AeroGarden 100302-BLK 3 Pod Black Hydroponic Planter Indoor Growing System User Guide

Quick Start Guide Simple Steps
To Get Yourand
Up and Growing
KEEP THIS GUIDE!

AeroGarden 3 Model #s – 100302-BLK; 100302-WHT; 100302-SLR; 100302-BSS; 100302-RED
Input Voltage: 120V, 60Hz, 0.45A

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

(SAVe THeSe InSTrucTIonS)
When using this AeroGarden 3 electrical furnishing, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following: read all instructions before using this AeroGarden furnishing.

1. To reduce the risk of electric shock, the AeroGarden has a specific plug. Do not change the plug in any way.
   DANGER – to reduce risk of electric shock:

2. Always unplug AeroGarden from electrical outlet before cleaning or changing Grow Bulbs (light bulbs).
   WARNING – to reduce risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons:

3. Unplug AeroGarden from outlet before putting on or taking off parts.

4. Close supervision is necessary when AeroGarden is used by or near children, invalids, or disabled persons.

5. Use AeroGarden only for its intended use as described in instructions. Do not use attachments not recommended by manufacturer.

6. Never operate AeroGarden if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped and damaged, or if it has been dropped in water. If any of these conditions occur/exist, contact www.aerogardensupport.com or your country’s local distributor for instructions.

7. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.

8. Never operate furnishing with air openings blocked. Keep air openings free of lint, hair, and the like.

9. Never drop or insert any object into any electrical openings.

10. Do not use outdoors.

11. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.

12. Do not touch moving parts or hot parts such as pumps, bulbs, reflective surfaces, and the like.

13. To disconnect, remove plug from outlet.

14. Do not place or submerse base, cord, plug, or lamp hood in water or other liquid to clean it.

15. Do not allow water to contact hot light bulbs.

16. Use only approved and supplied parts and accessories. Use only lamp model 100340 (N. America) or 200340 (Europe & Australia) Grow Bulbs with this AeroGarden model. Use of any other kind of accessory is not recommended. Replacement parts can be ordered from www.aerogardensupport.com or from your retailer.

17. Do not use AeroGarden for other than intended purpose.

18. This product is intended for household and residential use only. This product is not approved for commercial applications.

19. Read and follow all important notices on the AeroGarden and in the accompanying literature.

20. If supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified technician in order to avoid a hazard.

21. Electrical wiring must be in accordance with local regulations.

22. This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

23. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.

SAvE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Quick Start Assembly (No tools required)

A Unpack Your AeroGarden3   B Insert Lamp Arm into Base

C Insert Grow Bulb into Lamp Hood D Plug Lamp Cord into Lamp Hood
Push Lamp Cord fi rmly into socket in Lamp Hood. E Place Lamp Hood on Lamp Arm

F Set Bowl into Base
Check to be sure that Bowl is securely seated on Air coupling in Base.
G Moving Your AeroGarden3 Need AddITIonAl HelP?
For supplies and information, visit… www.aerogardensupport.com
H Place Your Garden Away From
Reach of children and pets
Direct sources of heat (e.g., stove, furnace vents)
Direct sources of cold air (e.g., window drafts, A/C vents)
For Optimal Tending & Harvesting, Also Consider
Easy access to un-softened water

Planting Your Garden

A Add Water Using a Spouted Container
Use room temperature municipal tap, bottled or purifi ed water. Do not use well or softened water. When additional water is needed, water level indicator will be Red. Add water to raise level up to “Fill To Here” inside Bowl.
It is okay to add water up to “Fill To Here” before water level indicator turns red.
B Plant Your Garden
Plant your AeroGarden.
Check to see that:

• There is a Seed/Plant Pod or Plant Spacer in every Grow Surface opening.
• Seed Pod Labels are facing forward.

Special Seed Kit option
Split a 6-pod Seed Kit and
Grow Two Gardens!
Important guidelines to consider when splitting a 6-pod Seed Kit…

• Arrange Seed Pods where they receive enough light. See Tending & Harvesting Guide for plantspecifi c pruning & harvesting information.
• When planting – Use one Starting Nutrient and save the other one for your second Garden. Store unused nutrient in an airtight bag.
•  All Other Feedings – Use one Growing Nutrient.
• Second Garden – When you have 8 nutrient tablets remaining – 1 Starting Nutrient and 7 Growing Nutrients – it is time to start your second Garden.

C Place Bio-Domes ™ on Seed Pods note: do not remove Bio-Domes until seeds have sprouted. neVer reMoVe SEED POD LABELS.
D Add Starting Nutrient Tablet and Record Planting Date

Record Planting Date
Record the date your Seed/Plant Kit was planted on front cover of the Tending & Harvesting Guide. See “Add Nutrients” (Feed Garden – Basic Feeding) on page 9 of this guide for additional feeding instructions.
*When splitting a 6-pod Seed Kit, be sure to use only 1 nutrient tablet when feeding your Garden (see “Special Seed Kit option” above).

Starting Your Garden

1. What will happen…
   Grow Bulb will come on.
   Look under Lamp Hood to check that bulb is lit.
   If not, check to see if:
   • Grow Bulb is properly inserted in Lamp Hood (page 2, step 1C).
   • Lamp Cord is plugged into Lamp Hood (page 2, step 1D).
   • You are getting power through electrical outlet.

2. Air bubbles should be visible inside Bowl.
   If not, check to see if:
   • Bowl is securely seated on Air Coupling in Base (see page 3, step 1F).
   • Bowl has water up to “Fill To Here.”

B Your Light Timer

1. Your Light Timer is Set To Start Growing Your Plants…Starting now!
2. If You Would Like to Change the Time of Day Your Light Goes On… See Page 8.

• Your light will stay on for 17 hours and will shut off for 7 hours.
• Your light will come on every day at the time you plugged in your AeroGarden 3.

Personalize Your Light Timer (optional)

Your AeroGarden 3 has a built-in light timer that automatically provides your plants with the optimal amount of “sunlight” (17 hours) and “night” (7 hours).
As long as your plants get this amount of light, it does not matter when the light is turned off. Many people fi nd it convenient to have the light go on in the morning and off at night to match their own wake and sleep schedule.
The exceptions to this are Flower & Vegetable plants. They require a daily dark period in order to produce fl owers. If plants will receive any room light during the day (natural or artifi cial) we recommend setting your AeroGarden 3 light to be on during the day.
If you would like to change the time of day your light will go ON…

• Decide what time of day you want light to go ON.
• AT THAT TIME, unplug AeroGarden 3 and plug it back in.

Now, each day, your AeroGarden 3 light will automatically

• Turn on at the time you plugged in your AeroGarden 3
• Remain on for 17 hours
• Turn off for 7 hours

You can reset your timer as often as you want.
In case of power failure, AeroGarden 3 has a backup system that stores nutrient and grow bulb timer settings.
You will need to manually reset the off-on cycle for your light (see above) to return to your previously selected light setting.

Basic Reminders About Your AeroGarden

AeroGarden3 control Panel REMOvE BIO-DOMES
When plants appear through hole in Seed Pod Label, remove Bio-Dome and discard or recycle. note: never remove Seed Pod Labels. Raise lamp Hood (light)
As plants grow to 1-2” from light, raise Lamp Hood one notch at a time. Be sure Lamp Arm is in the lowest position when starting your AeroGarden 3.

1. Unplug AeroGarden 3 and remove Bowl from Base.
2. Hold Lamp Arm with one hand.
3. With other hand, support Lamp Hood and use thumb to push in Locking Button.
4. Release Locking Button while pulling up on Lamp Arm. Locking Button will automatically click into next notch.
5. Replace Bowl on Base and plug in AeroGarden 3.

note: When lowering Lamp Hood, be sure to hold Lamp Arm to avoid crushing plants.

Replace Grow Bulb – order bulbs at www.aerogardensupport.com

When “Replace Bulb” light on control Panel illuminates after 6 months of use…

• Unplug AeroGarden 3 about the time your light comes on.

• Remove old Grow Bulb and carefully discard*.
  IMPORTANT: To avoid burning, be sure Grow Bulb is cool before handling.

• Insert new Grow Bulb into Lamp Hood.

• Plug in AeroGarden 3 and press and hold “Reset” button until “Replace Bulb” light blinks (3 seconds). Release “Reset” button, then press and release again. “Replace Bulb” light will go off and timer is now reset.

Early Grow Bulb Replacement
If you replace Grow Bulb before “Replace Bulb” light illuminates, be sure to restart grow bulb timer as follows:

• Press and hold “Reset” button until “Replace Bulb” light blinks – about 9 seconds.

• Release “Reset” button.

• Quickly press and release “Reset” button. “Replace Bulb” light will blink once and grow bulb timer will be reset.

• Check with local recycling authorities for light bulb recycling availability in your area.

need AddITIonAl HelP?
For supplies and information, visit… www.aerogardensupport.com

Prepare For Your Next Garden

cleaning Instructions for your AeroGarden
Use only water and mild soap when cleaning your AeroGarden (except when Sanitizing – Step 6). Do not use abrasive cleaners or run through the dishwasher.
When your garden has completed its growing cycle…

1. Unplug AeroGarden.

2. Carefully remove Bowl and Grow
   Surface from Base and bring to a sink. Set Base and Lamp Hood aside.
   NEVER SUBMERSE BASE AND CONTROL PANEL IN WATER.

3. Remove Grow Surface from Bowl and place on counter near a sink.
   

4. Empty contents of Bowl in sink.

5. Remove Seed Pods and plants from Grow Surface.
   • Pull Seed Pods out of Grow Surface openings.
   • Throw away Seed Pods and plant debris (plant growth and roots).
   If you compost, plant debris can be composted.

6. Sanitize AeroGarden.
   • Fill Bowl ¾ full with water.
   • Add 1/8 cup (24ml) of chlorine bleach.
   • Let sit for 2 minutes.
   • Using sanitizing water, wipe Grow
   Surface with soft cloth or sponge.
   Scrub underside of Grow Surface with soft scrub brush to remove any tangled roots.
   • Thoroughly rinse Grow Surface with tap water and set aside.
   Gloves recommended.
   • Clean water level indicator Prism (located in Bowl), using a soft cloth.
   – Grasp rubber piece holding Prism in place and gently slide it up and out of Bowl.– Using tap water, wipe off Prism and rinse well.
   – Gently slide Prism back into housing in Bowl.
   • Using remaining sanitizing water, wipe out Bowl, then empty.

7. Rinse Bowl with tap water. Repeat.

8. Towel dry Bowl and Grow Surface before putting them back together and setting them on Base.

9. If Grow Bulb has been in use more than 6 months, it should be replaced at this time (see page 11).
   Your AeroGarden is now ready for replanting.

Replanting Your AeroGarden

If you have already grown a garden in your AeroGarden 3, please follow the instructions below to reset the nutrient timer:

• Press and hold “Reset” button until red “Add Nutrient” light blinks (about 6 seconds).
• Release “Reset” button.
• Quickly press and release “Reset” button. “Add Nutrient” light will blink once and nutrient timer will be reset.
  NOTE: These steps do not reset grow bulb timer.

Remember to…

• Replace Grow Bulb after 6 months of use. Replacement bulbs can be ordered at www.aerogardensupport.com or from your retailer.
• Sanitize AeroGarden 3 before replanting (see page 12).
• Set your Lamp Hood to lowest position when starting a new garden.

! Bundle cord when furnishing is not in use.
Notes…
U.S. CAUTION – You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment. noTe: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna; Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver; Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected; or, Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this furnishing has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet. do not change the plug in any way.
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

© 2007-2008 AeroGrow International, Inc., Boulder, CO U.S.A.
6/27/08 U.S. Patents Pending

References

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