Every year I start seeds inside, they grow too fast and get leggy, we have a late frost, the seedlings die because they fall over in their seed starting container since I can't get them enough sun...
So this year I thought why not investigate starting seedlings with lights! I've always thought it would be expensive, but I saw a DIY idea where you just take those gray concrete blocks and two boards and stack them up, then attach a flourescent light fixture to one or both of the shelves. Well that sounds easy and affordable!
Since I have hardly any money to spend I plan on buying only one light fixture for two shelves. I'll attach the light fixture to the top shelf's underside, then just rotate the seed trays every 12 hours. (Instead of having two fixtures, one under each shelf, and turning the lights on and off with a timer.)
I think it would be easier if the fixture hung from chains so you can adjust the height as the plants grow, but I can't find a cheaply priced one like that. I can always use bricks or books to raise up the seed trays at first if needed, anyway.
My questions are about the lighting. What kind of lights do I have to have for seedlings? It seems like this tutorial just used a regular florescent fixture with a regular tube bulb. Will that work? Is it strong enough for seedlings?
If not, can I buy a regular fixture like this one
and then put a certain type of bulbs in it?
I'd appreciate any advice and/or links to good sites!
So this year I thought why not investigate starting seedlings with lights! I've always thought it would be expensive, but I saw a DIY idea where you just take those gray concrete blocks and two boards and stack them up, then attach a flourescent light fixture to one or both of the shelves. Well that sounds easy and affordable!
Since I have hardly any money to spend I plan on buying only one light fixture for two shelves. I'll attach the light fixture to the top shelf's underside, then just rotate the seed trays every 12 hours. (Instead of having two fixtures, one under each shelf, and turning the lights on and off with a timer.)
I think it would be easier if the fixture hung from chains so you can adjust the height as the plants grow, but I can't find a cheaply priced one like that. I can always use bricks or books to raise up the seed trays at first if needed, anyway.
My questions are about the lighting. What kind of lights do I have to have for seedlings? It seems like this tutorial just used a regular florescent fixture with a regular tube bulb. Will that work? Is it strong enough for seedlings?
If not, can I buy a regular fixture like this one
and then put a certain type of bulbs in it?I'd appreciate any advice and/or links to good sites!
And still haven't figured out where I can cram the shelf in my small house...
