Step-by-step instructions for the perfect start

Do you still need help setting up your Everleaf Garden? Here are the assembly instructions for you.

Day 1: Starting the Everleaf Garden

Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started with your Everleaf Garden:

After you have successfully set up your Everleaf Garden and placed it in a suitable location , you can finally get started!

Please note that before each use, the power supply plug must first be connected to the Everleaf Garden with the arrows pointing upwards before plugging it into the socket.

Placing plant capsules:

• Place the first 24 plant capsules in the plant containers and place them in the Everleaf Garden. Our placement guide will help you find the right place for each plant .
• 
  Use the planting plan and note the arrangement of the plants to keep track.
• Remove the covers until only the substrate with the seeds remains. If there is one, also the grey cardboard cover. Be careful that no seeds fall out.

Setting up lights and timers:

• The timer is already preset to 16 hours of light (5am-9pm). If you want to adjust the time period, you can find detailed instructions on how to set the timer here .
• After the timer is set, make sure the mode is set to "AUTO".

Fill water and activate the pump:

• Fill the pot halfway with 10 liters of tap water. Push the slide switch below the timer to the left (one drop) to put the pump into germination mode. The pump will then only run once every two days. After 5 minutes, all plant capsules should be moist. After just a few days, the first plants should have germinated.

Now just download the Everleaf calendar here to your phone. Our Everleaf calendar will help you keep track of your tasks so you don't have to worry about your plants.

Day 14: Add fertilizer and adjust pump

If more than 6 plants have not yet germinated, it is best to wait a few days before carrying out the following tasks.

For non-germinated plants:

• 
  Remove plants that have not yet germinated and place them in front of the LED light in a container with a thin film of water. Don't forget to cover the empty plant openings in the Everleaf Garden with a foam lid, otherwise algae will form!
• Make sure that the substrate does not dry out and add water every few days if necessary.

For already germinated plants:

• Disconnect the cover plate from the water pot and place the Everleaf Garden on a towel. The power supply should remain connected and the pump should be set to "OFF".
• Empty the remaining water in the pot and clean the pot with dish soap or hydrogen peroxide.
• Place the cover plate back on the pot and fill it with new tap water up to the "Max" indicator (20 liters).
  
• Add the initial dose of plant food (Plagron Hydro A+B) of 40 ml each to the pot. Use the dosing cup for this. Always shake the fertilizer well before use.
• Dissolve A and B separately in water (first mix 40ml of Hydro A into the water and then mix 40ml of Hydro B into the water).
• Check the pH value of your water with the
  
  pH test kit included. Use the tube we provide to take a sample of the water up to halfway and mix it with 2 drops of the pH measuring liquid. Then compare the color with the scale. The pH value should be between 5 and 6.5 so that the plants can absorb the nutrients optimally. If the pH value is too high, use the pH Minus solution according to the instructions on the bottle. Use the pipette for this. Stir the water well before each measurement.
• Set the pump to the two-drop symbol to activate hourly watering.

Day 14-30: Thinning plants

As soon as the plants develop their first main leaves, it is time to thin them out. It is best to keep the seedlings that are already more developed and at the same time remain short and compact. Leafy vegetables and fruits are usually thinned out to one seedling, while herbs are left with up to three seedlings. You can read how many seedlings should be left per plant here . Cut off the remaining seedlings with clean scissors just above the substrate. But don't throw them away; use these vitamin-rich treasures as a topping for your next dish!

Day 21: Start weekly care routine

To ensure that your plants remain vital and do not suffer from water or nutrient deficiencies, it is advisable to consistently carry out the weekly care routine .

Day 30: Start root care (every two weeks)

To keep the roots from clogging the irrigation system and to keep them healthy, check the roots every two weeks and trim them to around 10cm if necessary, but only trim a maximum of a third of the roots so as not to disrupt plant growth. At first, you'll probably only need to trim the roots of a few plants. However, as the plants grow larger, the root care requirements will increase. Also trim off any dead (brown and black) roots to prevent germs. To ensure the plant fits back into its hole, it's helpful to keep root growth slim and trim any side-growing roots completely.

Day 45: First monthly care routine

The monthly maintenance routine will keep your indoor garden clean and your plants healthy over time. Don't forget to prune the roots as indicated to avoid the roots clogging your Everleaf Garden. You can use the leftover water to water other house plants.

Further care and the first harvest

To ensure that your plants continue to thrive, it is important to understand the specific care requirements of each plant. Pollination plays a particularly crucial role for plants such as tomatoes and peppers. Find out how you can best support this process and which other care tips are relevant for your plants. Just take a look at our plant guide to get the most out of your indoor garden!

Successful restart for a continuous harvest

After a successful harvest, it's time to make room for new plants ! To ensure you always have a supply of fresh vegetables, it's advisable to stock up on supplies in good time:

1. Get fresh plant capsules:
   Make sure you get new plant capsules in time for the next round. Planning is key to continuous vegetable growing.

2. Preparation in container or seed tray:
   First, place the fresh plant capsules in a container or a growing tray in front of the LED strip. Only transfer them to the Everleaf Garden once the first main leaves are clearly visible.

3. Keep an eye on moisture:
   Make sure the substrate never dries out. Regular watering every few days is crucial to ensure optimal conditions for germination.