First harvest

Your plants have now come through the germination phase and have developed plenty of leaf mass during the growth phase. Now is the right time to harvest the first leaves. Below you'll find useful tips for getting the most out of your plants.

The following topics are described briefly and precisely here:

1. Do I have to harvest the whole plant?
2. How do I best harvest the different plants?
3. What should I pay attention to in the use phase?
4. What do I do if plants are different heights?
5. How do I use liquid nutrients in the use phase?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Do I have to harvest the whole plant?
No, you don't have to harvest the whole plant at once. In most cases harvesting correctly encourages plant growth, so you can harvest more and more often. When harvesting, be careful not to damage the plant so as to support its continuous growth.

2. How do I best harvest the different plants?
Another important element for getting plenty of enjoyment from your plants is harvesting them correctly. By harvesting regularly you encourage new shoots to form and thus increase the harvest volume. The following sections describe the most commonly used plants and the recommended cutting methods:

• Basil: Cut above a pair of leaves to encourage new shoots above that pair.
• Parsley: Cut close to the base of the stems to stimulate new growth from the centre of the plant.
• Rocket: Harvest the outer leaves to allow growth from the inside out.
• Chives: Cut about 2-3 cm above the base to ensure continuous growth.
• Coriander: Harvest the leaves at the tips of the stems to encourage branching and leaf growth.
• Thyme: Cut off the shoot tips to encourage branching and denser growth.
• Oregano: Cut off the tips of the shoots to encourage branching. This stimulates the growth of new leaves on the sides of the plant.
• Savory: Similar to oregano, cut off the tips of the shoots. That encourages bushier growth and the formation of new leaves.
• Dill: Can be harvested from a height of about 15 cm. Simply harvest the dill tips. From a height of about 30 cm the plant should be harvested completely.
• Lettuces: Cut the outer leaves close to the base without damaging the plant's central growing point. This allows the plant to keep producing new leaves.

When pruning your plants, bear in mind that even with the correct cut there is no guarantee that new shoots will grow back. Environmental conditions, the health of the plant and care are important factors too.

3. What should I pay attention to in the use phase?
It is advisable to check the plant regularly for dried-out or brown leaves, especially in the lower part. Such leaves should be removed to allow new leaves and shoots to grow undisturbed. Otherwise the plant focuses on repairing the damaged leaves and healthy growth takes a back seat.

You should also check your plants regularly for pest infestation, even though the homefarm is generally less susceptible to pests than garden or house plants. External influences can cause pests to spread to the homefarm system. So look out for signs such as discoloration or visible pests. Detecting them early can help prevent them spreading and keep the plants healthy.

In the plant boxes it can sometimes happen that the roots of the plants rest against the back wall of the plant box and thereby interfere with the water level sensor in the left-hand part of the box. This can cause the sensor to wrongly indicate a full tank even though the water is empty. So check the left side of the box regularly for roots that might be affecting the sensor. If necessary, swap the affected plant for one with less root growth or trim the roots carefully. Bear in mind, though, that not all plants tolerate root trimming well, since the roots are important for water and nutrient uptake.

4. What do I do if plants are different heights?
If the plants in your homefarm are different heights, it is advisable to arrange them so that plants of similar height are together in one plant box. That way you can ensure an even distance between the LED bars and the tips of the plants. This ensures that all plants have optimal light conditions and prevents individual plants from scorching or other plants from being shaded. Especially in the germination phase this can affect a plant so badly that it grows leggy or dies.

5. How do I use liquid nutrients in the use phase?
To support your plants optimally, make sure they get enough nutrients. Use our carefully selected liquid nutrients, which contain important natural elements such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium oxide and trace elements. Add the nutrients when inserting new plant capsules and every time you top up the water.

If anything is unclear or you have specific questions, you can contact our support team at any time (happy@urbanhive.de).