How to create a lighting/grow system

howdy!

when i first joined back in April, I saw someone had posted a link to their set up (think they put it on youtube) for growing seedlings/plants (grow light, pots, heat mat) that rivaled some of the kits that were sold for $300-600.

it was a wire rack (like they have in restaurants, I think), shop lights, etc.

another video had one that he had made out of wood and put casters and adjustable shelves.

either way, I can't find any of the specific videos I'm looking for.


can anyone guide me? thanks.

I also saw plans once for a rolling composter on a stand that you could actually use a handle and the crank/pulley belt would do the turning - but haven't been able to find it since.

don't know what i'm doing wrong as far as keywords to look it up....

SFC

This article might be some help since she addresses the kinds of light fixtures you can use. From what I can see in her photos she also is using a similar metal shelving system like mine. She included a link to making a PVC stand as well. http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/464/

A few years ago I bought a 5 shelf metal stand from Lowe's or Home Depot. It is about 48" wide and 5 shelves high. They carried a shorter one as well (3 tier, I think) but the 5 tier was perfect for my use. I put large pieces of cardboard under it to catch the soil that falls through the open metal shelves. The cardboard was what the shop lights came in. I then added 2 basic 48" shop light fixtures to each of 3 shelves.The bulbs were just regular ones, no fancy special spectrum. I know I bought S hooks to attach the chains to so I could raise them up and down but can't remember whether the fixtures came with chains or not. Of the 5 shelves 3 have lights and I use the other two for storage. I also bought one of those 6 outlet extension things (can't remember what you call them) to plug in the lights so I can control all of them at once. It ran about a total of $150 then and has worked super well for my seedlings. A couple of clear shower curtains strung all around the stand provides extra warmth when needed since the shelf is sitting on an enclosed unheated balcony porch. I cut the curtains in the front down the middle so I can have access to the shelves or roll them up when it gets warmer.

Hope this helps. I know someone else did show this on DG but I can't seem to find it either. I'll keep looking. It's what inspired me!

Jessica


This message was edited Dec 24, 2011 3:28 AM

How about some photos to show setups for starting seeds? I remember a thread that had several, but at the monent can't find it.

Here is my set up.
The upper floor has a heating matand more powerful T5 lights and everything grows much better and faster there.
I normally start germination on the upper shelf and move down the plants to the lower levels to grow.

Thanks for posting that photo, dthor. That is how my 5 tier rack looks but I have cheaper lighting. Might consider getting one set of T5 lights - sounds good. I don't start many seedlings on mine but on heating mats indoors on the floor of the bedroom. Once they sprout they are transferred immediately to the rack. I start larger seeds on wet paper towels, folded and placed in plastic ziplock bags. Once they germinate I transfer them to coir "soil" and onto the rack. Works great for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, okra, etc.

I have almost the same set-up as drthor except that we have 2 lights hanging from each shelf-all we pull chains to turn on and off. They are plugged into a gang plug that I can turn on by one switch. The advantage of have lights with pull chains is that if I am not using that particular shelf I can turn off the lights without having to figure out which one to unplug. I found that in using only one light my seedling leaned towards the middle- with 2 lights they grow straight.
We bought the rack at HD and the lights at Lowes last march- the whole thing ran us about $200+ the lights did not come with bulbs but in the long run much cheaper than the light stands sold commercially. It is a bit of a pain to raise and lower the lights- they did come with chain and S hooks but when you figure what you save by starting what you want against settling for what plants are available- I'll deal with it.
My biggest problem is hardening off all the seedling-not doing it but keeping the squirrels out of them. I'm thinking of building a raised bed with a removeable chicken wire frame over it-don't really need a "cold frame" as here in Charleston we only have cold weather for maybe a month.
I also need anyones ideas on how to keep my neighbors cats out of the raised beds I plant beets,etc. they seem to think it is their own personal litter box. I thought of tacking on chicken wire but that wouldn't allow me easy access. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Susan

We use a motion sensor water hose to deter neighborhood cats or other critters. http://www.smarthome.com/6120/Contech-Electronics-CRO-101-Scarecrow-Water-Spraying-Animal-Repeller/p.aspx



This message was edited Dec 29, 2011 7:35 AM

SoFla...

I have the same system using a 5 tier metro rack with 2, 4' shop lights (2 bulb full spectrum T lights) fixtures per shelf excluding the top and bottom shelves where I store light weight and heavy weight propagation items.

Each fixture has 2 chain hangers which I hook on the shelf wires to adjust the height over the seeded flats. I use kitchen shelf plastic liners (dirt catchers) topped with heat mats (and thermostats/timers) to keep the germinating temps in range. I also use a small circulating fan to provide air movement once the seeds have sprouted and the covers have been removed. Light and temperatures are adjusted as needed. Once seedlings can be moved outside I continue to harden them off before planting out.

There are so many factors that come into play...

Happy Gardening and Happy New Year!

Sassy

sounds just like my set-up except I do have lights on bottom shelf. Am in the market this year for heat mats at a reasonable price if anyone has gotten a bargain. So far I just use 2 old heating pads- the old ones don't shut off unless you turn them off. I also run my ceiling fan for air circulation. I'm lucky, had a spare bedroom that I turned into my craft/plant room and have a huge workbench in the garage to work on. I keep my planting soils in the garage- found they got mouldy if left in the house. Happy New year Susan

Cornish2175,

Here is a link to Amazon which has really great prices for these 3 sizes: 20 x 20 = $33.29 48 x 20 = $55.99 9 x 19.5 = $21.99
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MT10006--19-1-2-Inch-Seedling/dp/B0001WV010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302398092&sr=8-1

You have to click on the box with the size you are interested in to see the price change.
Remember that Amazon does not charge shipping for orders over $25 so that makes these mats a great deal!! I own 2 of the 20" x 20" and paid more than that for them with the shipping from other companies.

This message was edited Dec 29, 2011 6:46 PM

never thought of looking on Amazon-buy from them all the time. Thanks so much for the link. Susan

thanks Rich, just added it to my list- funny that most of the reviews were for keeping snake tanks warm. Don't dislike snakes but not my idea of a pet. Happy New Year Susan

this yr (2012) im going to splurge and get a wire rack and T5 light fixtures..
ive always made make shift shelves i have around..its worked but raising./lowering the lights
depending on seedling/plant progress has always made it difficult..
heating pad is great idea too..with a thermostat..so i can raise temp to get seeds germinating faster..
amazon does have great prices..and free shipping is extra plus !!1
looking foward to new yr..and new gardening experiences !!!
thanks to all for posts here..great ideas !!!!

I already have a wire rack, but what's a T5 fixture? Can I just use a regular shop light valance from Home Depot/Lowe's and use a 'grow' bulb?

also - just thought of those heating mats for reptiles at the pet store - think those would work?

Here's my set-up.

Wooden shelves on concrete blocks, two 48" Home Depot shop light kits per shelf (total 4 lights per shelf). Regular cool white fluorescent lights, cuz the case was on sale.

No heat mats. Seeds sown in very warm potting mix (sterilized in an old microwave), watered in with warm water, shoved into drawstring bags vented for a bit of air circulation, and flats placed in the dark on the floor of the warmest room in my house.

212 seeds sown in January.
212 seeds germinated in 6 days
208 healthy tomato seedlings
4 runty casualties, cuz I just got tired of potting up...

Linda, practicing the tomato dance that starts again in the morning... ^^_^^

This message was edited Jan 1, 2012 11:02 PM

Here are seed trays I started on August 6, 2011. You can see the condensation build-up from the warmth inside the bags. Self-watering system.

This message was edited Jan 1, 2012 6:39 PM

And, here are those seedlings today.

great set up there gymgirl..!!!
i lived in houston a million yrs ago.. i remember planting out tomatoes
in feb.. i couldnt believe i could put tomatoes out that early..LOL

FYI- shipping not always free at Amazon. Was going to order 4 heat mats yesterday but they charged me almost $14. for shipping. Link said because it came from an outside vendor. Do not object to paying shipping- do have to pay from many vendors I deal with but will have to rethink this purchase especially since it means more plugs to plug in. I already have 8 lights and 1 heating pad plugged into 1 outlet- worry that I will overload.

My house is always cool which is great 8 months out of 12 with our heat- was thinking of getting an electic heater for my plant room to raise the air temp. I started vegetable and herb seeds on the 26th and most of them have sprouted already - the only bottom heat coming from 1 old heating pad I move back and forth under the 2 flats. Soon I will start the flowers and then it becomes 8 flats.

Anyone have luck this way? thanks Susan

I have interesting problem - i don't have room inside to do seedlings.

outside patio covered, screened in, but with southern exposure. I've tried jiffy pots/greenhouse left on south side on a rack, and most of the stuff will germinate. But tried to germinate cooler weather plants, and it took a long time to do it because it was too hot.

I do want to get mats to regular temperature, but is there a mat or something to cool it down?

Try to store the seed in the refrigerator for 2 weeks before planting.
I use this method to start Spinach and Cilantro here in Dallas.

>> keeping the squirrels out of them.

>> ideas on how to keep my neighbors cats out of the raised beds ...
>> they seem to think it is their own personal litter box.

Cats in my neighborhood stay out if I put down a lot of coffee grounds. I don't know yet if that works with squirrels, but cayenne pepper seems to help a little ... until the first rain.

I put down a thick layer as compost & winter mulch, but maybe less would work.

>> I'm thinking of building a raised bed with a removeable chicken wire frame over it

Too bad you don;t need a cold frame, becuase you will already have done 90% of the work! Maybe just at night, to start tomatoes a few weeks earlier? Extend a warm-weather crop harvest? Fresh tomatoes in mid-winter?
Keep rain off seedheads so saved seeds don't get moldy?

I guess it is better just plain not to need something!

A lot of coffee grounds go into my compost but never tried just spreding them on top. Red pepper flakes work very well in my planters to keep the squirrels out- just re-apply when the flakes look washed out.

Looks like chicken wire is my last and only option but as the soil in the raised beds come to the top we will have to build up a frame of pvc to keep the wire off the seedlings as the emerge. Funny thing is that once the seedings are up and established the cats do not bother it. Guess it is the allure of a big empty(to them) bed. Just need to get my butt in gear and get it done. I need to plant my beets and radish within the next few days.

Thanks everyone for your help and support- will let you know my progress. Susan

Since this thread is How to create growing systems, I hope it's OK to add my setup. I have a small (4x6ft) greenhouse on my tiny back deck. I use it for starting seeds and growing seedlings for my garden. I have been a recycler all my life-don't ever throw anything usable away. The photos I am posting show my heat mat setup using repurposed styrofoam grape crates from my WinCo store. When I put the heat mat on the styrofoam there was an immediate difference in the watmth. I am using old refrigerator crisper bins for a cover to hold heat- it is raised a little for air to move. Then I have more styro around the sides to create a mini climate within the greenhouse. At this time I don't have the heater running, but as soon as there are seedlings under lights the heater will get turned on.I have BokChoy, lettuce and 2 kinds of cabbage going right now.

This one shows the mini flats and my fig cuttings-Shoe, you can see the one that has leaves!

I use these refrigerator crisper bins to mix and store my potting mediums.

Great! Recycling at its finest, Jo!

I bet that styrofoam really helps out, too, doesn't it. I bet you'll have a bumper germination!

Keep that camera handy, I think you'll be wanting to take lots more pics!

Shoe