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RE: Grow-lights...

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

My husband created a unit for me using a metal shelving unit with
pulp-board shelves.  The unit is 48" wide, 24" deep and 72" tall with 5
shelves.  This unit, outfitted with 2-bulb shop lights, 2 per shelf will
accommodate 4 flats per shelf.  The lights are hung from the top of each
shelf on chains that can easily be adjusted to accommodate the height of
the growing plants.  

The shelving unit itself cost about $90, the shop lights $8 apiece.
With timers, extension cords and two shower curtains hung around the
unit, it would cost just over $200 to fully outfit with lights, much
cheaper than purchasing a unit with similar capacity designed
specifically for the purpose.  

Because the top of the unit is one of the pulp-board shelves, it was
possible to insert hooks spaced at the same intervals as the holes in
the shower curtain on which to hang the curtain.  This allows me to pull
the curtain aside to get into the unit, the curtain being folded back on
itself and hung on the hooks.  I use a plastic shower curtain (liner)
because it is clear, enabling me to take a quick look at the plants
without having to open the curtain.  It also allows for the retention of
heat and humidity, which is important for me because my unit is in a
basement area that is only heated to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and has
about a 20% humidity level.  The temperatures rise to 75 to 78 degrees
when the lights are on and drop to about 65 when the lights are off,
mimicking late spring temperatures in our area.

I currently have only two shelves set up with lights, the rest of the
shelves are used to hold supplies; water, fertilizer, growing medium,
tools, etc.  After pricing plant light units in catalogs, this system
has proven to be an affordable option.  I also find that creating
something to fill a need or solve a problem provides much greater
satisfaction than buying something.


-----Original Message-----
From: Olin [m*@worldnet.att.net]
Sent: Friday, April 16, 1999 12:17 PM
To: sqft list
Subject: Re: Grow-lights...


Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

I also use metal shelves with shop lights.  But I wrap white bed sheets
around the whole thing.  -Olin

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Isler <ldywind@clark.net>
>
>I use metal shelves with shop lights......and then wrap the back and
sides
>completely in aluminum foil.  Works pretty good.....:o)
> ..


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