We use solid drip trays under everything. Seed Drip Trays ~ The pots will need to drain, and drip trays are essential for watering.Seed Starting Pots ~ Our preference is 5” square pots to allow our seedlings plenty of root space, but use whatever you’re comfortable, including paper pots or soil blocks.The lights should be kept as close to the seedlings as possible, so add more “S” hooks to lower the lights when the seedlings are small, and then remove them to raise the lights as the seedlings grow.
S-Hooks ~ Small metal “S” hooks are used to suspend the lights below the shelves.Attaching it to the wall a bit away from where you’re watering your seedlings will avoid accidents. Still, when you’ve got water and electricity anywhere near each other it’s not a bad idea. Surge Protector ~ Not strictly necessary, especially if you can tether the lights together so you only need one plug.Full-spectrum grow lights are required for long term indoor growing, like if you expect to grow lemon trees or rosemary indoors year-round, but seed starting and/or microgreens only requires basic shop lights. They’re inexpensive and can be tethered together so that you only need one plug for 4 or 5 lights on the shelf. Shop Lights ~ Believe it or not, simple and efficient LED shop lights are perfect for seed starting.We use this same shelving to store home canned goods in our basement later once the harvest comes in, so we have at least a dozen of these shelves on our homestead…they’re so useful! Adjustable Metal Shelving ~ This durable shelving is perfect for supporting seedlings in a small space, and the adjustable hights mean you can change the number of shelves later depending on what you’re growing.Here’s what we used to build our own homemade grow light setup for seed starting (and microgreens): We grow at least a dozen varieties every winter, and mixed together they make wonderful fresh salads even when it’s -20 degrees outside. Still, my DIY grow light rack is still hard at work growing food for my family, in the form of microgreens. It’s too early to start seeds in our cold climate, since our last frost is usually sometime in early June. I’m writing this in January, which is when much of the country is getting their seeds started. Sure, $300 sounds like a lot for a seed starting setup, but with our large garden this beauty easily paid for itself in the first year, and I hope to be using it for the next decade.Ī seed packet usually costs around $2 to $4, often for 100+ seeds, but the nursery charges around $4 per seedling…it doesn’t take long to make your money back starting your own seeds.
We use ours year-round, growing microgreens during the offseason and starting literally hundreds of seeds each spring. After a little research, I was able to set up my own DIY grow lights on adjustable shelving for under $300, and I’ve been using it for years now. Gardener’s Supply sells beautiful grow light shelf setups, but at $900 for a three-shelf unit, I knew I could make my own for a lot less.
Beyond that, the temperatures never quite consistent enough for healthy seedlings, too hot during the daytime and too cold at night. Even with our attached greenhouse here in Vermont, we still don’t get quite enough light for healthy seedlings each spring. Starting seeds at home can be tricky, especially in northern climates with short winter days (and cold windowsills). DIY grow lights are easier than you think! No need to spend a lot of money when cheap grow lights get the job done, and look beautiful at the same time.
0 kommentar(er)
