Frequently asked questions
How do I maintain Auk?
You only need to refill water and refill the nutrient capsules.
A batch in Auk can last anywhere from 4-12 months, depending on the plant. It's best to harvest little by little, so new leaves get exposed to the light and grow out.
Nutrient capsules can be refilled using the refill bottles (€29), that last 6-9 months.
When restarting Auk, we recommend using fresh coco soil (€17) for optimal pH and oxygen, though old coco soil can be reused. A refill package with both coco soil and nutrient refills is available for only €35.
With new coco soil in the pots, you can plant seeds, use cuttings, or transplant store-bought herbs - we recommend experimenting and trying different growing methods! Learn more about starting a new harvest here.
What can I grow in Auk?
Almost anything that sprouts and grows!
However, plants fitting within the Auk work best. For larger plants like tomatoes and chili, consider dwarf varieties from our online store. Feel free to use your own seeds, plant cuttings, or transplant store-bought herbs. Learn more about restarting your Auk here.
We recommend experimenting, that's part of the fun with Auk!
When can I harvest?
In Auk, plants grow up to 5 times faster than regular gardening, and are ready for harvest after 4-6 weeks.
Growth speed is very dependent on room temperature – the warmer the better, but try to keep it between 20–28 degrees.
With most plants, you can harvest for months on end, some can even live for several years! It's best to harvest little by little, so new leaves get exposed to the light and grow out.
See support.auk.eco for more information and videos on how to harvest.
Why does Auk use coco soil?
Auk uses coco soil from ground coconut shells (also known as coco coir) for optimal oxygen and pH buffering, resulting in improved growth conditions!
The coco soil is free of nutrients, as Auk itself controls how much nutrients are dispensed.
In addition, the coco soil is made from leftovers from coconut production, making it environmentally friendly.
How much electricity does Auk use?
Auk only uses around 9W on average (25W when the light is on, 1W when the light is off), costing you 0.5-1€ monthly.
What does the nutrition contain?
The nutrients are carefully refined minerals, making up all of the 14 basic elements that plants need to grow (and flourish!).
The nutrition is 100% free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Auk has 3 nutrient capsules that contain different combinations of the minerals. The nutrients in the various capsules are then mixed together based on what you grow and how far along the plants are in their growth cycle.
What is the plant chip?
The plant chip is a small NFC chip that informs Auk about the necessary conditions (light, water, and nutrients) the plants need.
For example, the plant chip for chili & tomato instructs Auk to provide phosphoric nutrients and warm light to promote blooming. In contrast, the herbs & salad chip promotes longer growth with less phosphor and a whiter light.
The starter kit includes the chip for herbs & salads, while the chip for chili & tomato is available in our webshop.
How is my order shipped?
All products are shipped from our European warehouse with DHL. The products are made within Europe (using as much local raw material as possible) – so VAT and taxes are included. There will be no extra charges upon delivery.
As soon as the package is sent, you will receive information about tracking and estimated delivery time. You can also choose where and when to receive the package with DHL's flexible home delivery.
If you have any questions about shipping, please contact us at support@auk.eco :)
Returns and warranty
You can try out Auk for a full 100 days after receiving your unit. That way you get a chance to taste your first harvest!
If you’re not satisfied, you can ship it back to us for a full refund. No questions asked. Over the past year, less than 0.5% have returned their order.
Dimensions & tech specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 56 cm |
| Width | 29 cm |
| Height | 35 cm (50 cm with the long plant light rods) |
| Power Supply | 1,8m cable, EU-socket |
| General Info | |
| Weight | Around 3kg |
| Water tank | 2.8 liters, refilled every second week |
| Light | Custom LED with 3 different color spectrums |
| Power Supply | 24W |
| Power Consumption | Around 6Kwh per month (0.5-1 €) |
| Materials | |
| Baseplate & pots | Biocomposite plastic |
| Plant light | Aluminum |
| Plant light rods | Pine or walnut |