I’m not doubting your word but "$50 of electricity a month for $50
worth of salad"... ouch! As for $300….. double ouch…..What is your kWh
cost?

I can only think you have to be using some very high wattage lights
for a energy bill that high. The hydraulics part of the system are
not expensive to run. So I hope you don’t think Hydroponics and grow-
lights as a mutually inclusive entity. Take your crop outside with
the rest of your veggies to take advantage of the sun. I agree the
250 w Aerogarden is proprietary crap. Like comparing a . 22 cal
pellet rifle with a .22 mag rifle.

I understood you to ask about a continuous or sustainable lettuce
crop cycle in your growing season. LIke you I want a system that
avoids one big harvest. I want fresh greens as I go. My 11 plant
system is that for me. I understand dirt will give similiar results
for some. As for energy consumption my 11 plant system consumes
~31w when running ( a 400gph water pump @25w +an air pump @ 6 w) ).
Cycle time is variable w/ plant requirements. Hotter climates you
may have more cycle times. but say 5 -8 times @ 5 mins ea. a day
here in my climate. so the daily on-time is an hour. . 31w @ an
hour a day

So using the cost calculator @ http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/howmuch.html
I’ll round up and use the 60w figure @ 1 hour a day for 30 days a
month @ my cost of .06 cents/kWh (relatively inexpensive here). That
is ~ 11 cents a mo. or $1.32 a year, so about 65 cents of electricity
for a 6 month growing season outdoors? Even @ 15 cents a kWh its only ~
$3.24 a year. So for the ease I have of "pull one- plant one”. I’m
willing to pay that and still believe the 11 plant system or similar
such is a very flexible approach that might answer your needs. It’s
just a bit different way to staggering your plants. Each container is
in various stages of growth. Early on we use micro greens, later,
it’s baby, then perhaps leave a head to finish. its all use one…
plant one… all in a 2 x 3 foot area. 11 plants staggered out over
their 30-40 day growth cycle. We started in March and it’s still
running, with ambient temps down to 38f in the AM this last week. The
system plants didn’t bolt like the ground crops did in our mini heat
wave. This automates the process of watering/fertilizing w/ no
weeding. As well my incident rate of pest/disease has greatly
decreased, especially slugs. Again your results may vary.

I am also not of the opinion that lights are too expensive to run.
Just pick the right engine for the vehicle, a 3x3 area of greens only
needs 250W, 1000w will power ( and heat) a 8x8’ room quite well. If
I wanted to put this system under lighting indoors during the winter
I would use either a T5HO tube setup( 180$) or a 250 w Metal Halide
(approx the same$$) ( both are best for green leafy stuff that don’t
flower), and at my 6 cents it is 7.92 a month to run 16 hours a day .
Lettuce/greens are running 1.50-1.70 a head, the triple washed boxes
are 2.50-3.00 a box now. So its pretty much an equal wash for me and
using the adage oft heard here; its always best if you control the
grow.

I have read someone using the figure 100w=100$ a year , 200w=2004,
etc for quick calculations. However use this for cost calculator
from sunlight supply to plug your numbers in and get better cost
figures,: http://www.n-g-w.com/ngw/literature/..._powercost.pdf

BTW what was your water bill for your garden this year?