Thanks so much for stopping by! If you are here, I’m assuming that you attending for my Indoor Garden Prep Workshop. Thanks so much to the AKARAMA Foundation, Inc. for having me!
Here’s the full presentation…
If you would like to view all of the slides, click here.
Here are some useful links…
AeroGarden, Kratky and Gardening Fanatics (Kris’s gardening group). We cover indoor hydroponics, outdoor gardening, and everything related. Join to get your questions answered, get gardening advice on what, how, and when. Get recommendations on which systems to buy, or just share your pretty pics.
The Preservatory – (Kris’s preserving group) – Join here to learn what to do with your indoor and outdoor garden harvests! We cover mostly preserving techniques and recipes including canning, dehydrating, freeze drying, fermenting, and more.
How to Start Outdoor Garden Seeds in your AeroGarden – This is my guide on how to use your AeroGardens or similar hydroponic units to start your outdoor garden seeds. This is a great time and space saver!
YouTube – YouTube is a wealth of gardening info! My page is LittleTechGirl’s Digital Homestead. There are so many other great gardeners! Almost too many to name. I am always finding someone new. Just jump on and search “gardening”, “Chicago gardening”, Zone 6a gardening” or whatever you are curious about.
Some other great channels include The Rusted Garden, Acre Homestead, AeroGarden Experiments, B Betta Garden (Chicago area), and so many more.
The below includes my affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase, I make a small commission. I appreciate the support!
These are just a few highlights. For a full list of all of my affiliate partnerships and discounts please see my Affiliate Links and Promotions page.
Looking for your first hydroponic unit?
Getting your first unit can be intimidating, but it does not have to be. I recommend starting small to see if you like it. But, there are options below for all spaces, confidence levels, and budgets.
AeroGarden – This is the first choice of many. They are the OG of indoor gardening! Their website is currently being revamped and stocked for their spring relaunch, so there are currently slim pickings, but you can still get good deals on some favorite units on the Amazon AeroGarden store.
LetPot – These are great countertop units! I now have 5 – 3 different models. They range from smaller lower end units to the fancy LetPot LPH-Max. Click the below links to purchase…
LetPot LPH-Air – The LetPot Air lets you grow up to 10-pods. The 24W light works great for everything.
LetPot LPH-SE – The LetPot LPH-SE holds up to 12 pods. It also has a 24-w light. Fill it with leafy greens or herbs, or grow a few micro dwarf tomatoes.
LetPot LPH-Max – This is the largest LetPot. You can grow up to 21-pods depending on what you are growing. With a 36-watt light, it has enough power for just about anything you want to grow (within reason).
Also, LetPot has provided me with an awesome coupon code to share with you to get started! Use code LP20LTGOFF to save 20% off all LetPot products. It’s valid March 21-28.
Gardyn – If you want to go bigger, starting with a Gardyn is a great choice. I now have 5 of them! They are beautiful systems that allow you to grow up to 30 plants depending on the model. If you shop through my Gardyn ambassador link, you will automatically save $100!
Lettuce Grow – Lettuce Grow is another fabulous choice if you want to go big! I have 2 Lettuce Grow Farmstands and a Lettuce Grow Nook. They are fabulous units that grow larger plants. The price is not for the faint of heart, but if you are serious about your growing and want to grow a lot of food, these are perfect. You can use it outside without lights, or inside with lights. Shop http://girlte.ch/LettuceGrow. There’s currently a 20% off sale.
Supplies for Your Outdoor Garden
The great thing about gardening is that you can recycle all kinds of containers, pots, etc. and for the most part it works! But, if you are serious about your garden, it benefits you to use some quality containers, soil, fertilizer, and tools from the start! This way you do not have to keep replacing them. And you know for sure that your garden will thrive (of course some things are out of your control).
You also have the choice to go all organic or not. At the very least, invest in some great starter pots. Some people start in peat pots (I am not a fan). I am a huge big fan of Bootstrap Farmer products. These are strong and will outlast me. They can even go in the dishwasher. You cannot say the same of the cheaper supplies.
However, if that is too rich for your blood, just start with some cheaper supplies from Amazon or Walmart.
Soil – you will need to invest in soil over and over again when gardening outdoors. But, put a note on your calendar to check local stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Menards, Lowe’s and other places that sell soil at the end of the season at around Aug – Sept, and again in winter. During this time these stores often put potting mix and garden soil on sale for almost nothing. Over the past few years I have stocked up for $1-5 per bag.
Seed starting materials – If you are just looking to get your feet wet and see if you like it you can start your seeds in recycled materials. Some people have success with red cups. But, if you do this you need to have a tray to sit them in. And you have to drill holes in the bottom for drainage.
Seed Starting Trays – Depending on how many seeds you need to start, you can get smaller trays, or a bulk pack of larger ones. I use the 12-pod trays for starting seeds indoors, but I also use them outdoors sometimes.
12-pod (10-pack) – Start just a few seeds, or use them to start seeds for hydroponics.
40-pod (5-pack) – Great for starting a larger number of seeds at once.
Nursery Pots – Once your seedlings are big enough, you will want to move them to nursery pots under a grow light. If you are not growing that many plants, you can also start in nursery pots. I recommend square pots because they fit nicely in a 1020 tray and do not fall over.
1020 Trays – These make it easy to bottom water your nursery pots, and to move them around when the time comes.
Of course if you are not feeling comfortable starting your own seeds just yet, you can buy seedlings from a local nursery, hardware store, or big box store. There is nothing wrong with that. However, starting from seed is usually more economical and you get a larger variety.
Raised Beds & Planters
GreenStalk Vertical Garden – Vertical planters perfect for patios, decks, balconies, and gardens. Use code LTG10 to save $10 off your order of $75 or more.
Vego Garden – Great selection of raised beds for your garden. Use code LTG10 to save $10 off your order.
Organic Pest Insecticides
BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis) – For worms and caterpillars
Sluggo Plus – For snails, slugs, pill bugs, and more
Neem Oil (100% Cold Pressed) – For a variety of pests. Great addition to an all-in-one mix.
Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew – For a variety of pests.
Feel free to reach out for more information.