Top 10 Mistakes When Growing Microgreens & How to Avoid them

John from www.growingyour... visits City Hydro in Baltimore Maryland to share with you the top 10 mistakes you can make when growing microgreens and how to avoid them. You will learn from Larry, an expert Microgreens grower on how to grow microgreens successfully every single time in your home or for business.
In this episode, you will learn everything about microgreens you need to know to grow them without any problems. You will learn about how to avoid mold, what it looks like, how to water, how to grow the right microgreens, and much, much more.
You will learn from one of oldest microgreens farmers in the USA who has grown thousands of trays of microgreens in his indoor farm that is inside his house in Baltimore, Maryland.
You will discover how microgreens can be grown year round - no matter where you live indoors by controlling the proper temperature and humidity.
You will learn how to properly seed your microgreens in a tray so you don't get root rot or dampening off disease and have to deal with pythium fungus.
You will discover how by using the right growing medium you will have an easy time of growing microgreens successfully
You will learn why using a FOOD SAFE plastic tray is important when growing microgreens and much, much more.
Jump to the following parts of the Episode:
03:10 How has it been since I made the video?
03:45 Microgreens are the easiest Food to Grow
04:17 Mistake #1: MOLD How to Prevent it.
05:30 Humidity and Mold
06:18 What does mold look like on microgreens
07:10 Mistake #2: Root Rot - How to Avoid / Spreading Seeds Properly
08:38 Underseeding vs Overseeding a tray
09:19 Mistake #3: Confusing Root Hairs with Mold
10:17 What Root Hairs Look Like
10:44 How can you determine if you have mold or not?
11:40 Where does the mold appear?
12:10 What colors are mold?
12:46 If we eat the mold is it bad?
13:05 How to deal with mold
14:23 Mistake #4: Fruit Flies and Insects
15:05 How to get rid of fruit flies in the Grow Room
16:26 How to deal with fungus gnats when growing microgreens
17:17 Mistake #5: Watering too much or too little
17:30 How to Water from the top when in Germination
18:14 How to Water from the bottom after germination
19:15 How would you control water if using soil?
20:24 Your Finger is a Dipstick
20:36 Mistake #6: Keep a proper temperature and humidity
21:00 Proper Temperature and humidity
21:56 Running a dehumidifier and Air conditioner
22:57 Best Place to grow microgreens in the country
23:09 Mistake #7: Using the Wrong Growing Medium (soil/hemp/coir)
25:52 Some Grow Pads are Not Vegan
27:06 What can happen if you grow in coconut coir?
28:04 Problems with coconut coir
28:35 Mistake #8: Use the Right Seeds
29:50 Don't use Treated Seeds
30:41 Don't Use Cheap Sunflower Seeds
31:53 Mistake #9: Growing in Non-Food Safe Plastics
33:49 What is the problem of growing in non-food safe plastic?
34:45 Microgreen Trays that you only have to buy one that will last forever
35:12 Mistake #10: Grow the RIGHT Microgreens
36:50 The Easiest 3 microgreens to grow
37:20 Don't grow the wrong types of microgreens
37:45 What kind of pea microgreens should you grow?
39:13 Final Comments and Tips for Growing Microgreens
40:00 There is always a way
40:30 How to learn to grow microgreens from an Expert
41:47 The most nutritious food in the entire world
43:12 Buy a GYG Tee Shirt to Help me make more videos
After watching this episode, you will learn how to avoid the biggest mistakes you can make when growing microgreens.
Referenced Episodes:
How to Grow Microgreens and Make $100,000 a Year
• How to Grow Microgreen...
How to Best Eat Microgreens for Health Benefit
• How to Best Eat Microg...
Watch all GrowingYourGreens Videos at:
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Subscribe to GrowingYourGreens for more videos:
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Follow John on Instagram at:
/ growingyourgreens
Talk to John for 5 minutes:
www.fiverr.com...
Buy Seeds John Grew at
growingyourgree...
Buy a GYG Tee Shirt at
www.compassion-...
Buy My Healthy Eating Cookbook at
www.gygbook.com/
Watch Larry on KZbin
/ @larryhountz_city-hydro
Learn More about City Hydro at:
www.city-hydro...
Follow City Hydro on Facebook
/ farmercityhydro
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[@growingyourgreens]

Jump to the following parts of the Episode: 03:10 How has it been since I made the video? 03:45 Microgreens are the easiest Food to Grow 04:17 Mistake #1: MOLD How to Prevent it. 05:30 Humidity and Mold 06:18 What does mold look like on microgreens 07:10 Mistake #2: Root Rot - How to Avoid / Spreading Seeds Properly 08:38 Underseeding vs Overseeding a tray 09:19 Mistake #3: Confusing Root Hairs with Mold 10:17 What Root Hairs Look Like 10:44 How can you determine if you have mold or not? 11:40 Where does the mold appear? 12:10 What colors are mold? 12:46 If we eat the mold is it bad? 13:05 How to deal with mold 14:23 Mistake #4: Fruit Flies and Insects 15:05 How to get rid of fruit flies in the Grow Room 16:26 How to deal with fungus gnats when growing microgreens 17:17 Mistake #5: Watering too much or too little 17:30 How to Water from the top when in Germination 18:14 How to Water from the bottom after germination 19:15 How would you control water if using soil? 20:24 Your Finger is a Dipstick 20:36 Mistake #6: Keep a proper temperature and humidity 21:00 Proper Temperature and humidity 21:56 Running a dehumidifier and Air conditioner 22:57 Best Place to grow microgreens in the country 23:09 Mistake #7: Using the Wrong Growing Medium (soil/hemp/coir) 25:52 Some Grow Pads are Not Vegan 27:06 What can happen if you grow in coconut coir? 28:04 Problems with coconut coir 28:35 Mistake #8: Use the Right Seeds 29:50 Don't use Treated Seeds 30:41 Don't Use Cheap Sunflower Seeds 31:53 Mistake #9: Growing in Non-Food Safe Plastics 33:49 What is the problem of growing in non-food safe plastic? 34:45 Microgreen Trays that you only have to buy one that will last forever 35:12 Mistake #10: Grow the RIGHT Microgreens 36:50 The Easiest 3 microgreens to grow 37:20 Don't grow the wrong types of microgreens 37:45 What kind of pea microgreens should you grow? 39:13 Final Comments and Tips for Growing Microgreens 40:00 There is always a way 40:30 How to learn to grow microgreens from an Expert 41:47 The most nutritious food in the entire world 43:12 Buy a GYG Tee Shirt to Help me make more videos

[@ezyliving5334]

Great video. My issue is I live overseas, and the cost of shipping your growing pads is cost prohibitive. What is our next best option?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

@@ezyliving5334 what country do you live in?

[@180lifechange5]

Where do you buy his pads from

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

USA

[@tanis1111]

So cool of you to break that video down! Wow, you are very kind 😀✌️🌱🤣😁🎃❤️🦋

[@MrDanrn999]

Thank you, for making this video.

[@SheRNB]

Thank you so so much for this video I was wondering why some of the plants were growing mold. Thank you so much 💓

[@estanford826]

You guys are great! Thanks !

[@bcl3341]

I turned my life around because of this method. Larry nailed it by saying never give up and have fun!

[@tybrady1935]

My basement is around 70 year round, awesome! I’m so looking forward to starting to grow microgreens!

[@cindybroadus3277]

Larry you ROCK! You are so dedicated and professional, wish I would have watched this first👍🏻

[@marklortie4681]

Thank you great advice

[@karenreaves3650]

Thank you for addressing my concerns about the right trays seeds growing pads. Wow.

[@KimberlyBarkdoll]

After years of watching your channel...you still give the BEST content. You really have it down, pinned times for reference if I need to come back to a video(which I do!!!) and really pertinent details in the content. Thank you so much! I know if I search for something and your video comes up it is a sure bet for great answers and education.

[@ColbiGodlove]

im on day 8 after seeding in soil made locally, peas are over 8 inches long and looking amazing! 2 days ago my inverted tray ontop for blackout was flush, then yesterday it was like 3 inches gap so i uncovered, today they are massive! im looking forward to trying these mats and comparing when i can spend 160 for the mats lol

[@MrDanrn999]

Thank you

[@edwardkoch7048]

Thank you for posting. My humidity is close to 80, so I need to get it below 50. Thanks again, go team micro green!

[@Alcom6]

Hey great vid. What are you growing the seeds on?? The pads" What are they? How can I get them?

[@moosesnWoop]

Love this channel - greetings from South Africa!

[@growingyourgreens]

Watch the original most-watched episode on Growing Microgreens (over 700,000 views now!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nICcgmWYo7apgtE

[@arabspring5218]

Gosh I had no idea about so many of these things! Thank you so much for these videos. Thank you John and Larry for helping me start this hobby on the right foot, I feel so well informed now and I am going to use every tip you have given me to only produce the best that I can. I appreciate this very much.

[@cgt6497]

No wonder Larry's business is so successful! It's rare to find businessmen with such integrity! It's clear that he prides himself on quality micro greens. They don't just look healthy; they are grown to BE healthy.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Thank you for the kind words...

[@deregudeta6187]

Humble men God bless you

[@Mooshnick]

FANTASTIC!!!...I am grateful for this wisdom John and Larry. You guys are the best!

[@janisjoplin6959]

I CANT THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND SOUL!!!

[@st8kout961]

That was an excellent tip, spraying the tiny white hairs; if they jump back, it's root hair. I put a layer of arugula microgreen seeds over a bed of coconut coir, and covered it with foil for a few days (as directed elsewhere). Every single tiny sprout had white hairs on it, and the spray test shows it's root hairs. -Watering from the bottom also makes a lot of sense for mold prevention. I started watering all my trays that way, pouring water in from the four corners and middle sides of the trays. -Gnat control. I tried growing different plants in an AquaGarden, and was soon overrun by gnats. I picked up some bright yellow sticky pest strips off Amazon, and it worked wonders. The bugs are attracted to the color. It didn't take long for the strips to be covered with gnats. About the only downside is that the sticky stuff is hard to wash off if it comes into contact with anything, (fingers, tabletop, planters, etc). Have to wonder about not using fans. His only reason was because it could blow mold onto nearby trays, but for those of us growing them only for ourselves, it still seems like the right thing to do. Everything I read says plants NEED air circulation.

[@GGTanguera]

It all depends on the climate zone

[@krismckee5089]

grew up right on the Baltimore city/ county line.just moved the the Eastern Shore earlier in the year, planted my first batch up micro greens on Tuesday..Lets get it!

[@mellimel1174]

Plant Producedd , cool. Which part of Baltimore?

[@arvindthakore6065]

Very nice presentation, very honest farmer, who is smilling and sharing his knowledge.

[@jeffreyaltenburg4610]

great show I started Growing Micro Greens Indoor and its great !some times they turn watery and sour don't know what causes this yet, but most are looking great .

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Feel free to send me some pictures to trouble shoot your issues, [e-mail]

[@mayaamay4615]

Perfect! thank you!

[@marjiehyland4194]

Thank you so much!! I'm a total beginner, but after your video I feel like I know something and I can do this. Awesome!!

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Please email us if you have any questions [e-mail]

[@Quadraticus314]

Excellent information, and fun to watch, congratulation! I am impressed with knowledge about plastics, it is rare for micro-greens growers to know about additives in plastics and leaching from plastics. ABS is never just ABS ... additives are most of the time small compounds not polymers and they leak after standing in various fluids, under light, maybe some heat. Passion and knowledge!

[@nochemzcleanlife3285]

Excellent Presentation, much Love

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Thank you

[@vidhyadharann5518]

Thank you for information all about microgreen production. In Chennai, India I have started microgreen business and reached as supplier to many hotels and restaurants. Vidhyadhran,

[@saracowgill2144]

I invested today in some starting supplies. Thanks grow greens guy.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Sara thank you for your support please feel free to email me any questions you might have [e-mail]

[@tanyapineda7212]

Brilliant 💚 amazing segment, thank you!!!

[@marytaylor9782]

This is Great information! I have been growing my own micro greens from your kit Larry....and find that they are So Nutrient dense my produce bill has dropped dramatically. Just a small amount of micro greens plus my home grown tomatoes and a watercress plus dandelion leaves I grow and I don't need more veggies.( I was spending A lot on Organic Veg) I find growing them Easy! Quick! The tip about not planting dense...I just experienced! But the odd thing the upper growth was beautiful....so I just cut it higher up....tasted good! Thanks for this tip.( I have been experimenting) I plant Daikon radish with Purple Kohrabi, kale..then another pad with broccoli....yummmm the combination is colorful and beyond Earth on Hass Avocados! Think I could live indefinitely on this combo over Basmati or wild rice. Every time I start a new tray it surprises me....those seeds over night coming to life and how Fast they grow! I never get over the Miracle! I actually start eating a few by day 3.Thank You for this gift to people! Feels So Good! First winter didn't get sick at all and that was with the Flu hitting town!

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Thank you for your kind words and support

[@suehohla3857]

Thanks for the help 🙂😜 trying to grow some for home use I made some these mistakes

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

You are welcome please feel free to email me [e-mail] if you have any questions.

[@johnpick8336]

Thank you guys !

[@chafester4886]

Thanks to both of you. This video was great! God bless you both!

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

You are welcome, John did and awesome job detailing our operation.

[@private7419]

John, thank you for this video. It’s very good and helpful. Lots of good pointers. I especially like what you said about the quality of the trays for planting. I notice that Ann Wigmore uses black trays for planting their wheat grass and micro greens. Do they have concerns about the plastic and transference of chemicals from the trays to the plants to the people eating the micro greens?

[@xavierm1018]

Do the Food Safe FDA Certification, is a label that you can pay for it?

[@city-hydropuremicrogreenst1701]

Our tray manufacturer paid for the certification

[@bldroflight]

A very helpful video, thank you so much.

[@Musicismylove888]

Thank you for this highly informative and important information. I just started sprouting and your information is going to help understand growing micro greens. 😀

[@poshantantra8746]

Are the coir pads reusable ? Or are they one time use ?

[@city-hydropuremicrogreenst1701]

One time use for sanitation reasons

[@shirleyk623]

Great video. Very helpful. My first tray I noticed yesterday some spots of mold on the surface. My seeds were too close and I sprayed from the top. The sprouts were between 2" and 4" tall. I cut them off, rinsed them and put them in a mason jar in the refrigerator. I wish I would have seen this video first. I could have used the hydrogen peroxide. The tray is outside in the sun. Are they salvageable? Thanks for a great video😄

[@scotta7164]

Thank you john and Larry for sharing the excellent tips in this video. You two are awesome.

[@eduardoarroco6375]

How can I buy the seeds, pads and planting trays from you? I’d love to try growing peas microgreens the right per your recommendation on the video.

[@johnfarmakis8518]

Looking forward to spending a few days in Baltimore when Larry opens back up after covid. I want to learn first hand and do it his way.

[@setfreemiss]

Watch the "On the Grow" walk through videos on different microgreens with Mandy and CJ. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYTCi6CraqpqjLs This is the first one I watched several months ago and have been growing ever since. Great walk through tutorials!

[@marysilva2693]

Great video! Great information! Thank you...

[@lavenderblossomish9341]

Larry is the type of real good man we do need in entire food industry.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Thank you for the kind words...

[@PineIslandSeeds]

The mold problem was a big issue...I was never successful with microgreens because of this. Thanks for this information!

[@blairbushproject]

pipgal humidity humidity humidity

[@augustt8282]

@@blairbushproject He said we shouldn't use fans because it will spread mold in other trays , do you think dehumidifiers will work then?

[@jahmallajaima]

blairbushproject well makes it hard to grow in Hawaii where not only is it humid but very damp because it rains alot

[@georgewashington8934]

What medium are you using? Tree gum?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

coconut fiber

[@georgewashington8934]

@@LarryHountz_City-Hydro Thank you.

[@KandMe1]

Wow larry is a gem ad so eager to share all of that. People like you guys are really cool,the world needs more of you.

[@juanitanoble3190]

Our house (upstairs) is being kept at 62° during the heating season due to energy costs. Temp will go over 90 in summer as we have no AC. I'm thinking hardy greens should do ok in the cool months, but should I just stick to the outdoor, in-ground veggie garden in the summer/early fall?

[@AJ-bz3vs]

Cool video. I live in western Washington state, out in the sticks. The house has a wood oven, which keeps the living room toasty, but the bedrooms get pretty Chillie Willie in the wintertime (like now). We have a spare bedroom that I'd like to grow microgreens in, but I've been concerned that it would be to cold, and I don't want to run an electric heater in there all the time. But it sounds like colder temperatures shouldn't be a problem, right? I hear y'all say that 68-72F is ideal, but also heard y'all say that there is no heating in that room during winter, and the temp might be 30-40ish, but the micro's won't freeze. Yes yes?

[@mackjoe3978]

Thanks guys, great interview!

[@roughcookie8]

Thanks for the ideas

[@nephtalishous]

Where does Larry sell his coco fiber pads?

[@GGTanguera]

Wal-Mart

[@JBGecko13yt]

Loved the guidance. great notes in the description

[@DoodleBugLisa]

I’m using my Pyrex pans to get started, but I think I may buy pads from Larry and boil them between uses, since I’m only growing for myself.

[@pancabisa]

awesome . top 10 mistakes .. thanks for sharing sir

[@mickeymorgan]

Thank you for your good work and useful advice.

[@mammothenterprises2921]

Great episode, the only issue I saw was the recommendation to just get started using the unsafe trays at the end. As John said it Larry was shaking his head no.

[@gregkisinger4183]

I normally agree with what John says, but I don't think that people should start growing in growing trays that are substandard. It is not difficult to find food safe growing trays on the internet and they really aren't terribly expensive. I'd say, make sure you start off with the right stuff.

[@officialgardengeeks]

Thank you guys for sharing. I love you guys for what you're doing. Keep fighting the good fight!

[@diplod5000]

I get black mold at the bottom of my substrate in the tray with hole.. Any help ? I keep humidity low, I dont water hard, sterilize trays with H202. Its getting very discouraging. Cant get a single crop without black mold.

[@sabinasuresh]

Thanks for this

[@nancylourose]

Question about the hydrogen peroxide --- do you use it right from the bottle or dilute it more?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

We use 3% hydrogen peroxide from McKesson at full strength, t www.amazon.com/-Bottle/dp/B076CRRC68/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524052039&sr=8-9&keywords=hydrogen+peroxide

[@timmangan1734]

love the videos - I understand safe water regiment - timmer the plumber - would love to travel to your urban farm to learn more. I live in the Twin Cities Minnesota.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Please feel free to email me for more info [e-mail]

[@Mrbeansadog]

Best video ever! Thank You

[@1shakasean]

Thank you both

[@robinlillian9471]

How to prevent damp off: water seedlings with cold chamomile tea. No sugar, of course. It works beautifully.

[@Dhhtyu4566]

Robin Lillian what is damp off ?

[@TracyR4]

Thanks so much for sharing John, and Larry I am wanting to start growing microgreens for my family while we wait out the winter.. I am definitely excited to get started. Hopefully some day I can afford to travel to learn from Larry. Until then I can learn from him on KZbin. )

[@thebestofbelltowneasthampt6679]

Larry, I have another question for you. What is the distance between the bottom of your LED light tubes and the top of the trays and did you find this makes a big difference in how fast the greens grow if much farther than that? Thanks much!

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

10in from the bottom of the top shelf to the top of the bottom shelf Yes it made a huge difference

[@lll-w3w]

So are the pads infinitely reusable? Why does he have replacement ones on his site?

[@city-hydropuremicrogreenst1701]

Pads are not reusable for sanitation reasons

[@michellepalmer5283]

Where do you buy the growing bins from?

[@gregkisinger4183]

Larry- I have read where there are basically 7 types of plastics-and they are numbered and some of these are not certified food safe. I think that plastic#5 is probably the best. Are your green bins rated #5? And thank you for the information that you give about all these aspects of growing.

[@city-hydropuremicrogreenst1701]

Yes, our trays are FDA certified food-safe #5 please feel free to email me if you have any questions

[@richstone2627]

Great video. Thanks John and thank you Larry for sharing your knowledge.

[@TheBronzeSage]

"In germination stage you water from the bottom and in Vegetati ... " ha, gramps be grow some "not so micro" greens. Love the video, growing Microgreens in tropic Nigeria.

[@GGTanguera]

Where are those green trays from?

[@MrDunosan]

19:17 “SIT DOWN!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Larry: This MF……

[@hamiltoncamp]

Can you reuse the coco coir pads if you clean and sterilize? and do they compost down?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

It would take a lot of cleaning and sanitation is it worth the time, yes they compost down

[@mellimel1174]

Yay for Baltimore! Too often, the crime problem overshadows all the great things and great people there. Go Larry!

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Thank you...

[@TheMrJoeMac]

Larry's really great. Thanks for putting this video together John. I surewish Larry would talk a little about grow schedules.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

We talk about grow schedules in our videos and on our facebook page there is lots of information on grow schedules and the 1 2 3 method to keep you clients orders filled and never run out.

[@puresue2289]

Thanks. I am a first time wheat grass grower. So far so good thanks for the part of the hairs. I was getting nervous I have watched soooo many videos but no one explains fully natural light i do not have a grow room So when does the grass need sunlight after it is yellow after 4 days in the dark? I have them inside and now in a sunny window. how many hours should they be getting direct or do you suggest indirect sun? And lastly. Do i water from the bottom, they are planted in soil? Thanks so much guys.

[@tuesdayskittens]

EXCELLENT interview, super helpful and enjoyable thank you both!!

[@LisaDeeCanada]

very useful info - thanks!

[@lilmislady7579]

Hi there! Quick question .... do the trays have holes? How do you bottom water them ?

[@lilmislady7579]

@learnorganicgardening

[@crazycatlady8340]

Hi, will I be able to buy these growing mats in the UK?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

We have shipped to the UK

[@charleenhuyler5119]

Thank you for the video. Would like to start growing for personal use in my kitchen - how can I get Larry's substrate mats? Much thanks.

[@TatyanaValdaBelindaHill]

Larry has such a cute look on his face during the intro :D

[@darrelmartin8261]

Same look I woulda' had sitting there too.

[@amyrick2986]

Great video!

[@2quick4u84]

If using soil the watering system is the same? thanks

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Yes

[@crazyukulelegirlpercy]

Can you give us the website where we can buy all the things you are using, like your pad, seeds, container, etc. Thank you

[@shawngillikin2620]

I think the water source is just as important as the organic soil, seeds and quality plastic trays but it’s NEVER discussed and most of these folks are in the city using fluorinated and chlorinated treated water!!!

[@raparchive3921]

I find it so weird how a lot of people don’t even question what’s in their tap

[@SQLUniversity]

Excellent video, thanks for being so thorough and informative!

[@1LOUISIS]

What water wand are you using can I please have a link to it.

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

www.amazon.com/Rainmaker-Pump-Sprayer-1-Gallon/dp/B00IGFEZ8Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515414952&sr=8-1&keywords=rainmaker+sprayer

[@durindadunn-cavin5015]

All of the grow mediums from True leaf should be fine, right?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

Unsure True Leaf does not sell cocofiber pads like City-Hydro

[@ErinBirchCoaching]

This was so great!!! Thank you!

[@mariae6942]

I LOVE YOU JOHN!!!! ❤️

[@ThrivingInTheGrey]

Loved this, very helpful. Where does he get his green food grade containers? I found that to be really important and I want to make sure I purchase the safest materials. Thank You

[@deathdeath2222]

Really nice video!!!! Thx!!!

[@tomradio4491]

Great video. Thanks again!

[@ronnipaints6128]

What do you do with your pad after harvest. Is is reusable?

[@LarryHountz_City-Hydro]

compost them, they are not reusable do to sanitation concerns