Review of the Red Evolution RSG-01 smart garden

The Red Evolution RSG-01 Smart Garden is a compact hydroponic system capable of growing a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers. While we're not sure if fruit trees as tall as 40 centimeters exist in nature, the manufacturer's website states that strawberries, raspberries and blueberries can be grown in the Fruit mode, and they fit perfectly under a special lamp.

To play it safe with growing a fruit tree in a hydroponic setup, we decided to try growing herbs, which are always useful in the kitchen. Let's see together what we got.

^* Contrary to popular belief, this is not the time limit after which the device will necessarily break down. However, after this period, the manufacturer ceases to bear any responsibility for its performance and has the right to refuse to repair it, even for a fee.

The black cardboard box depicts a smart garden in which basil has successfully grown. The packaging also presents the features of this device: the ability to harvest at home all year round, a built-in automatic watering system, growing plants without using soil, the presence of a phytolamp with different operating modes and 6 places for planting plants.

The device was securely fixed inside the box using foam inserts and carefully packed in a plastic bag.

The smart garden kit consists of:

• the smart garden itself
• baskets for germination — 6 pcs.
• sponges for germination — 6 pcs.
• lids for baskets — 6 pcs.
• instruction manuals
• and service book

At first glance, a smart garden looks like an ordinary, not very large flower box, equipped with lighting. The black body, the lamp on a telescopic leg — it all looks very stylish.

The device comes with 6 plastic baskets, and cone-shaped porous soil sponges.

Soil sponges made from pressed coconut fiber must be placed in baskets and installed in the system’s nests. On the Red Solution website, these soil sponges are described as follows: “The innovative organic substrate has optimal moisture holding capacity and a breathable structure for the successful cultivation of greens, baby vegetables, berries or indoor houseplants.”

The baskets and sponges come with transparent plastic lids to create a greenhouse effect.

The inside of the device is very simple: at the bottom there is a pump that circulates water, and on the left we see a telescopic rod to which an LED lamp is attached.

The same block contains a connector for connecting a pump (Pump) and a connector for connecting power (Power).

To connect the power supply, a special recess is made in the device body.

The LED lamp has a full light spectrum, which has a beneficial effect on plant growth.

Undoubtedly, a telescopic rod for a lamp is convenient, which can rise to a height of up to 40 centimeters. The lamp also contains buttons for turning on the following modes: “Vegetables”, “Fruits” and “Flowers” (a detailed description of the modes is in the “Control” section).

The set also includes a network adapter

And a set of fertilizers for hydroponics.

The jars indicate the composition of the fertilizers, as well as the proportion in which they need to be diluted.

The instruction is an A5 brochure in Russian and Kazakh languages. The operating process, technical characteristics, device design and possible troubleshooting methods are described in detail.

The instructions are written in simple and understandable language.

The device is controlled using three touch buttons, representing different operating modes of the device.

• Vegetable mode (Veg button). The lighting operates according to the “14 hours on + 10 hours off” scheme from the moment the device is turned on. Blue, red and white spectrum lighting is used.
• “Flowers” mode (Flower button). The lighting operates according to the “12 hours on + 12 hours off” scheme. Red and white spectrum lighting is used.
• “Fruit” mode (Fruit button). The lighting operates according to the “16 hours on + 8 hours off” scheme. Red spectrum lighting is used, white spectrum brightness is increased.

When you press the button, a sound signal is heard confirming the activation/change of mode; The timer starts counting automatically when you press any of the buttons.

Operation of the smart garden went smoothly. We turned on the device, then unpacked it, soaked the seed sponges in water and poured water into the reservoir according to the instructions. Then we placed 2-3 grains of greenery in each sponge, and then placed the sponges in baskets and closed the container with a lid. Transparent caps helped create a greenhouse effect for the baskets. We added fertilizer to the water according to the instructions.

By selecting the “Vegetables” mode, the device automatically started working. The built-in timer started counting down the time from the moment any lighting mode was turned on. The device worked reliably, automatically turning the lights on and off at the set times.

Regarding the replacement of sponges for seeds in a smart garden, this is usually provided by manufacturers. You can also refer to the Red Solution website where they offer smart garden soil sponges at an affordable price. It is important to remember that only filtered or bottled water is allowed for the device to avoid the negative impact of the pump on the device and plants.

The external surfaces of the device can be wiped with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. For internal surfaces exposed to water, thorough cleaning is recommended to avoid the formation of deposits.

Do not use detergents to clean the internal parts, as this may upset the balance of nutrients.

Each time you change the water in the tank, add fertilizer in the specified proportion.

It is recommended to clean the pump and its filter at least once a month.

We carried out all the necessary actions according to the instructions and planted the seeds in the smart garden, adding fertilizer to the water.

We planted the seeds in the order shown in the photo below:

• bushy dill
• vegetable basil «Yerevan»
• vegetable basil “Taste of cinnamon”
• green aromatic basil
• sandwich parsley
• vegetable coriander “Parsley gardener”

Five days later, the fragrant green basil sprouted:

Two more days later the dill sprouted:

And tiny sprouts of other types of basil appeared.

12 days after planting, the following picture is observed: thriving dill, sprouts of basil of various types, and parsley and coriander are in no hurry to sprout.

Two weeks after planting, the dill has grown significantly:

Two weeks after planting, the dill has grown significantly:

But the cilantro, unfortunately, never sprouted. We suspect that the problem is due to low-quality seeds.

Three and a half weeks after landing, we see the following picture:

Overall, we can say that the experience was a success. The plants do not look “liquid” and elongated, as happens with a lack of sunlight in our winters and springs, the foliage is bright and dense — we grow good, healthy greens, of which dill and basil of various types turned out to be the most grateful.

We will monitor further developments. And closer to spring we plan to plant pansies or petunias.

The Red Evolution RSG-01 smart garden is an excellent solution for people who do not have their own garden or vegetable garden, but want to grow greenery right at home. Watching the plants grow is fascinating, although it is worth noting that the process takes some time, despite the additional lighting. Still, the plants look healthy and bring joy, especially when it’s winter outside, and a real little spring is blooming on your windowsill.

But the question arises about the usefulness of greens and vegetables grown in a hydroponic system. Most likely, they will not differ significantly from those that we buy in stores.

The next experiment may be growing flowers. Imagine: it’s winter outside, there’s snow in the yard, and pansies, annual dahlias, or maybe a strawberry bush are blooming on your windowsill.

Pros:

• good design
• compactness
• wonderful gift

Minuses:

• price