Customer Reviews

AeroGarden 9419-00Z Garden Starter Tray Refill Pack

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm amazed. I received my shipment from the Sprout House in just a few days.

I normally order directly from AeroGrow but this item has been out of stock for a while. Since I really needed to have them now in order to get seedlings started for this growing season, I was forced to order them from another dealer. The shipping charge was very reasonable and my seeds are now in these sponges happily sprouting.

(Also, if you save the plastic cones from the AeroGarden seed packs (after they have finished producing) this is the same size sponge that they use in the cones. You can use your own seeds.)

I have 3 7-pod aerogardens and wanted these to start 'clippings' from my herb plants. These sponges arrived in good shape and in great time, however, they are longer than the plastic 'pod casing' as well as thinner. I place the plastic pod in the garden, add the grow sponge and it tips over to one side while sticking up from the floor of the garden almost 3/4". (So, I thought if I wet them first they might expand to fit the plastic pod casing correctly, but that didn't do anything other than make a wet, soppy mess). I had to cut it with scissors and use the cut piece to cut even more and fit around the pod casing to steady it upright. Had to be careful, also, so the smaller 'stuffing' pieces don't fall through the plastic pod openings into the water below. The small indentation in the top center for placement of seeds/clippings is almost a waste of time: had to slit that deeper also just to accommodate a few seeds. I didn't dare attempt an actual 'clipping' because it would never fit without breaking the stem. What a mess. Had they been cheaper, I would trash them. And with this extra work and mess, they should be less expensive! Three stars mostly for Amazon's prompt delivery, but as far as the product is concerned, maybe 1/2 star.

Finally, a replacement grow sponge that works. These sponges come in packs of 70, and are exactly the right size for replacing those highly overpriced seed pods for my AeroGarden 6 Elite. And as a bonus, the seller threw in a free package of those all so important nute tabs! Don't throw away your used seed pods; simply recycle the little plastic cone-shaped baskets by inserting a new grow sponge. Tuck your own seed into the little "dimple" at the top of the sponge, push it into the plastic cone and you're good to go. For clones, split the sponge halfway down with a razor and tuck the bottom of your shoot securely into the sponge before pushing it into your cone. Proceed as you normally would for growing stuff in your AeroGarden 6 Elite. For some reason the AeroGarden catalog only sells the short fat replacement sponges that go with their older model gardens, such as AeroGarden 7. (AeroGarden is a fabulous product, but they charge nearly TWENTY DOLLARS (!) for six seed pods??---Please!)

Product worked great with my AeroGarden it was a little cheaper getting it from Amazon than the AeroGarden website. I would recommend it.

These sponges work great, but they have been out of stock for weeks. My husband built a coldframe for me and I wanted to get lettuce growing, so I decided to try using a substitute. I already have a product called Baby Blanket that I buy from the sproutpeople for sprouting very small seeds. I cut long lengths the depth of the plugs, then rolled the material until it was the size of the plug (sorry, it's all done and I didn't measure - maybe 5 or 6 cm)long. I did that on Friday and Monday most of the lettuce seed is green and growing.

This was WAY more work than using the plugs I buy on Amazon, but it worked so far.

I was so happy to find this refill pak since I have been starting my seeds since February and ran out. The starts are so easy to grow and transplant with these little pods. It even comes with packets of nutrient for each refill which is fantastic!

So easy, no mess, almost 100% germination of flowers and vegetables. Transplant plugs into Jiffy potts with little fuss when plants are about 4" tall with little handling and no damage to the plant. My greenhouse is getting crowded with all the plants this year getting ready for the ground and containers. 4 Stars due to cost of the plugs and compay not keeping in stock. Plugs are $0.25 a plant and I waited 2 months for the company to get these shipped to me.

These were too long and narrow to fit the regular Aerogarden seed cups. However, by cutting about 1/3 off the end and adding it together as a shim next to the remaining 2/3, I was able to get them to fit snugly and well.

I added two of these to my Aerogarden that was growing herbs, along with the 5 mature herb plants. Both (sweet basil and cinnamon basil, from third party sourced seeds) germinated within two days, and have started nicely.

The modified sponges have been securely in place for almost a week, and the seedlings are growing straight. I expect that, when the roots grow long, the roots will hold the sponges well, and I have no worries that they will start to slip once the plant is heavier.

While I was initially disappointed that these were not designed for the regular-sized pods, this is a simple work-around and a good price for sponges that are designed not to clog the Aerogrow mechanism.

I'm sure these are good for their intended use, but they don't seem to fully fill the used pods like some people said. Like other reviewers I am just going to cut the lower part off and use them. I'm a little unsure how to rate this item since I am no using it for the intended purpose.
I have included a picture.

Work great for their purpose, but you can make it yourself. You could get the same thing by just cutting up some sponges and it is essentially the same thing. I haven't tried that though. And you would not want to use commercial sponges if you are going to eat the plants.