green is universal

By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com

I'm living the dream. Finally, after 20 plus years of living in Manhattan, I have an organic vegetable garden. Granted it lives on my kitchen countertop but it is a very real, very Green, very abundant garden.

Let me introduce you to my AeroGarden -- a present from my dear husband this Christmas. This revolutionary product is based on hydroponic gardening -- a soil less, high nutrient process that is considered by some to be the most productive way to grow all varieties of plants, for maximum yield, flavor and vitamin content. In fact, AeroGarden claims to be proven by NASA to be the highest yielding plant growth technology on the planet with nearly 50% faster growth then soil plants grown under the same conditions.

So far it has been a very user friendly, brown thumb proof, extremely low maintenance science experiment. The hydroponic concept is quite brilliant as plant roots suspend in the air in an high oxygen, rainforest-like environment. The plants thrive with ample oxygen that stimulates root growth helping them absorb nutrients faster. Just mix the pre-packaged nutrients in with the water and they feed directly to the root system several times a day.

Hydroponic gardening also offers environmental benefits. The process uses less water than soil gardening and constantly recycles and reuses the nutrients. Since hydroponic gardening systems do not require soil, topsoil erosion isn't even an issue.

However (and you knew there was a big BUT coming), now I know what it is like to have my own personal sun beaming down on me. The unit has 2 full daylight spectrum, energy-efficient grow lights that shine so brightly you'd think you had the Arc of the Covenant in your home. The system runs the grow lights for 16 hours on and 8 hours off so be sure to time it right for when you plan to sleep. The first few nights the lights were still on after I went to bed, and I found my REM sleep self lured toward the light in a creepy Close Encounters of the Third Kind kinda way.
And yet it works. I have herbs galore after just a few weeks. Basil and chives and dill, oh my! Next are cherry tomatoes, strawberries and mesclun lettuces. Just wish I could grow them all at once. I wonder how many of these units I can fit on my counter? Maybe if I move the coffee maker and the toaster oven into storage I can make enough room...

Mary Beth Gonzalez
iVillage.com
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