AeroGarden Farm 12 Operator's manual

Simple Steps to Get Your AeroGarden Farm Up and Growing
Keep this Guide!
AeroGarden Farm 12 Model Number: 100022 - BLK / WHT Electrical Rating: 120V, 60Hz, 0.56A
AeroGarden Farm 12 XL Model Number: 100023- BLK / WHT Electrical Rating: 120V, 60Hz, 0.56A
Quick Planting Guide
Farm 12 | Farm 12 XL
Welcome to the World of In-Home Gardening!

When using this AeroGarden electrical furnishing, basic precautions should always be followed,
including the following:
Read all instructions before using this AeroGarden furnishing. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
1. To reduce the risk of electric shock, the AeroGarden Farm has a specific plug.
Do not change the plug in any way.
DANGER – to reduce risk of electric shock:
2. Always unplug the AeroGarden Farm from electrical outlet before cleaning.
WARNING – to reduce risk of burns, fire,
electric shock, or injury to persons:
3. Unplug AeroGarden Farm from outlet before putting on or taking o parts.
4. Use AeroGarden Farm only for its intended use as described in the instructions. Do not use attachments not
recommended by manufacturer.
5. 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 customer
service.
6. Keep cord away from heated surfaces.
7. Never operate furnishing with air openings blocked. Keep air openings free of lint, hair, and the like.
8. Never drop or insert any object into any electrical openings.
9. Do not use outdoors.
10. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.
11. Do not touch moving parts or hot parts such as pumps, lights, reflective surfaces, and the like.
12. To disconnect, remove plug from outlet.
13. Do not place or submerge base, cord, plug, or Light Hood in water or other liquid to clean it.
14. Do not allow water to contact hot LED Grow Lights.
15. Use only approved and supplied parts and accessories. Use only AeroGarden LED Grow Lights with this AeroGarden
model. Use of any other kind of accessory is not recommended.
16. Do not use AeroGarden for other than intended purpose.
17. This product is intended for household and residential use only. This product is not approved for commercial
applications.
18. If supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified technician
in order to avoid a hazard.
19. Electrical wiring must be in accordance with local regulations.
20. 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.
21. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the appliance.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the 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 o 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. —Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. —Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. The device has been evaluated to meet general RF exposure requirement.
This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator & your body. This device complies with Industry Canada’s license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et; (2) l’utilisateur de
l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.
AeroGarden Farm 12 Model Number: 100022 - BLK / WHT
AeroGarden Farm 12 XL Model Number: 100023- BLK / WHT
AeroGrow International, Inc.,
P.O. Box 18450, Boulder, CO 80308-1450

3AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
When using this AeroGarden electrical furnishing, basic precautions should always be followed,
including the following:
Read all instructions before using this AeroGarden furnishing. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS Welcome!
Your AeroGarden Farm is a 12-Pod
Indoor Garden that will grow large
regular harvests of fresh and safe
produce all year long.
Download the Free AeroGarden App
by searching for ‘AeroGarden’ in
your mobile App store.

4AeroGarden.com
Plant Your Garden in 3 Easy Steps
Quick
Plant
Planting Your Garden in 3 Steps
Touch the Quick Plant option on the
control panel for step-by-step planting
instructions.
Quick Plant is the fastest and easiest
path to starting a new garden. The
pre-set Quick Plant option provides
optimal growth based on the plant type
you select. Follow the easy instructions
on-screen. More detail is provided on the
following pages.

5AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
step 1 Add Water
• Add water to “ Max Fill ” indicator located under the Water Port.
• Use cool water and fill to the indicator. Most tap water works great.
If you have hard or softened water at home, using a 50/50 mix of
distilled and tap water may give you better results.
• The 'Low Water' reminder alert will appear on the control panel
when the water level is too low. For best results, keep the water level
topped up to “Max Fill” at all times.
Fill with water to
“Max Fill” Indicator
Add 2 gallons water (7.6 Liters)
A spouted container is recommended for pouring
step 2 Add Plant Food
• Plant Food instructions are printed on the packaging, as well as in the Seed
Pod Kit Instructions booklet. Read and follow the instructions carefully!
• Use only the recommended amount of Liquid Plant Food.
• Add Plant Food directly into Bowl when first planting your Seed Pod Kit,
and when the ‘Add Plant Food’ reminder activates (every 2 weeks).
• Do not overfeed! More isn’t better. Too much plant food can harm
your plants.
Plant Food Feeding Tip: Always top o water level when adding Liquid
Plant Food. For best results, top o the water level in your garden regularly.
Read and follow Seed Pod Kit Instructions booklet carefully!
Add Plant Food directly into Bowl
using the water ports
Water Port

6AeroGarden.com
step 3 Add Seed Pods &
Grow Domes
• Insert Seed Pods into openings in Grow Deck.
• Seed Pod Labels often identify plant height to assist with
placement. Look for height noted on Labels.
• Plants grow best and look best if medium or tall plants are
in back openings, and short plants are in front openings
(see diagram).
•
Seed Pod Kits for Tomatoes and Peppers often include both
Seed Pods and Plant Spacers. Plant Spacers allow your
Tomato/Pepper plants ample room to grow. The correct
amount of seeded pods are provided to maximize harvests.
• Do not remove Labels from Seed Pods. The Labels identify
the plant type and plant height, show the germination time,
and inhibit algae growth.
• Place a Grow Dome over each Seed Pod.
• Grow Domes rest on Seed Pods and may not ‘snap’ into place.
Also, it is not necessary for Grow Domes to cover
Plant Spacers in your AeroGarden.
• Leave Grow Domes on the Seed Pods until plants
have sprouted and their leaves nearly touch the domes.
• Once removed, Grow Domes may be reused/recycled.
Congratulations!
You’re on your way to a beautiful garden.
Removing
Grow Domes
Place Grow Domes
Insert a Seed Pod or Plant Spacer into every opening in Grow Deck
When plants sprout through hole
in Seed Pod Labels, and are almost
touching Grow Domes, remove
domes and reuse or recycle.
♻♳
Tall or Medium
Medium or Short
Grow Deck (Top view)
Seed Pod Label
Use height labeled on Seed Pod to
decide placement in Grow Deck
Water Port
Back
Front
Seed Pod Plant Spacer

7AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
Control Panel
Touch Screen
The AeroGarden Farm’s touch screen
control panel makes it easy for anyone
to grow indoors. Beginners get step-by-
step instructions on the planting process
and tips to improve gardening skills. It
also allows advanced users to customize
every aspect of their garden, expanding
the possibilities of what can be grown
indoors.

8AeroGarden.com
8:14 AM
CLOCK:
Set your AeroGarden Farm’s clock to your
local time.
WI-FI:
The Wi-Fi icon allows you to access the Wi-Fi
setting of your AeroGarden Farm, as well
as connect your AeroGarden Farm to your
AeroGarden App.
LIGHT:
The Light icon shows the current time, as well
as when your light is scheduled to turn On and
O each day.
WATER:
The Water icon reminds you when it is time
to add water, and when pressed also displays
the current pump setting and test pump
feature.
On/Off
LIGHT ON/OFF:
Temporarily turns lights On or O. Your
lights will automatically go back to their
programmed settings at the start of the next
On/O cycle.
PLANT FOOD:
The Plant Food icon shows how many days
are left until it is time to add Plant Food.
LIGHT UP/DOWN:
The up and down arrows next to your light icon
allows you to raise and lower your grow lights.
Keep your lights 4-6 inches above your plants
for better results.
Quick
Plant
QUICK PLANT:
Press the Quick Plant button to start a new
garden, and follow the simple step by step
instructions to set up all garden functions.
Drain:
Press to perform a rinse and refill.
More
Options
MORE OPTIONS:
The More Options button gives you access
to a wide variety of garden functions,
as detailed next.
Control Panel Settings

9AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
}Clock – Use this to set your clock to the current time
(initially set during Quick Plant).
}Light – Use this if you want to change the times your LED
Grow Light will turn On and O, to customize the number of
hours your Grow Light turns On per day, and to access the
Dimming and Sunrise/Sunset features of your AeroGarden.
}Plant Food – Allows you to customize or reset your Plant
Food reminders. The Plant Food alert is preset to activate
every 14 days to remind you to add Plant Food, but can be
changed if your plants have other Plant Food requirements.
This is not necessary in normal use.
}Pump – Allows you to customize or reset your pump settings
and also test the pump.
}Quick Plant – With just a few touches, Quick Plant helps
you select the settings you need for the type of plants you
are growing. Use this for the fastest and easiest path to
planting a new garden.
}Wi-Fi – Connect your AeroGarden Farm to your preferred
network and control your garden remotely on any device
using the AeroGarden App.
}Contact Us – Provides phone and email contact
information for customer service.
}Help & Tips – Use this for easy access to helpful gardening
tips and customer support information.
}Reset Defaults – Returns key garden functions to original
factory default settings.
}Vacation Mode – Use this to turn Vacation Mode On
or O. Switching to Vacation Mode shortens your Light
On period, which cuts about in half the amount of water
your garden will use. While it also reduces overall yields,
many people also like it for a day-to-day low maintenance
gardening.
}Garden Status – All your current settings (Lights, Pump,
etc.) can be viewed in Garden Status.
}Set Audio Alerts – Audio Alerts can audibly remind you
when it is time to add water and Plant Food. You can also
turn Audio Alerts On or O, and set start/stop times here.
}Drain Garden– In a few easy steps, drain your garden to
perform a rinse and refill. Your plants will thank you.

10 AeroGarden.com
Using The Farm12 Trellis System
This Trellis System will support your large plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, by guiding the plants upward
as they grow. Once your plants reach a height where they would benefit from extra support, attach the Trellis
System to the Metal Frame of your AeroGarden Farm as pictured. The Trellis can be repositioned as plants grow.
How to Assemble the
Trellis System
Attach the magnetic hooks of the
large Trellis cords to the Front side
of each of the posts of the metal
frames of your AeroGarden Farm.
Pinching the clips at the ends of the
small Trellis cords, attach them to
the long Trellis cords at any desired
intervals.
A A
A
DATE
FRACTIONAL
APPLICATION
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
SOLIDWORKS Educational Product. For Instructional Use Only.

11AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
Gardening Tips For Maximum Harvests
planting
}Many Seed Pod labels identify plant height. Gardens grow
and look their best when tall plants are planted in the back,
medium plants along the sides, and short plants in front. If
plants are all the same size, like Salad Greens, they can be
planted anywhere.
}Do not remove Labels from Seed Pods. The labels identify the
plant type and plant height, show the germination time, and
inhibit algae growth.
}Grow Domes help regulate moisture and temperature for
optimal germination. Leave them on until plants are nearly
touching the domes.
}Seed Pod Kits for large plants like Tomatoes and Peppers
often receive fewer than 12 pods to compensate for the large
plant size. Place Seed Pods in each back/side opening and in
the center front opening. Put Plant Spacers in the remaining
openings.
germination
}Some seeds germinate in under 24 hours. Some take 24 days
or more. Most labels give an estimate of how long your seeds
will take to germinate but many factors impact germination.
}As a rule, if you are comfortable, so are your plants. Plants
are impacted by temperature. Cold weather plants, like Salad
Greens, germinate better in cooler weather. Heat lovers,
like Tomatoes and Peppers, will germinate faster in warmer
temperatures (above 70 degrees F). But don’t sweat it! While
they may take a bit more time, your seeds will germinate.
}If you are growing your own seeds, plant 5-6 seeds per
pod and check the seed packet for information regarding
temperature and days to germination.

12 AeroGarden.com
pruning
}Not pruning is the number one mistake made by new
AeroGardeners! Prune early and often and enjoy the small
harvests!
}Pruning the plant just above a new leaf set (Diagram
A) will ensure that slow-growing and low-growing
plants in your garden get all the light they need to
flourish.
}Prune often to maintain a healthy garden, but never
take more than 1/3 of each individual plant at a time.
}Plants compete for light. Left untended, more
aggressive growers can actually block enough light to
suppress growth of their slower growing neighbors,
and eventually they can die o due to lack of light.
Spreading leaves must be trimmed (Diagram B) to
make sure that slow growers get enough light to
thrive and produce big yields.
}Finally, pruning = harvesting. Each time you prune
you get to enjoy fresh herbs in a salad, sandwich or
even pizza. Also, a full, bushy garden looks much
better than one giant, spindly plant surrounded
by straggly, light starved neighbors. Pruning also
releases a wonderful scent. So prune!
Too High
Cut Here
Starter
Leaves
Diagram A Diagram B

13AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
water
}While the AeroGarden Farm’s control panel will remind you
when water gets low, best results are achieved by topping o
water regularly.
}Plants grown in the AeroGarden Farm are designed to thrive
with most municipal tap water.
}Use of well water is not recommend, as most well water
contains a high amount of dissolved solids that upset the
balance of your Plant Food. This can result in plants suddenly
browning, or just not growing well.
}Do not use softened water as it contains too much sodium and
will usually harm your plants.
}Do not fill Bowl past “Max Fill” indicator.
}Test your pump by clicking on the water icon of your Farms
left or right home page. Then click on “Pump Settings” and
then “Test Pump”.
lights
}Plants love light! Keep your Grow Lights 4-6 inches above
your plants for better results.
}You do not need to replace your LED lights unless individual
diodes start to fail. Diodes typically have a 3-5 year life span.
liquid plant food
}Typically, your plants will need Plant Food every 2 weeks.
}Follow instructions for feeding amounts printed on the Plant
Food packaging.
}Add Plant Food directly into the Bowl through the Water Port.
}Plant Food requirements may change as plants grow.
See Plant Food packaging for details.
}More isn’t better. Resist the temptation to add “just a little
extra.” Too much Plant Food can hurt your plants.
}For best results, try a “Rinse and Refill” once a month when
it’s time to add Plant Food. Use the ‘Drain your Garden’ option
from your ‘More Options’ or ‘Water’ menus.
Add Plant Food
directly into Bowl
Water Port

14 AeroGarden.com
pollinating
Because most people don’t have bees in their home, you will
need to start pollinating your fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers,
strawberries, etc) once they begin to flower (approximately
4 – 6 weeks after planting). To pollinate, use one or more of the
following methods:
}Place an open hand inside plant branches and gently move
your hand back and forth to shake the plant and spread the
pollen.
}Place a fan near your plants and the moving air will pollinate
your plants.
}Use our “Be the Bee Pollinator” to spread the pollen. “Be the
Bee Pollinators” are available at AeroGarden.com.
harvesting
}Many first-time growers are hesitant to harvest. Don’t be!
Most gardens will produce more, for a longer period, with
frequent harvests. You almost can’t begin to harvest (prune)
early enough.
}AeroGardens work best with a harvesting method called
“cut and come again.” Simply put, you enjoy frequent small
harvests and then watch as the plants rapidly regrow - ready
for harvest again and again.
}Enjoy frequent, smaller harvests for the first month or two
until plants mature and larger harvests are available.
}Harvest often to maintain a healthy garden, but never take
more than 1/3 of each individual plant at a time.
}For Salad Greens, cut the top 2 inches o the entire garden,
or harvest large leaves individually by cutting o at the base
of the plant.
drain your garden
}Before you start, make sure to have a separate container to
hold the emptied water.
}To access the ‘Drain Your Garden’ procedure, press the Icon
from your Home or Water setting page. You can also access it
from the ‘More Options’ button, select ‘More +’, then click on
‘Drain Garden’.
}Follow the instructions on your Touch Screen.

15AeroGarden Farm Planting Guide
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.
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.
DO NOT SUBMERGE HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY
Do not immerse cord in water or other liquid, and unplug cord from outlet when not in use.
User Maintenance:
Any servicing is to be performed by an authorized service representative.
Use original packaging for storage when the appliance is not used.
Disconnect power before servicing or replacing lights. Use only AeroGarden LED light replacement.
CAUTION!
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
POUR ÉVITER UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE, PRÉSENTER LA LAME LARGE À LA FENTE LARGE ET POUSSER JUSQU’AU FOND.

WHAT IS COVERED – This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, with the exceptions stated below.
HOW LONG COVERAGE LASTS – This warranty runs for one (1) year on this AeroGarden and LED Grow Lights, from the date of original purchase, for the
original purchaser/user.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED – The warranty shall not apply to problems arising from: normal wear; failure to adhere to enclosed operating instructions; serial
numbered products if the serial number has been removed or defaced; products subject to negligence, accident, improper use, maintenance or storage; products
damaged by circumstances beyond AeroGrow International Inc.’s control; loss or damage to removable parts; or products modified (including, but not limited to,
modifications through the use of unauthorized parts or attachments) or repaired by anyone other than AeroGrow International, Inc., or its designee. This warranty
excludes all incidental or consequential damages.
WHAT AEROGROW WILL DO – AeroGrow International, Inc., at its option, will repair any defects in materials or workmanship or will replace these products
with ones of similar features and price. AeroGrow International, Inc.’s sole obligation and your exclusive remedy under this warranty shall be limited to such repair
or replacement.
TO RETURN THIS PRODUCT – If you have questions or concerns regarding your AeroGarden, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-476-9669.
Please do not return any product without contacting AeroGrow for return authorization. Unauthorized returns, as well as C.O.D. shipments, will be refused.
For more information regarding returns, please see the Returns section at www.AeroGarden.com
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may dier slightly from the product described herein. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other legal rights that vary from state to state.
LIMITED WARRANTY
AeroGrow International, Inc., P.O. Box 18450, Boulder, CO 80308-1450
We also have an active Facebook Community that loves to answer questions at
facebook.com/aerogarden. “Like” us for special oers and community fun!
©2020 AeroGrow International, Inc. 062920 AA
Made in China
For more detailed information about growing in your AeroGarden, please visit: www.aerogardensupport.com
1-800-476-9669 USA | 1-800-611-9058 - CANADA
www.aerogarden.com/contact-support
NEED SUPPLIES, ACCESSORIES OR INFORMATION? Call: 1-800-476-9669 or Visit Our Website: www.AeroGarden.com