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How much soil should I put in my trays?
You should fill each tray 1/2 to 3/4 full with sterile potting soil. Make sure the soil is well moistened, but not overly
muddy or soupy. See Resources page 25 for some brands we have found to be high quality soils. For seeds with a
shorter life cycle like pea shoots, radishes, wheatgrass (1-2 weeks), 1/2 full is adequate. For seeds with longer life cycles
such as basil, oregano, arugula, etc., go with 3/4 full.
Can I mix in my seeds or cover with dirt?
For the best results for germination, sprinkle them with a fine layer of sifted soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Usual-
ly 1 to 1-1/2 cups of sifted soil works. The finer soil spreads easily and provides a nice blanket over the seeds for germi-
nation so that more seeds sprout and at the same rate.
When should I use plant nutrients?
The cabinet will display total dissolved solids (TDS) of the water in the reservoir. Note what the TDS is when you first fill
the reservoir and try to maintain a TDS of 100-250 above that number. Add 2.75 oz. (80ml) of nutrients at a time, wait
15 minutes to adjust the TDS.
Is the cabinet pre-programmed?
Yes, the cabinet is pre-programmed for the seeds listed on page 15 for soil growing. There are a few empty positions
open in the menu for adding more seeds and you can erase and replace items in the seed menu. You can also desig-
nate your favorite seeds for frequently used cycles. All of the seed programs are adjustable for light and watering
schedules.
How often should I perform maintenance on my cabinet?
The cabinet requires frequent monitoring and care. It should be inspected thoroughly and cleaned at least once a
month. This may vary with your usage, depending on the number and types of plants, nutrients and TDS build-up and
growing medium (soil vs. hydroponic). Please refer to maintenance and cleaning procedures in this manual.
Does the water reservoir keep itself filled?
Yes. If your cabinet has been plumbed and hooked up to municipal water supply, then it is pre-programmed exchange
the water in the reservoir once a week and top off as needed.
What do I do if the reservoir won’t recycle?
Check to ensure that the connection on your city drain is open and free of blockage. If the cabinet is new, it may not be
primed. See instructions in this manual on page 10 for priming the pump.
What do I do if there is a zone that won’t water?
Make sure only one zone is being watered at a time. Only one zone can be watered at one time, so watering schedules
for each zone will be staggered an hour apart, if they are programmed to water at the same time. Check the pro-
grammed schedule to ensure it is not programmed to be OFF. If still no watering, access the reservoir and insure that
the pump is on and primed.
What if I see a weak/no water supply to the drawers during a watering cycle?
It’s likely that the screen over the filter is clogged with debris and needs to be cleaned or the filter needs to be replaced.
See maintenance and cleaning instructions on page 19.
What if the drawers don’t appear to be draining properly?
Check the drain holes at the back of the drawers and clear them if they are blocked. A pipe cleaner is ideal for this
maintenance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & TROUBLESHOOTING
