How to Set the On Or Off Time

The AeroGarden is pre-programmed to optimize the hours of light that your plants need, and is adjusted to match the Seed Kit you are growing when you set the Select button. While the total number of hours that the lights are on during every 24 hours is preset, the time of day that it comes on (OR the time it goes off) can be chosen and set by you.

You can set the AeroGarden to start (OR end, but not both) its 24-hour cycle when you want, by following one of the procedures below:

On the AeroGarden Mini and AeroGarden 3::

• To set the time it comes on, plug it in at the time of day you want it to come on, and from then on it will start its cycle at that time of day.
• To set the time it goes off, count backward by 17 hours and plug it in at that  time of day. Since the AeroGarden 3 is on for 17 hours, this will assure that it goes off at the hour you want.

On the AeroGarden Classic, Deluxe and Pro Series (7-Pod):

• To set the time it comes on, decide what time of day you want the lights to come on, and at that time of day, follow this procedure: make sure the lights are on. If they are off, quickly press and release the lights button so they are on. (Lights must be on to reset the timer.) With lights on, press and hold the “Lights” button until the light next to the plant type you selected starts blinking – about 5 seconds - and continue holding it down until it starts blinking faster. Release the button. The AeroGarden's lights will temporarily shut off, and in a few seconds come back on. The AeroGarden is now set to come on at this time every day.
• To set the time it goes off, decide what time of the day you want the lights to go off. At that time of day check that the lights are on. If they are off, quickly press and release the Lights button to turn them on. Now press and hold the Lights button until the light next to the Select button starts blinking (about 5 seconds). Release the button as soon as it starts blinking. When it quits blinking, the lights will go off, and the AeroGarden is now set to go off at this time every day.
• If you have a Pro Series AeroGarden and wish to override the programming of the lights and Pump, you may do so by the following procedure: Purchase an outlet timer (the kind used to turn your room lamps on in the evening when you go on vacation), available at most hardware stores. Plug your AeroGarden into it. Set your AeroGarden to the Super Grow cycle by moving the plant Select button to the Strawberries or Live Plants setting, and then pressing and holding the button until the light next to the plant selection starts blinking. When it starts blinking, release it. The lights and pump are now set to be on for 24 hours a day. Set the wall timer to go on and off when you want following the wall timer instructions.

• To set the time it comes on, decide what time of day you want the lights to come on, and at that time of day, follow this procedure: make sure the lights are on. If they are off, quickly press and release the lights button so they are on. (Lights must be on to reset the timer.) With lights on, press and hold the “Lights” button until the light next to the plant type you selected starts blinking – about 5 seconds - and continue holding it down until it starts blinking faster. Release the button. The AeroGarden's lights will temporarily shut off, and in a few seconds come back on. The AeroGarden is now set to come on at this time every day.
• If you wish to override the programming of the lights, you need to have an AeroGarden with a 24-hour light cycle, and you will need to purchase a wall-outlet timer (the kind used to turn your room lamps on in the evening when you go on vacation), available at most hardware stores. Set your AeroGarden to the 24-hour light cycle, plug your AeroGarden into the wall outlet timer, and Set the wall timer to go on and off when you want following the wall timer instructions.

 
Depending on which model AeroGarden you have and which Seed Kit you are growing, the AeroGarden lights (and Pump, on the 7-Pod gardens) will run for differing lengths of time. To see a chart of the Timing of the Light and Pump Cycles, click here. (Note that the Pump timings only apply to 7-Pod AeroGardens. 3-Pod and 6-Pod AeroGardens have an airstone instead of a Pump.)

If you own an AeroGarden 3, you will be unable to override the preset programming.

Be aware that if you choose to override the AeroGarden's programming you will void your Seed Kit warranty, as our Seed Kits are designed to work best with the pre-programmed settings.

Also please note that if you have a brand new AeroGarden and have just set it up, the timing of the very first cycle may not match the times listed on the chart. This is because all AeroGardens are tested at the factory prior to shipping, and are usually interrupted before their first cycle is completed. Within 24 hours all AeroGardens should behave as described on the Timing of Lights and Pump chart.