Hi August,

> ** 26.12.19 - 20:15, Janis Kracht wrote to August Abolins:

>> Today I planted japenese eggplant and bok choy in my aerogarden "indoor
>> farm"; it's insane to me that I can grow vegetables in my living room in
>> the dead of winter 

> I've never heard of the thing(s), yet I see a few utoob videos dated back
> to 2015.  Readily available a a couple of large department stores here
> too.

Yes, I've had one here going for three years I think?  The first one I planted
with Beet Greens just wouldn't stop producing, it was insane.. we kept saying
to each other "it has GOT to die soon!" Lol ... You can cook them like spinach
or eat them uncooked, they are actually better for you than spinach if you can
imagine that 

> In the past, my family quick-started a variety of plants indoors in the
> early spring before planting every year.  Then, we always seemed to have
> enough pickled or preserved food to last the winter months. We kept
> potatoes in a very cool location, fresh or green tomatos in a dark
> location covered with straw, and just picked some out when needed.

Sounds familiar   Every year I also grow fresh veggies in my garden
outdoors... I have an "in-ground" traditional pumpkin patch, & green beans
growing along side our fenced in dog yard (yes, the oinkers love stealing green
beans when they spurt out into their reach Lol).  Then for my tomatoes and some
other plants I have a wooden raised bed kind of like this one,
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/elevated-planter-box-2x4-stained/8596759.html?SC=
XNET0236.. I skip canning. I did it one year, was a LOT of work hehe and
decided freezing works best for me   I have a couple of those raised beds
and grow Italian tomatoes for sauce and regular tomatoes for things like
salads, etc..

> I guess the "appliance" approach with aerogarden speaks to the modern
> urban folk.

It's nice for addicts like me who can't get enough of "growing things" haha I
always look at the price of this or that and say, GEEZ I can grow that for
pennies .  Ok the startup cost for the aerogardens is steep but once you buy
the thing, you can really grow just about anything.

> I don't see why anyone couldn't duplicate the same idea with a few pans,
> soil and lights overhead.  No different than managing houseplants?  But I
> see the benefit of avoiding messy soil, weeds, aphids, and other things
> that could affect the plants with the "natural" method.

You could duplicate an aerogarden easily, and I have in the past.  But it is
much easier this way and with the genetically modified  plants they have
developed to grow _much_ faster than traditional vegetables, you can't lose.

>> Next up, I have two other aerogarden planters where that I'll plant
>> tomatoes/peppers/lettuce.  Silly things thrill me, I guess 

> At least it provides fresh food for you!  Myself, I've become really lazy
> and just buy frozen vegs and microwave them to cook.  I get my spices out
> of a jar.  :)

Hey, there are days when that dang microwave more than earns it's keep :) :)

Take care,
Janis

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