Thanks for all the feedback guys!
And some very interesting uses and history by Rainbow.
I will continue looking for information in libraries and online databases, but I wanted to make sure I got some advice from real people, because in my experience, the instructions listed on the seed packet or in the encyclopedia aren't always correct.
The only thing I'm still wondering is what to do with my AeroGarden. I am also considering buying one of the mini power-plant, shown here: [url]https://www.prepara.com/power_plant.php[/url], along with the grow light, which is sold separately. That would bring my total spaces for indoor herbs to three, MAYBE four if I could plant two that live well together in the power plant.
So first, I was wondering if anyone has tried the power plant for herbs, or anything at all. It is smaller than an AeroGarden, but cheaper as well, and the grow light is optional, in case you have a place you could put the pod where it would get full sunlight anyway, and, the best feature in my opinion, you can plant WHATEVER you want, without having to buy extra grow pods and a stupid book you don't need for an extra $30. (I am referring to the Master Gardener kit from Aero: [url]https://www.aerogardenstore.com/promotion/index.php?promoName=catalog&pageName=product&viewProduct=0356-00Z[/url]) And look at this, someone posted in the reviews the recommended procedure for planting your own seeds:
Use a paper or dinner plate as a work surface when you want to create pods using a Master Gardener kit. Using a pen, write the date and name of the plant on the label. To make seeds go where you want them and stay put, apply a couple drops of white glue to the plate's surface, open the sponge and dab the open edges on the glue. Add seeds to the plate, and dab the open surfaces of the sponge onto the seeds. This way, you can control how many seeds go into each pod, and none fall out during handling. Very helpful when handling tiny seeds like basil and cilantro!
Using the sandpaper, sand the flat top edges of the pod all the way around just enough to roughen them. Just enough to ensure the label can stick to the glue. An emery board works about as well; sanding takes a few seconds.
Place the label face down on the plate, open the glue bottle and apply a thin line of white glue around the edges. Put the sponge holding your seeds into the pod, with the cut edge pointing to the top. Turn the pod upside down and firmly press the roughened edges onto the label. Rotate gently 1/8" to ensure a good seal between the label, glue, and the pod's top edge. Press firmly and let the pod you've just created to rest upside down for 20 minutes on a flat surface. When the glue is dry, plant the pods in the AeroGarden.
And that's not even all she said.
With the power-plant, you ALWAYS use your own seeds, and just pop them in a little fold in the middle of the grow sponge. No glue or sandpaper required.
Rawr.
End rant.
Anyway... am I thinking correctly that I would do best to use the hydroponic gardens to grow things that will not survive here in MN, or are aggressive? For instance: rosemary, some variety of mint, and sage? I also wonder if any of the herbs that I would do better to grow indoors would coexist well together. I think I could easily plant two herbs in the power plant mini, as long as they wouldn't kill each other. Any advice on that?
Also, just an afterthought... since AeroGarden is so full of itself, I need to buy everything in minimally-customizable kits. I would like to grow salad greens, but not in all three slots, yet the only salad greens kit comes with three pods. Therefore, I would like to store the remaining two for when the one I planted dies out. Any tips on how to store seeds already implanted in their little soil pods? I will also be purchasing the master gardener kit, which comes with soil pods without seeds. I assume storing these won't be too difficult, but I still wonder if there are any conditions I should make sure DON'T happen, so the soil doesn't get somehow ruined.
Thanks guys!
P.S. Also wondering about lavender. The munstead variety is supposedly good grown in containers, perhaps a candidate for my hydroponics? But other varieties (I am not sure which) can actually be grown as shrubs, and I would love to have a nice row of lavender. In this case as well, though, I am thinking I would do best to start it indoors and transplant when it is hardy in the spring?
)buckwheat, cabbage, cucumber, endive, garlic, gourds, grains, marigolds, parsley, snapdragon. I may have missed some, I was trying to just go through the list quickly and find what I recognized.