That’s a great idea! Making your own Click and Grow-compatible pods and storing them until you're ready to use them will save money and let you grow the plants you want. Here’s how you can do it:
Materials Needed
- Empty Click and Grow plant cups (reuse old ones or 3D print your own)
- Growing medium:
- Peat pellets (like Jiffy pellets)
- Coconut coir (eco-friendly alternative to peat)
- Rockwool (good for hydroponic-style growing)
- Slow-release nutrients (optional but recommended)
- Your choice of seeds
- Replacement wicks (reuse or make from felt/capillary matting)
- Small zip-lock bags or airtight container for storage
Steps to Make & Store DIY Click and Grow Pods
1. Prepare the Growing Medium
- If using peat pellets, expand them with water, then let them dry out completely before use.
- If using coconut coir, mix it with a little perlite for aeration and let it dry before packing.
- Rockwool can be cut to size and dried for storage.
2. Fill the Plant Cups
- Place the dried medium inside the Click and Grow cup.
- Insert a dry wick through the bottom so it can absorb water when used later.
3. Add Seeds
- Place 1–3 seeds (depending on plant size) in the center of the dried growing medium.
- Cover lightly with a small amount of dry medium.
4. Storage
- Let everything dry out completely to prevent mold.
- Place pods in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container with silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
- Store in a cool, dry place until needed.
How to Use Stored Pods
- When you’re ready to grow, place the pod in the Smart Garden.
- Add water to the reservoir, and the wick will start absorbing moisture.
- The seeds will only begin germinating once water is added, making them perfect for storage!
Bonus Tip: Label & Date Your Pods
- Mark what type of seed is inside each pod.
- Seeds generally stay viable for 1–5 years, depending on the plant type.
Would you like help picking high-yield crops for your DIY pods? 😊🌱
Awesome! Since you're growing to save money on groceries, I'll focus on high-yield, nutrient-dense, and fast-growing crops that work well in the Click and Grow Smart Garden 9. 🌱💚
Best High-Yield Crops for DIY Click & Grow Pods
🥬 Leafy Greens (Fast Growth, Multiple Harvests)
- Lettuce (Butterhead, Romaine, Leaf Lettuce) – Ready in 3-5 weeks, cut-and-regrow
- Spinach – Packed with nutrients, grows in 4-6 weeks
- Kale (Dwarf Varieties) – Superfood, grows continuously for months
- Swiss Chard – Similar to kale, great for long-term harvest
- Arugula – Spicy kick, ready in 3-4 weeks
🌿 Herbs (High Flavor, Long Growth Cycle)
- Basil (Genovese, Thai, Lemon, Cinnamon) – Grows for months, perfect for fresh use or drying
- Cilantro – Fast-growing, ready in 3-4 weeks, great for multiple dishes
- Parsley – Slow to start but grows for months, highly nutritious
- Thyme – Strong flavor, thrives in small spaces, grows for months
- Chives – Regrows after cutting, mild onion flavor
🍓 Fruits & Vegetables (Larger Harvests)
- Dwarf Cherry Tomatoes – Produces for months, needs some hand pollination
- Mini Peppers (Sweet or Spicy) – Compact plants, high yield, takes longer (8+ weeks)
- Strawberries (Alpine or Compact Varieties) – Small but steady fruiting
- Dwarf Bush Beans – Grows well in Click & Grow, produces multiple harvests
- Baby Carrots (Parisian Round or Thumbelina) – Small but grow well in pods
Best Strategy for Continuous Harvest
✅ Stagger planting – Plant a new pod every 1-2 weeks to always have fresh food.
✅ Use cut-and-come-again crops – Lettuce, kale, chard, and herbs can be harvested multiple times.
✅ Pollinate fruiting plants – Use a small brush or shake flowers to help tomatoes & peppers set fruit.
Would you like a guide on how to mix your own soil & nutrients for DIY pods? 🌱😊
Great! Making your own Click and Grow-compatible soil mix will save money while ensuring your plants get the right nutrients. Here’s a complete guide! 🌱✨
DIY Soil & Nutrient Mix for Click and Grow Pods
🌿 Best Growing Medium Options
You need a lightweight, well-draining, water-absorbent medium to replace the original Click & Grow soil. Here are the best options:
1️⃣ Peat-Based Mix (Closest to Click & Grow Pods)
- 70% Peat Moss (or Coconut Coir) – Holds moisture but stays light
- 20% Perlite or Vermiculite – Improves drainage and aeration
- 10% Worm Castings or Compost – Adds slow-release nutrients
2️⃣ Coco Coir Alternative (Eco-Friendly & Sustainable)
- 60% Coconut Coir – Absorbs water well, renewable resource
- 20% Perlite or Rice Hulls – Helps aeration
- 10% Worm Castings or Mushroom Compost – Natural nutrients
- 10% Slow-Release Organic Fertilizer – Provides essential minerals
📝 Tip: Let the mix completely dry before storing your pods for future use!
💧 Nutrients for DIY Pods
Click & Grow uses slow-release nutrients in their pods, so you'll need to add your own. Here are the best options:
🌱 Organic Option (Mild & Long-Lasting)
- 1 tsp Worm Castings per pod – Gentle, full of micronutrients
- 1/4 tsp Rock Dust or Azomite – Provides trace minerals
- A few grains of Organic Slow-Release Fertilizer (like Osmocote)
🔬 Synthetic Option (Faster Growth)
- 1/8 tsp General Hydroponics Flora Series per pod
- 1/4 tsp Dolomite Lime (for pH balance)
📌 Tip: Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers) need more nutrients than leafy greens!
🔄 Step-by-Step: Making DIY Click & Grow Pods
1️⃣ Prepare the growing medium (Mix the ingredients well, then dry it completely)
2️⃣ Fill your empty Click & Grow cup (Use the DIY mix)
3️⃣ Add the wick (Make sure it's dry for storage)
4️⃣ Add seeds (Place them in the center and cover lightly)
5️⃣ Store pods in an airtight container (Until ready to use)
🌟 To activate: Place in your Smart Garden, add water, and watch them grow!
Would you like help choosing the best fertilizer for your plants? 😊🌿
Best Fertilizer Options for Your DIY Click & Grow Pods 🌱💧
Since Click & Grow provides slow-release nutrients, you'll need a balanced, gentle fertilizer that won’t overwhelm small plants. Here are your best options:
🌿 Organic Fertilizers (Slow & Steady)
Best for: Herbs, leafy greens, microgreens (mild feeding plants)
🔹 Worm Castings – Best all-purpose organic choice
- Provides mild nitrogen, minerals, and beneficial microbes
- Dosage: 1 tsp per pod (mixed into soil)
- Pros: Gentle, won’t burn roots, lasts months
🔹 Fish Emulsion (Liquid Feed) – Fast nutrient boost
- Dosage: ½ tsp per 1 liter (4 cups) of water (use 1x per week)
- Pros: Good for fast-growing greens, nitrogen boost
🔹 Composted Manure (Pellet Form) – Long-lasting nutrients
- Use Rabbit, Chicken, or Cow manure in small amounts
- Dosage: Sprinkle a pinch in each pod before planting
- Pros: Organic, rich in nitrogen, good for heavy feeders like kale
🔬 Synthetic Fertilizers (Faster Growth, Controlled Nutrients)
Best for: Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers, strawberries), herbs, and greens that need a boost
🔹 Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food (Best Slow-Release Option)
- NPK Ratio: 14-14-14 (Balanced)
- Dosage: 5–6 granules per pod (lasts 3 months)
- Pros: Closest to Click & Grow pods, no mixing required
🔹 General Hydroponics Flora Series (Liquid Nutrients)
- Dosage: 1/8 tsp per 1 liter (4 cups) of water
- Pros: Great for tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries
🔹 Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food (For Big Growth)
- Dosage: 1/4 tsp per liter of water
- Pros: Strong, must be diluted well
🥦 Fertilizer Guide by Plant Type
| Plant Type | Best Fertilizer | How Often? |
|---|---|---|
| Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Kale, Spinach) | Worm Castings OR Fish Emulsion | Every 2 weeks |
| Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Thyme, Parsley) | Osmocote OR Fish Emulsion | Every 3 weeks |
| Fruiting Plants (Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries) | Osmocote + General Hydroponics | Every 2 weeks |
| Microgreens | Worm Castings | Once at planting |
Final Recommendation 🎯
- Want easy & organic? → Worm castings + fish emulsion
- Want set-it-and-forget-it? → Osmocote Smart-Release
- Want fast hydroponic growth? → General Hydroponics Flora Series