Where does that leave the everyday blue collar American?  Lost–no health insurance, incomes dropping, whether through mandatory furlough days or beign cut to part time.  So what do we do?  SPEAK OUT–Write a letter to YOUR congressmen–threaten to not vote for them next elections.  Sadly, since President Obama was elected , it has become the obssession of the Conservatives to destroy him.  They continue to blame for inacitivity, while not taking the responsibility for STOPPING progress.  Democrats leave a state to save  state workers and unions–what happened to a democracy?  For the people and By the people–does it seem like that to you? They are too busy bickering with each other than to take care of American’s!

I live in the St. Pete area, their police force has lost 3 officers in the last month to shootings.  Yet, the governor of  Florida wants them to cut 10.1 million dollars to their programs.  If you average a cop’s pay at $39,000 (it is actually a bit less, a friend is an officer of the law) that is 296 Peace officers off the roads–can we really afford to have less police officers?? In this day and age?

Respectfully, if you are not responding to my actual topic–don’t bother–this is for discsussion!

For a BLACK thumb like myself, I figured this was my last shot at having indoor plants–and I was right! I purchased the basic 7 pod set-up with the Italian Herb seed pod set. My Aerogarden arrived quite timely, and I wasted no time setting it up–and then waiting and waiting–but look!  On the fourth day–I actually had GREEN in my Aerogarden! Here is a quick run down of what to expect if you choose to start gardening the (not kidding) EASY way!

• Set up: Easy–needs about 30 inches (width) and 15 inches (depth) of counter space and 30 – 36 inches of height clearance. Picture instructions make it good for a family project.  Add water, plug in, drop in some nutrient pellets and go!
• Maintenance: Basic–it has lights to tell you when to add the nutrients and to warn you when the water level is low.  The setting for seed types is clear and easy to use. Filling it with water is simple, there is a small flap in the front to put a hose (sink sprayer) into. HOWEVER–if it gets really low, you will make a mess filling it with cups-the hole to put water in is almost verticle.
• Yeild:  In less than 6 weeks, I had 6 very healthy herbs–one pod failed to germinate and I wrote to Aerogarden to request a new one.  I received it in about 4 days from the email. ***FAST CUSTOMER SERVICE!! *** I started using fresh chives, basil and oregano in my sauces.  **They don’t tell you that it takes almost TWICE the amount of an herb to get the same taste-so remember that!**
• Plant Longevity: my herbs did not die out very quickly, the chives were the first to go–mostly because of use.  The mint and basil I transplanted outside-the mint made it, the basil did not.  The lemon basil died in the Aerogarden after about 4 months. Parsley never stopped growing, until I removed it from the hydroponic garden-then; kaplut!
• Product Upkeep: It has been 2 years, and I have not had to buy any replacement parts as yet! I am on my third set of seed pods–doing Salsa now!
• Price:  $200 for the starter kit–$20 for any additional starter kits or seed pod kits (so you can grow your own seed desires), extra lighting, extra arms to make it taller (a conversion kit for the original 7 pod garden is about $125 to create 2 more feet of growing height)
• Electrical impact: not noticeable
• Overall: I would buy it again if I didn’t already have one! (Though I do have my eye on the 3-tiered wall mount and two more Aerogardens!)
• Tips & Tricks:
  ~If you don’t want to get a seed pod kit, buy the blank pods and plant what you want!
  ~If you let the water run out–your plants WILL die!
  ~GREAT project to do with the kids–no dirt to spill and super fast results!
  ~order something you will like for a while, the plants don’t do well outside of the hyrdoponic environment.

GARDEN ON!!

As always–other stories are happily accepted!  Just e-mail them to me at MsMacL4@aol.com

I have some great shortcuts on Pet Care, household tricks, fast meals on a dime, and honest reviews of products I have already spent the money on–learn from my mistakes–and victories! This is the beginning, with suggestions, I want to help everyone save money and time in as many ways possible.

My blog is not paid by anyone, not meant to endorse any product for financial gain.