When I first started using seeds to start my garden, I attempted to grow them in window sills. I had some luck, but mostly it was a crap shoot. Some plants turned out fine, others were spindly, but rebounded once they were outside, and honestly, the majority never became healthy plantable veggie starts. Several years ago, I decided to invest in some grow lights, and it has seriously made all of the difference.
I know that grow lights are kind of a hefty up front expense. I get it. BUT, I promise, they will totally pay off. If you are going to garden for say, more than two seasons, starting your seeds under grow lights will not only give you waaaay more consistent results, but the resulting plants will be stronger, healthier, and cheaper than vegetable starts you buy at the store.
A packet of seeds, when stored properly, can provide you a garden for several seasons for a couple of bucks. And, believe me, I get it, the sunlight coming in through your window is free…but, the seedlings will not thrive if you get several cloudy days in a row. When I used the sunlight, I always compensated by planting way, way more seedlings than I knew I needed, simply because the results varied. That cost me time, water, seed starting mix, etc. In the long run, I probably purchased at least a grow light with the waste from unfruitful seed starting.
The best part, for me at least, about having the grow lights, is that I can totally jump start my gardening season. I start my tomatoes in February. Starting my seeds so early means that by the time I transplant my starts outside, I have big, sturdy plants that are well on their way to producing. Starting plants from seed, in general, also means that I get to grow heirloom varieties, that would be hard to find at a nursery or big box store.
I have three of these grow lights. I LOVE them. They have yielded really consistent results–so much so, that I am still getting used to not having to plant more than I need. Since I got them, I have had to give excess starts to neighbors every year {except of course, when the HH forgets to water them while I am out of town}.
If you’ve committed to making gardening your thing, seriously, I cannot stress enough how much grow lights will change the game. It’s a one time purchase for season after season of produce–I think it’s a pretty small price to pay long term.
I know lots of you out there already use them–I’d love to know if you think they are as worth it as I do.
~Mavis
Shirley says
The ready made ones can be pricy but you can make these set ups your self if you have even the most basic of carpentry skills. Buying a double bar fluorescent light on sale and then switching out one light is the big saver. You can use plain ordinary fluorescent bulbs as long as you have one cool white bulb and the other warm white. That will provide the correct light spectrum. Google plant starting stands. A big thing is the distance of the light source to the plant surface. I have been doing this for years with my home made stand and recycled light fixtures! I start flower seeds and veggie seeds. We live in zone 2b or 3 depending on whose map you use so my tomato seeds are started on April 1st and go into the ground by the end of May. Not quite the Seattle season! The temperature here yesterday with the wind chill was -41C. I love your blog, read it every day and always look for your Friday movie night suggestion!
Kari says
Do you also use the hydrofarm timer with that, or what do you use?
Kerry C says
I have what is called a solar room on the side of my house. It is a room that has one wall that is completely windows. I have been starting my plants in there. On sunny days the plants get a ton of light and it can get up to 100 degrees in there. On overcast days, the plants don’t get so much light and the temperature hangs around 45 degrees. I live in SE Idaho and we have a good mix of sunny days and overcast days. Do you think I need grow lights in this situation? I love to garden and plan to do it for many more years.
Michele says
Hi Mavis, My husband has a large old florescent light on arm. Can I use that for a “grow” light? Is there something special about the bulbs in the light fixtures you use?
thanks!
Laura says
I think I need some kind of grow light for my fruit trees that I bring in during winter. I don’t have a window in my house that gets good lighting so they struggle pretty bad while they are inside. Would you suggest the light you use for this problem? They are about 5′ tall and I have about 5 trees to cover. Thanks!
Amanda says
How long do the light bulbs last and where do you get a replacement?
Mavis says
It depends on the brand of light. I have some I’ve never had to replace yet. You can get replacements at most hardware stores or Home Depot types.
Libby says
Hi Mavis!
Can you give a tutorial about how to set these up and use these? What kind of space do you put them in? When do you turn them on and off? Thanks Mavis!
Mavis says
Libby, check out this post for help on getting started with grow lights: http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/how-to-start-seeds-using-grow-lights/. Hope that helps!
Deborah from FL says
Following your lead, I got a grow light 2 years ago from Amazon. I love it!! And I got bulbs (and replacements!) from Walmart in the home improvement section. Best investment ever. 🙂
Mavis says
They really are a great investment. So glad you’re liking them!
teresa says
Yes I use the regular double shop light with one warm and one cool. I have done this for 3 years and it works great! I also use a heating pad on low at night and when its extra chilly. It is January 18 and my onions and peppers have popped up already, I will plant them in April. We live in zone 7b. Really like your blog. Thanks!
Lara says
Could I grow micro greens under these? Basically they would never go outside, Bc we would eat them? I think I could sell my husband on this idea if it meant year round greens
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes you can Lara. 🙂
Grant says
I made a system of grow lights from 1″ PVC and a couple of $14, 4′, 2 bulb florescent shop lights from the big box. Total cost was about $50. They are totally adjustable from 4″ up to 4′ height. I can share photos if there are and diy folks out there!
jay says
You don’t need to send a lot of money on these. In fact, if you look into DIY aquarium lighting, you can find designs for excellent lights for a fraction of store bought “grow lights”. You don’t need metal halide or anything super heavy duty to grow most home garden seeds. I use a lighting kit I bought meant for aquarium, and it perfectly sits over a 72 seed tray, and it cost around $150. The bulbs are about $20 a piece, I use 2, so I spend $40 a year on bulbs after the initial building. It’s worth such a small investment if you can do follow basic instructions to do the wiring.
Joan Sullivan says
I put dryer lint in the bottoms of my seed starter trays. In other words, dryer lint first, then the seed starter mix, then plant the seed.
The line helps retain the water/ moisture and I don’t need to water as often.
Also I put lint in the dug hole in garden bed before transplanting.