GrowArt™ Instructions
GrowArt™
Grow your own edible art!
Watch the video walkthrough here, or follow along with the written instructions below!
Your kit has enough supplies for 3 rounds, so you get three tries. Rounds 1 and 2 use the stencils, which makes them great for practice. If your first design isn't perfect, no worries, that's exactly what the second round is for! For round 3, go freestyle: skip the stencil and make your own design, like your initials, a heart, stripes, or anything you dream up. You may not need all the seeds, depending on your design.
In your kit: hydroponic growing pads · red amaranth seeds (red bag) · basil seeds (blue bag) · stencil inserts · painting tool · misting bottle · tray with lid · Show and Grow Box
 
Always plant red amaranth first, basil second.
1. Set up your pad
Place a hydroponic growing pad in the tray. Fill the misting bottle and pour in one and a half bottles of water, until the pad is fully soaked.
Place a hydroponic growing pad in the tray. Fill the misting bottle and pour in one and a half bottles of water, until the pad is fully soaked.
2. Make your stencil
Pick an insert and punch out your shape. You'll have two pieces: the outer frame (with the hole) and the small shape. Set the small shape aside for later.
Pick an insert and punch out your shape. You'll have two pieces: the outer frame (with the hole) and the small shape. Set the small shape aside for later.
3. Place the frame
Set the outer frame in the tray, on top of the pad.
Set the outer frame in the tray, on top of the pad.
4. Plant the red amaranth
Sprinkle red amaranth seeds inside the shape opening and spread them out evenly. Don't dump them in one spot, and don't pack them too tightly. Use your painting tool to break up any clumps.
Sprinkle red amaranth seeds inside the shape opening and spread them out evenly. Don't dump them in one spot, and don't pack them too tightly. Use your painting tool to break up any clumps.
5. Cover your shape
Lift out the outer frame, then lay the small punched-out shape gently on top of your amaranth seeds to protect them.
Lift out the outer frame, then lay the small punched-out shape gently on top of your amaranth seeds to protect them.
6. Plant the basil
Sprinkle basil seeds evenly over the rest of the pad, all around the covered shape. Break up any clumps with your painting tool.
Sprinkle basil seeds evenly over the rest of the pad, all around the covered shape. Break up any clumps with your painting tool.
7. Reveal your design
Once the basil is spread evenly, lift off the small piece. The shape area underneath stays clear, so you can see the outline of your design in seeds, ready to grow.
Once the basil is spread evenly, lift off the small piece. The shape area underneath stays clear, so you can see the outline of your design in seeds, ready to grow.
8. Mist it
Spray the seeds 15 to 30 times with the misting bottle.
Spray the seeds 15 to 30 times with the misting bottle.
9. Cover and wait
Put the lid on and place the tray somewhere cool and dark for 3 days.
Put the lid on and place the tray somewhere cool and dark for 3 days.
10. Day 3: light and water
Take the lid off and place the tray in your Show and Grow Box, then set it on a bright windowsill indoors. A desk or kitchen counter near a window works too, just keep it inside, not outdoors. From now on, water it every day by misting, or by pouring a little into one corner so you don't disturb the seeds.
Take the lid off and place the tray in your Show and Grow Box, then set it on a bright windowsill indoors. A desk or kitchen counter near a window works too, just keep it inside, not outdoors. From now on, water it every day by misting, or by pouring a little into one corner so you don't disturb the seeds.
11. Watch it grow
Over the next week or two, your seeds will sprout and fill in. The red amaranth colors up as your main design, and the basil greens in behind it. Keep watering a little each day.
Over the next week or two, your seeds will sprout and fill in. The red amaranth colors up as your main design, and the basil greens in behind it. Keep watering a little each day.
12. Harvest and enjoy
When the greens are about 1 to 2 inches tall, usually 1 to 2 weeks after they go into the light, your art is ready to eat. The red amaranth is often ready a little before the basil. Snip the greens just above the pad with clean scissors, give them a gentle rinse, and add them to salads, sandwiches, pizza, or just eat them on their own. They taste best fresh!
When the greens are about 1 to 2 inches tall, usually 1 to 2 weeks after they go into the light, your art is ready to eat. The red amaranth is often ready a little before the basil. Snip the greens just above the pad with clean scissors, give them a gentle rinse, and add them to salads, sandwiches, pizza, or just eat them on their own. They taste best fresh!
Don't overwater or underwater. Keep the pad damp, not flooded.Tips & tricks
-
Spread basil fast.
Basil seeds turn gel-like and sticky when wet, so spread them right after pouring. If they sit too long, they're tough to move with your tool. -
Thin and even wins.
A light, even layer of seeds makes a crisper, cleaner design than thick piles. -
Easy on the water.
Once it's in the light, keep the pad damp, not soaked. Too much water can lead to mold. -
Is it mold or roots?
Fuzzy white strands are usually harmless root hairs, not mold. Real mold looks like spider-webby patches -
Don't wait too long to harvest.
Once the greens are ready, snip them within a few days so they stay fresh and colorful. -
Have fun with round 3.
No stencil means no rules, try letters, patterns, or a whole scene.