General Vegehome Growing Instructions +
Please consult our Growing Guide
Planting:
Remove the seed pod out of the package and place it into the Vegehome. The required spacing for each plant is specified in section 2 of the growing guide. Until the plants grow to a certain height you can keep them closer together.
Germinating:
Wait for the seeds to germinate and sprout up from the pod. Depending on the type of seed, the surrounding temperature and humidity, the seeds might take a few days or several weeks to germinate.
Thinning:
In order to give your plants enough room to grow, once the first true leaves appear, pick out the largest plant and remove all other plants by pulling them out of the seed pod or cutting them off at the base with small scissors.
(Dill doesn’t need to be thinned, as it can grow very densely)
Pruning:
Some plants need to be cut back regularly. Herbs like cilantro may grow too large for the Vegehome and therefore block off the light for other plants. Make sure to harvest them regularly, so they stay compact and regrow. Fruiting plants like eggplants require pruning to ensure that the plant focuses on the growth of the fruit and not additional branches.
Pollinating:
Some fruiting plants like tomato, eggplant and pepper require pollination in order to develop fruit. You can pollinate the plant by either gently shaking a fully developed flower or insert a Q-tip into the flower and carefully rub it over the stamen and pistil for better results.
Harvest:
Every plant has a specified time until it reaches maturity and needs to be harvested differently. Section 2 of the growing guide specifies when each plant is ready to harvest and how this is done properly.
Water Level:
Keep an eye on the water level and make sure the reservoir is always filed to the indicated mark.
How do I assemble my Vegehome? +
How do I disassemble my Vegehome ? +
How to Clean Your Vegehome? +
Exchanging the water
- The plants growing in the Vegehome will only take up nutrients in a certain ratio depending on which plants you are growing. The remaining nutrients will remain in the water and slowly rise to toxic levels. It is therefore recommended to exchange the water of the Vegehome at least every four months, to ensure your plants stay healthy.
- To drain the Vegehome, simply place the outlet tube of the pump over a drain and turn on the pump (by long pressing the power button until the pump starts). Once the system is empty you can refill it with fresh water and add a new dose of nutrients.
Cleaning and disinfecting
- To ensure your plants keep growing healthy and reduce the risk of plant diseases it is best to keep the Vegehome clean.
- Remove dropped leaves and dead plant matter from the growing area and the water reservoir.
- Whenever you drain the system it is recommended to clean the reservoir with soapy water. To disinfect the system, you can add 60 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide to 8 litres of water to the reservoir and keep the pump running for one hour. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the reservoir with water and wiping it dry after disinfecting and before refilling the system.
Why are the plant's leaves wilting? +
If a plant’s leaves are wilting, drying up and dropping from the plant stem, check if there is enough water left in the reservoir, so that either the seed pod or the plant’s roots are partially submerged in water.
Why are the plant's leaves changing colour? +
Leaves changing colour by turning yellow or pale can be a sign of either disease or nutrient deficiency. Make sure to always add nutrients on time and clean and disinfect the system regularly. If you grow a lot of fruiting vegetables and you’re noticing that their leaves aren’t lush and green you can add an additional dose of nutrients.
Why plants aren’t fruiting? +
If your pepper or eggplant is growing flowers that simply drop instead of turning into fruit, it means they were not pollinated. Just shake the plant slightly to insure pollinisation.
What happens if plants grow too big? +
If your plants grow to the top of the Vegehome they can impair the growth of other plants by shading them from the light. Simply cut off the main stem off the plant around 5 cm below the top of the Vegehome.
Why are my seeds are not germinating? +
Vegehome seed capsules are guaranteed to germinate for 1 year from the date of purchase. If the seed capsules do not germinate one week after the maximum number of days of germination, please send us an e-mail to service@thevegehome.com. It is important for the guarantee to take a photo of the variety that has not germinated and also give us the date of departure, after which we will either reimburse you or replace the capsules.
What do I do if there are insects on plants? +
This is a very rare occurrence but pests may be introduced through nearby plants or as blind passengers. If you discover insects on your plants, simply take out the seed pod with the infested plant and wash it off thoroughly under the tap until your plant is pest-free.
What happens if the plants have fungi? +
If you notice white powdery spots on the plant’s leaves, it might be a sign of Powdery mildew or another type of fungi. This can happen if the environment is too humid and the plants are too bushy therefore its recommended to regularly thin your plants in order to increase air circulation.
What happens if the leaves taste bitter? +
If your harvest of leafy greens is very bitter in taste, they have most likely gone past their optimal time of harvest and have started developing flowers. Discard the flowering plant and make sure to harvest earlier next time before the plant starts bolting. Earlier is better!
Technical Terms +
Pruning:
Snipping off parts of the plant in order to keep it healthy or make the plant focus on the growth of fruit is known as pruning. Most plants don’t require pruning, for those that do you can find a specific description of the process in section 2 of the growing guide.
Thinning:
Thinning is the process of removing the excess of sprouted plants to give the remaining plants enough room to grow. You can pull out plants by hand or cut them with small scissors. You can eat the sprouts you removed as microgreens.
Germination:
Germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed. Seeds only require water for germination, as all the nutrients required for the sprout is contained in the seed. If a seed is too wet or too dry it won’t germinate. Not all seeds are guaranteed to germinate, which is why each seedpod carries several seeds.
Bolting:
Once leafy greens like lettuce or spinach reach a certain age they will grow taller, start developing flowers and eventually seeds. This process is also known as bolting and it will result in the plant developing a very bitter taste.
Can I use my own seeds? +
No, but our team is continuously experimenting with new veggies and herbs to offer you a variety of options. We always love hearing from the Vegehome community; please contact us with your suggestions for new varieties service@thevegehome.com
How to Add Nutrients To Your Vegehome? +
- To feed your plants you will have to add nutrients to the water reservoir. The Vegehome comes with a nutrients pack including nutrient V and nutrient G.
- When you first fill your Vegehome, it is important to follow the instruction manual of each model. You can also download the digital instructions here: https://us.thevegehome.com/documentation/
- If you completely cleaned the water tank, then you should refill and restart your nutrient cycle with the initial dosage.
- Depending on the type and the size of plants you’re growing, their nutrient uptake may vary. If you noticed signs of nutrient deficiency, you could increase the dosage accordingly.
How does the Vegehome light timer work? +
The timer’s working schedule is 14 hours on and 10 hours off. The cycle starts from the beginning every time you plug in your Vegehome. Wait for at least 10 seconds after unplugging your Vegehome to allow it to reset and plug-in to begin a new cycle.We recommend powering the Vegehome in the morning when you wake up, so it follows your lifestyle.
How do I activate my warranty? +
All of our products automatically have a one year warranty from the moment of receiving the product. If any issues occur with your product or plants, just let us know!
What is hydroponic growing? +
Hydroponic growing involves growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution, rather than in soil. Hydroponic plants tend to mature more quickly than plants grown in soil, and are often higher-yielding than conventionally grown plants.
How do plants grow without soil? +
Vegehome’s nutrients provide plants everything they need to grow without soil. Your plants’ roots will be suspended within the Vegehome’s water reservoir, and when you add nutrients to this reservoir, they are taken up by the plant. The Vegehome’s lighting is designed for faster growth, providing a natural and fruitful light cycle throughout the germination process.
What should I buy — the Jardin or the Oasis? +
Whether you should purchase the Vegehome Jardin or the Vegehome Oasis may simply depend on how much space you have for your Vegehome garden. The Jardin is ideal for smaller kitchens: it is 32.5 cm long by 16 cm wide, with a height of 37 cm. The Oasis is 52.2 cm long, 37.5 cm wide, and 79 cm tall, and is stackable, so you can make use of vertical space without needing to take up more room on your countertop.
How much can I grow in each type of garden? +
The Jardin has space for nine planting pods, while The Oasis has space for 28 pods.
How do I set up my Vegehome garden? +
Both the Oasis and the Jardin come with full assembly instructions, and are easy to set up. Click here for instructions on how to set up the Jardin, and here for instructions on how to set up the Oasis.
How long will it take for my plants to grow? +
Most plants grow within 1-2 weeks, but more substantial fruits and veggies can take 3-5 weeks.
How do I maintain my garden? +
Maintaining your Vegehome garden is as simple as ensuring water is filled to the indicated mark, and adding nutrients when your plants need them. Some plants, such as cilantro, may need to be harvested regularly to ensure they don’t block the light for other plants. Make sure to harvest them regularly so they stay compact and regrow. Fruiting plants, like eggplants, also require pruning, to ensure that the plant focuses on growing new fruit, and not additional leaves and branches.
How do I clean my Vegehome? +
There are two ways to clean your Vegehome. First, it is recommended that you change the water of your Vegehome at least every four months to ensure your plants stay healthy. To do so, simply place the outlet tube of the pump over a drain and turn on the pump by holding down the power button until the pump starts. Once the system is empty, you can refill it with fresh water and add a new dose of nutrients.
Second, you will need to occasionally clean and disinfect your Vegehome to ensure plants stay healthy and avoid disease. To do so, remove dropped leaves and dead plant matter from the water reservoir and the growing area regularly. When you drain the system, it is recommended that you clean the reservoir with soapy water, and you can also disinfect it with a hydrogen peroxide solution of approximately 60 mL of hydrogen peroxide in eight litres of water. Add this solution to the reservoir and run your Vegehome’s pump for at least an hour. Afterwards, rinse the reservoir with water, and wipe clean before refilling the system.
How much water should I use? +
Water should be filled to the indicated mark in your Vegehome reservoir.
What do I do if there are pests (insects) on my plants? +
We recommend using only Vegehome pods in your garden to avoid contamination with insects or other pests. In the rare case that there are insects on your plants, simply remove the pod or pods that are infected, rinse the plant under clean water until it is pest-free, and return it to your Vegehome garden.
Will this affect the humidity in my home? +
Your Vegehome garden will not noticeably affect the humidity in your home.
Will my herbs and vegetables taste good? +
Yes! All Vegehome seeds are selected by a team of agronomists for their ability to thrive in a hydroponic environment.
Are food plants grown using hydroponic technology nutritious? +
The short answer: yes, all fruits and vegetables contain vital vitamins and nutrients. Your Vegehome plants will provide you with delicious, nutritious food year-round! Hydroponic plants don’t have access to the nutrients found in soil that conventionally grown plants do, which is why it’s vital to ensure you provide your plants with Vegehome nutrients as needed.
What plants should I grow? +
If you like to eat it, you should grow it! All of our plants can be regularly incorporated into your daily meals. If you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration, check out our recipes — all developed to use Vegehome plants.
How do I start new plants? +
To start new plants, your Vegehome’s water reservoir will need to be filled. Then, simply place the pre-seeded Vegehome pod into your Jardin or Oasis garden, according to the required spacing for each plant as specified in section 2 of the growing guide. Feed with nutrients according to the schedule above.
Can I grow my own seeds in the Vegehome? +
While it is possible to grow your own seeds in the Vegehome, we recommend using our pods, as they have been selected for optimal growth in your hydroponic garden.
Can I plant Vegehome plants outside? +
Yes! Once your seeds have germinated, and your plants have matured, they can be transplanted to your home garden. They will continue to grow outside, and you can then add new pods to your indoor Vegehome garden.
How often should I water my plants? +
The water reservoir on your Vegehome should always be filled to the recommended level so that either the seed pod or the plant’s roots are partially submerged. There is no need to water your plants, as you would water conventionally grown plants.
My plants are wilting and/or changing colour. What should I do? +
If your plant leaves are wilting, ensure there is enough water left in the reservoir to partially submerge your plant’s roots. Leaves changing colour can be a sign of either disease or nutrient deficiency. You may need to disinfect your system, or add an additional dose of nutrients in the case of an abundance of fruiting plants whose leaves are becoming discoloured.
My seeds aren’t germinating/my plants aren’t fruiting. What should I do? +
If a plant produces flowers but does not fruit, it was not pollinated. Shaking the plant gently should help ensure pollination. Germination with Vegehome seeds is guaranteed; please contact us if your seeds do not germinate, and we will replace your pods.
How much does a Jardin smart garden affects an electric bill? +
The JARDIN consumes 21w and is on 14 hours a day. We estimate that the total kWh consumption in a year would be around 90 kWh, which would cost 0.06$ per KW in Quebec for a total of 5.40$ or 0.45$ a month.
In short, it does not affect an electricity bill.
How often should I check the water level? +
Once the plants grow (more roots), please check at least twice a week. With our new model – Jardin Pro, you can simply monitor the water level by observing the position of the floater.
What is the light life expectancy for Jardin or Oasis? +
The sunlight module is on 14 hours a day and has a 35,000-50,000-hr life expectancy. As such, it should not be replaced before 7 to 10 years.
How much does the JARDIN and OASIS holds of water? +
Oasis – 8 Liters
Jardin – 1.8 Liters
Jardin Pro – 3 Liters
Growing guidance: most frequent questions +
All herbs require no maintenance, except to harvest less than 2/3 at a time. The more you take the more will grow.
For the swiss rainbow chard, you can harvest as a whole or simply take the leaves one by one. (they should grow back 2 times)
For the pepper and tomato, once the plant has grown to about 25CM, you should snip the main core. When you see flowers, you should gently shake the plant to pollinate.
Why is there mold on my pods? +
The little mold is harmless and creates naturally because of the humidity on the peat moss. This will not interfere with the growth of your baby plants! Just a reminder, that once you have germination, to select the stronger baby and discard the others. (see thinning process in growing guide)
What sort of water to use? +
Any standard tap water is sufficient.
What if electricity goes off? +
If the electricity were to turn off, it would reset the cycle. This would actually be the way to change the cycle if you wanted to adapt it. (unplugging the power adapter and re plugging it)
How does the pump works? (On the Oasis) +
The pump runs every 30 minutes for a few seconds to oxygenate the roots of your plants. This is automatic. The drainage function is to be used only a few times a year if you want to clean your water basket. It is activated by a long press on the button and deactivated by pressing on the button again.
Can I grow kale, tomatoes, red hot peppers… in the Jardin smart garden, even if it is smaller than the Oasis? +
Yes, but it will take up most of your Jardin space.
How long can we keep the unused pods? +
Seed pods last up to a year in a cool and dry environment
The best cool and dry places are:
- Vegetable boxes of refrigerators.
- Larders.
- Wine cellars.
- Cupboards.
Are the plants organic and GMO free? +
Yes absolutely. All of the seeds we use for plants are non-GMO and open-pollinated.
How does the Vegehome lighting timer work? +
The Vegehome timer ensures that the light is on for 14 hours and off for 10 hours. The cycle restarts every time you plug in your Vegehome.
Why do I need to cover all the holes? +
Covering the holes will prevent algae growth. Algae growth occurs when the light comes in contact with the nutrient-rich solution in your water tank. Although completely harmless, algae could prevent your plants from growing properly by consuming nutrients. If you find algae in your water tank, It is important to clean your water tank.
Why is there green stain in my container? +
The green stains are actually algae. This is created because you did not cover all the holes. Light comes in contact with the nutrient-rich solution in your water tank and creates algae growth. Although completely harmless, algae could prevent your plants from growing properly by consuming nutrients. It is important to clean your water tank to get rid of green stain, and start again with a fully covered growing-plate.
