pupils
• MW – abbreviation for molecular weight
• nervine – an agent that relieves nervousness; mild tranquilizer
• oleoresins – natural mixtures of resins and volatile oils
• oxytocic – an agent to promote uterine contractions during childbirth
• parasiticide – an external or internal agent to destroy parasites
• parasympathomimetic – an agent that excites the parasympathetic nervous system, such as tobacco
• pectins – partially methoxylated uronic acid sugars
• pedicullicide – an agent to control lice
• PMS – premenstrual syndrome
• purgative – a strong laxative and emetic agent
• refrigerant – an agent to cool the body down
• resins – water-insoluble mixtures of resins, their acids, and alcohols
• rubefacient – an agent that brings a blush to the cheeks and increases skin circulation
• saponins – glycosides with a soaplike water suspension
• sedative – mild depressant; somnorific
• sialogogue – an agent that promotes the flow of saliva
• spasmolytic – see antispasmodic
• sp – abbreviation for species (singular)
• spp – abbreviation for species (plural)
• sterols – molecules related to cholesterol and some hormones
• stimulant – an agent to increase body metabolism
• stimulant, CNS – a compound that excites mental function
• stomachic – a preparation for the benefit of the stomach; also a tonic
• sudorific – see diaphoretic
• tachycardia – a raised heart beat rate
• tannins – bitter principles of plants containing plant polyphenols
• terpenes – hydrocarbon volatile oils, often with a strong smell
• tonic – an agent that restores normal tone to the body
• tranquilizer – an agent that reduces phychotic behavior
• vermifuge – see anthelmintic
• vulnerary – an agent to increase the healing of wounds
• waxes – esters of fatty acids with high molecular weight alcohols
• xanthines – CNS stimulants with a purine type structure such as caffeine