As some of you may recall, we tried a new experiment a few weeks ago... Outdoor aeroponics, mounted on the outside of one of our sheds.  We have good news and bad news.  However, the bad news is mostly due to me being too aggressive.

I'll readily admit that I started the experiment too early in the spring.  Additionally, the plants that we used were too young.  No excuses here... I blew it.  The temperature swings have been too severe.  Originally, I'd intended on heating the reservoir; but it never materialized.

Here's a photo from this morning: 

Although most of the strawberries are still alive, they're not in good shape.  They are certainly not as healthy as their indoor brothers.  The indoor plants might go outside eventually.  However, Fort Laramie strawberries are difficult to obtain.  For the moment, I'll be using them for breeding purposes primarily.  Here's a closer view of the sad outdoor strawberries:

Although my personal stupidity has caused the experiment to be... less than satisfying... all is not lost.  We've learned a lot from the experiment thus far.  Here are the observations:

• The unit itself is performing wonderfully.  We have been able to run it for weeks using the smaller ActiveAqua PU550.  We're not losing much water at all.  The return-drain is working very well.
• The nutrient mix has been very stable.
• It's certainly not as convenient as the indoor gardens.  Perhaps it's just me, but I end up spending less time on this unit.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Back to the indoor experiments... Our eggplant in the original DIY aeroponic system has grown qutie massive.  It's got loads of flowers, and one really beautiful eggplant going.  Here's a very close photo, at roughly life-size.  It looks a bit orange, as the HPS lights are very intense.  It's really shiny and very healthy.