02/10/2019
This is my first winter of growing my Juice Plus Tower Garden under a grow light system. I would like to share my winter tower story.
Why?
Well...the towers have changed my way of eating and my perception of health.... I love my tower.... and I get a huge sense of satisfaction in knowing that I can take back control of the quality of the fresh produce I am eating and feeding not only my family, but my guests if they choose. I personally have not had much positive experience with garden box growing which I have tried in my back yard. But with the tower it is so easy to grow successfully.... I never realized how exciting that daily access to watching your own plants grow and produce can be even for an adult its amazing....imagine the impact it would have on your children.
I know exactly what I am eating and it has increased my desire to eat any and all of the leafy greens that I can grow on the towers. Feedback from families with towers show that this is the case with young families as well. The children love to watch their food grow and are more apt to pick it right off the tower.
I can seed and grow this tower with so little effort and maintenance. As long as I top up the water and liquid nutrition this is a delightful way to garden all year round.
If I have to be away from home for a few days to a week I leave the tower with fresh supply at the maximum level and don't have to worry about it.... the tower literally looks after itself.
However, during extreme heat events I would have someone check on the tower and top up the water once in a week's absence. I know that the plants will be fine in that time away.
My winter tower has been growing since December 2018. I started with micro greens seedlings late in November. The tomato slips I took off my summer tomato plants and rooted to put into the winter tower. I don't expect the tomatoes to blossom until the sun regains strength in March and April but I will have tomatoes by May 2019 on my inside tower.
Under the grow light system (also on a timer) the plants are all flourishing, but fruit bearers need sunlight as well to blossom. A combination of the the grow light system on the tower and the location by the patio doors may bring on the tomatoes earlier then I think....I will keep you posted.
I have greens and fruit smoothies daily and this tower is now supplying all my kale and my swiss chard for the smoothies. In the summer I was getting a greater variety of greens for smoothies and salads.
It is great to have a supply of romaine lettuce and fresh basil all winter. I could have put in more variety, but I wanted to be sure I had enough supply for smoothies...being my first winter grow... I am still learning.
I have 2 such towers and grow them outside all summer. One tower on the lower deck supplies my guests at the Suite with seasonal fresh produce off the vine and one is for myself on the upper deck. I can and do grow a variety of plants during the summer months, broccoli, swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, kale, water cress, oregano, basil, chives, thyme, sage, snow peas, beans, tomatoes, any vine or above ground grower can be grown on these towers. Lavendar and other flowering plants can be grown as well making them just a pleasure to have on your deck or in your home under lights. Root vegetables cannot be grown on the tower.
The 20 gallon reservoir holds water ( I de-chlorinate tap water, my choice), with liquid mineral solutions I add myself (I know exactly what is being fed to my plants) and a pump to push the water up for a drip down feed (aeroponics) over the roots of the plants. The pump has a timer to allow setting a watering schedule that accommodates day vs night feeding or weather changes.
My towers both have extensions that allow 8 extra plants per tower. A basic starter tower grows 20 plants. I can grow 28 plants on each tower and now Juice plus offers a micro greens extension to put on the top of your basic starter tower.
The start up tower kits have everything you need to set up and start your own garden including organic seeds, seeding tray and instructions, pump and timer comes with the kit as well the liquid mineral feed and a test kit to test the pH of your water. All this costs $617.00 with the ability to make monthly payments with no interest charged.
The growing extensions, the tomato cage, the wheel base and the grow light systems are all extras you can add. This tower changes the way you feel not only about growing your own fresh produce & gives you more control over your own health by helping you to eat clean and the desire to eat the flavourful fresh greens and fruits in constant supply as long as you wish to maintain them.
If you have any questions about the growing system feel free to message me.
