Can they be re-used?
Your ability to re-use the plastic insert depends on 1) how long you let the plant grow, and 2) the type of plant. The determining factor is the size of the root mass the plant develops. Smaller root structure = better chance of re-use.
Although it’s possible that you will be able to re-use the plastic insert, and we plan to offer refills in the future to cater for this, our advice is that you shouldn’t count on being able to do so. For this reason, we use a biodegradable plastic. We want to avoid landfill even more than you do. It costs us a bit more to do this, but we feel it’s money well spent.
A few of you have suggested that throwing away the plastic at the end is wasteful. Like we said, we want to avoid landfill more than you do. The main reason we started this business was because of our belief in sustainability. Although throwing away waste items is never ideal, we encourage you to think about our product in the context of your available alternatives. - The average American meal travels over 1,500 miles from farm to table. We’re aiming for 15 feet. We’re saving food-miles. - The average American produces over 1,500 lb a year in waste, much of which is packaging. We’re aiming for zero food-packaging. - Our food system in the US throws away around 40% of what we produce. This food waste is worth around US$121 bn pa. Producing this food that gets thrown away wastes water, resources, land, labor and energy. By growing food at home we aim to get food waste down to 0%.
So yes, it is a bummer if you don’t end up being able to re-use our little piece of (biodegradable) plastic, but relative to your alternative we’re still WAY ahead.
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:10
Watering frequency?
The frequency that you need to refill the bottle all depends on the size of your plant and the size of your bottle. At first, the initial fill should last about a month but once your plant is bigger you should check the level every week.
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:11
Why don't you ship to ...?
We’d love to be able to ship everywhere, of course! This product contains seeds and plant matter, which are heavily restricted by customs and border protection in most countries.
We’ve got the main Kickstarter-backing countries covered, but if yours is not on the list please get in touch. If it’s possible to do so we’ll add it.
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:11
Are bottles included?
No! We encourage you to “upcycle” a used bottle and give it second life as a hydroponics reservoir. The garden is sized to fit in 95% of bottlenecks, so most any bottle should work. We recommend you use brown or green glass because they are best at blocking harmful light.
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:11
How long does it take to grow?
It all depends on your plant species, however most herbs should sprout between 1 and 2 weeks after planting. If your plant hasn’t sprouted after 3 weeks, there is probably something wrong with your seeds.
Once your plant has sprouted it will take between 30 and 100 days to reach maturity, however with most plants you can prune them and enjoy “mini harvests” over the course of their life (and to help extend their lives!). In our R&D lab we have some Mint, Thai Basil & Parsley that have been growing strong for 6 months!
The speed of growth largely depends on how much light it gets, so if the days are getting shorter or your plants is in an area without much natural light, you may want to consider a grow lamp (<$30) to help it along.
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:11
Shelf life?
Most seeds are viable for 1-2 years, but this can depend on their species and the environment your store them in (dark, dry, and cool is best!). However, if you plant your garden and find that the seeds are no longer viable - your nutrient enriched media should never expire, so you can just put in new seeds and grow away!
Last updated: May 31, 2017 10:11
I am in Backernation, why am I owing $0.80?
Don’t worry, you will not need to pay an extra $0.80. We are waiting on a list of everyone from Backernation so we can get credits applied to everyone eligible. If you write in we can also get the $0.80 applied to you directly.
Last updated: July 12, 2017 10:10
Can they be re-used?
Your ability to re-use the plastic insert depends on 1) how long you let the plant grow, and 2) the type of plant. The determining factor is the size of the root mass the plant develops. Smaller root structure = better chance of re-use. Although it’s possible that you will be able to re-use the plastic insert, and we plan to offer refills in the future to cater for this, our advice is that you shouldn’t count on being able to do so. For this reason, we use a biodegradable plastic. We want to avoid landfill even more than you do. It costs us a bit more to do this, but we feel it’s money well spent. A few of you have suggested that throwing away the plastic at the end is wasteful. Like we said, we want to avoid landfill more than you do. The main reason we started this business was because of our belief in sustainability. Although throwing away waste items is never ideal, we encourage you to think about our product in the context of your available alternatives. - The average American meal travels over 1,500 miles from farm to table. We’re aiming for 15 feet. We’re saving food-miles. - The average American produces over 1,500 lb a year in waste, much of which is packaging. We’re aiming for zero food-packaging. - Our food system in the US throws away around 40% of what we produce. This food waste is worth around US$121 bn pa. Producing this food that gets thrown away wastes water, resources, land, labor and energy. By growing food at home we aim to get food waste down to 0%. So yes, it is a bummer if you don’t end up being able to re-use our little piece of (biodegradable) plastic, but relative to your alternative we’re still WAY ahead. Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:10 pm EDT
Watering frequency?
The frequency that you need to refill the bottle all depends on the size of your plant and the size of your bottle. At first, the initial fill should last about a month but once your plant is bigger you should check the level every week. Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:11 pm EDT
Why don’t you ship to …?
We’d love to be able to ship everywhere, of course! This product contains seeds and plant matter, which are heavily restricted by customs and border protection in most countries. We’ve got the main Kickstarter-backing countries covered, but if yours is not on the list please get in touch. If it’s possible to do so we’ll add it. Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:11 pm EDT
Are bottles included?
No! We encourage you to “upcycle” a used bottle and give it second life as a hydroponics reservoir. The garden is sized to fit in 95% of bottlenecks, so most any bottle should work. We recommend you use brown or green glass because they are best at blocking harmful light. Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:11 pm EDT
How long does it take to grow?
It all depends on your plant species, however most herbs should sprout between 1 and 2 weeks after planting. If your plant hasn’t sprouted after 3 weeks, there is probably something wrong with your seeds. Once your plant has sprouted it will take between 30 and 100 days to reach maturity, however with most plants you can prune them and enjoy “mini harvests” over the course of their life (and to help extend their lives!). In our R&D lab we have some Mint, Thai Basil & Parsley that have been growing strong for 6 months! The speed of growth largely depends on how much light it gets, so if the days are getting shorter or your plants is in an area without much natural light, you may want to consider a grow lamp (<$30) to help it along. Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:11 pm EDT
Shelf life?
Most seeds are viable for 1-2 years, but this can depend on their species and the environment your store them in (dark, dry, and cool is best!). However, if you plant your garden and find that the seeds are no longer viable - your nutrient enriched media should never expire, so you can just put in new seeds and grow away! Last updated: Wed, May 31 2017 1:11 pm EDT
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
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