When and How to Add Plant Food for the First Time (Sprout Dose)

Adding plant food for the first time is the moment your Gardyn shifts from germination to active growth. Seeds germinate (sprout) using their own stored energy, but once sprouts emerge, they benefit from a timely sprout dose of nutrients to support root development and speed establishment.

DO NOT ADD AT PLANT FOOD AT SETUP!

• Start with the right tank volume (water only) at set up:

  • Gardyn Home: 3 gallons at setup

  • Gardyn Studio: 2 gallons at setup

• Do not add plant food at setup. Wait for your Kelby task.

• Sprout dose ratio: 1/4 tsp Gardyn Plant Food per 1 gallon of water

• Remove any unsprouted yCubes before dosing (plant food can inhibit germination).

• Dissolve plant food in a clean food-safe 1 gallon container of tap water, then pour it in your tank

• Do not top off with extra water unless Kelby specifically tells you to.

Every new Gardyn comes with:

• A bottle of Gardyn Plant Food

  

• A white measuring spoon that measures 1 teaspoon (1 tsp.)

Important: Plant food is not the same as HydroBoost, and Hydroboost cannot be used in place of plant food.

HydroBoost is a plant-based water treatment that:

• Lowers and stabilizes pH

• Supports balanced nutrient availability in the water

• Helps keep your Gardyn running cleaner over time

HydroBoost supports water quality and system health, while Gardyn Plant Food is what actually feeds your plants.

If you have a Gardyn Membership, Kelby will tell you precisely when your Gardyn is ready for its first sprout dose of plant food by sending a task in the app. Kelby monitors sprout growth and only sends this task once the majority of your yCubes have sprouted. Most Gardyns reach this point within the first 2 weeks, though exact timing can vary based on plant variety and environmental conditions.

Tip: Enable app notifications so you don’t miss this task.

Plant food can inhibit germination, so remove any unsprouted yCubes before adding your first dose.

• Sprouted: any growth above the rockwool surface

• Unsprouted: no visible growth above the rockwool surface

If you have unsprouted yCubes:

1. Move unsprouted yCubes to a Nursery (or a covered tray with a vented lid) to continue germinating.

2. Soak the yCubes for 5 minutes, pour off any excess water, and place a vented lid (This is called the Soak method.)

Reminder: With our Germination Guarantee, we’ll replace any yCube that fails to sprout after 21 days.

Introduce a sprout dose of nutrients to kick start early growth.

• Home: tank filled to 3 gallons

• Studio: tank filled to 2 gallons

Sprout dose = 1/4 tsp Gardyn plant food per 1 gallon water for every gallon of water in your tank

1. Fill a clean food-safe 1 gallon container with warm tap water.

2. Add Gardyn Plant food and shake to dissolve:

   1. Gardyn Home: 1 tsp

   2. Gardyn Studio: 3/4 tsp

3. Pour the mixed gallon into your tank. This achieves the right ratio of plant food/water in your tank.

Important: Do not add additional water right now unless Kelby tells you to. *Keeping the space in the tank helps you add the next phase of plant food when your plants are ready.

Tip: The Gardyn Adjustable Spoon is designed to include the key plant food measurements used across your growing journey.

If you have HydroBoost, you can add it after completing your first plant food dose. Follow the HydroBoost bottle label for the correct amount based on your Gardyn type and water type.

After you add your first dose of plant food, your sprouts will continue to develop into established seedlings. Kelby will guide you through the next steps so plant food stays in sync with plant development.

Here’s what to expect:

• More plant food guidance as your seedlings develop. Your next plant food task will ramp up nutrients to the next phase (early/vegetative growth) once plants are established.

• Don’t delay the transition: Timing matters. When Kelby tells you it’s time to move to the next phase, completing the task promptly helps prevent plant stress and keeps growth on track.

Questions? Reach us at support@mygardyn.com, or chat with us! We're here to help.