The device described in this manual is the Farmstand, a hydroponic growing system designed for cultivating plants indoors or outdoors. It allows users to grow a variety of plants, including herbs, leafy greens, and vegetables, with minimal soil and continuous water and nutrient supply. The Farmstand is an initiative of "the farm project" and is designed for ease of assembly, use, and maintenance, promoting sustainable home gardening.
Function Description
The Farmstand functions as a self-contained hydroponic system. It consists of a water tank, a water pump, growing levels (modules), a water diffuser, and a lid. The water pump circulates nutrient-rich water from the tank up through the center pipe to the top of the Farmstand, where it is then diffused and flows down through each growing level, nourishing the plants housed in reusable grow cups. This continuous circulation ensures that plants receive a consistent supply of water and nutrients. For indoor growing, optional Glow Rings provide artificial light, mimicking natural sunlight to support plant growth. The system is designed to be modular, allowing users to add more growing levels (up to a maximum of 6, accommodating 36 plants) to expand their growing capacity.
Usage Features
- Placement: The Farmstand can be placed in a sunny outdoor spot, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. For indoor use, it requires 14 hours of light per day, typically provided by Glow Rings. Indoor Farmstands should be placed on a mat to prevent water drips from plants from reaching the floor. It needs continuous power and weekly water refills, occupying a 2'x2' level space for easy access to plants.
- Assembly: The manual provides detailed steps for assembling the Farmstand. This includes attaching the pump fitting, pipes, and coupler fitting to the water pump, placing the pump inside the tank, and running the electrical cord through a designated opening. Growing levels are stacked and twisted to lock into place, with seedling port holes at the bottom. The water diffuser and lid are placed on top.
- Glow Rings Assembly (for indoor growing): For Farmstands with Glow Rings, specific instructions are provided. This involves unplugging an existing Farmstand (if applicable), removing certain components, and then attaching the Glow Rings to the modules. Dual-cabled Glow Rings connect to rings above and below, while a single-cabled Glow Ring is used at the top. The power supply cord for the Glow Rings is threaded through the fill port gasket, ensuring slack for proper connection. It's crucial to ensure tight connections to prevent water damage and ensure light longevity.
- Timer Setup: The Farmstand uses timers to regulate water cycles and, for indoor setups with Glow Rings, light cycles.
- Water Cycle Timer: Users set the current time on the dial and adjust prongs to match their growing conditions (e.g., Hot >95F, Warm 60F-95F, Cold <60F, Indoor). The timer dictates when the pump runs.
- Glow Rings Timer: For indoor growing, a separate timer controls the Glow Rings. Recommended light-on (day) and light-off (night) durations vary based on the number of Glow Rings (e.g., 2-4 Glow Rings: 14 HR ON/10 HR OFF; 5 Glow Rings: 15 HR ON/9 HR OFF; 6 Glow Rings: 17 HR ON/7 HR OFF). It's important to sync both timers to the same current time.
- Adding Water & Nutrients: After assembly, the tank is filled with water (using a garden hose or watering can) up to the bottom of the tank opening. Specific amounts of Nutrient A and Nutrient B (4 scoops each, using a 1 Tbsp scoop) are added and stirred thoroughly. This is the initial dosage; weekly maintenance dosages are found on nutrient bags or in the app.
- Adjusting pH: The water's pH level is crucial for nutrient absorption. Users fill a test bottle with 5 mL of tank water, add 5 drops of pH test solution, and match the color to a chart. The ideal pH range is 5.5-6. If the pH is too high, 1 scoop of pH Down (using a 1 tsp scoop) is added to the tank and stirred. Re-testing is recommended after the pump runs for a few minutes. The pump should be running when mixing nutrients and pH Down to aid dissolution.
- Planting Seedlings: Seedlings are placed in separate grow cups, which are then inserted into the Farmstand's ports. Recommendations for placement (e.g., large veggies at the bottom) are provided on seedling packages. The grow medium should be pushed down into the cup.
- Harvesting:
- Cut and Come Again (Partial Harvest): For herbs and leafy greens, users can harvest outer, older leaves first, leaving younger, inner leaves to mature.
- Full Plant Harvest: For lettuces and cabbage, harvesting the full plant is recommended to prevent pests and keep the Farmstand clean. This involves pulling out the grow cup, removing roots, and reusing the cup for new seedlings.
- Mobile App Integration: The Lettuce Grow App is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, offering setup videos and growing guidance.
Maintenance Features
- Weekly Maintenance: This includes checking and adjusting the water level, adding nutrients, testing and adjusting the pH of the water, and planting new seedlings in available ports.
- Emptying the Farmstand: To reset between seasons or fix pH issues, the Farmstand can be emptied. This involves unplugging the timer, removing the lid and water diffuser, screwing a garden hose into the hose coupler (which attaches to the inner pipe), plugging the timer back in and setting it to ON (to run the pump), and then switching it back to TIMER once empty. The Farmstand should not be moved when full.
- Quarterly Maintenance (Reset): Every 3-4 months, a deep cleaning (reset) is recommended. This involves harvesting all plants, disassembling the Farmstand, removing old plant debris, and washing components in a mild solution of dish soap and warm water. The pump should also be checked for debris buildup and cleaned with a high-pressure hose if possible. A video tutorial for resetting is available online.
- Troubleshooting: The manual notes that discoloration due to nutrient and algae buildup on the grow medium is normal and not harmful. Yellowing and dying off of cotyledon leaves (first leaves) as the plant matures is also normal. For gasket replacements or other help, users are directed to the Lettuce Grow contact page.
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