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Re: grow lights

I have used two four foot long light setups for years. The base of the growing
area is a large old discarded wooden kitchen table. On this table sets two
wooden blocks each with a hole  drilled halfway into them as a base for one
inch metal piping. The piping measures three feet on each side and is bent to
create a 4-1/2 foot level top.
I hang the old double tube shop light with wings from small chains, one on
each side from hooks that screw into holes drilled into the piping on the
level top.

I use a regular fluorescent four foot long 40 watt cool white bulb and a Vita-
Lite 40 wat Power-Twist bulb. I have two of these grow light set ups next to
each other on the table.

I love this set up. With the chains I can lower the individual light or just
the end of one light set up to accomodate the height of various plants. The
light should be only four inches away from the plant tops. I have a timer on
the plug in switch so they turn on at 6 am and off at 8 pm. The cherry
tomatoes love this lighting. 

My plants thrive under these lights regardless of the season. I thrive when
I'm near these lights too. I think it wards off the winter blahs. My electric
bill is not affected by the lights so it must not take much electricity. I've
had this set up for six years now. 

This set up does take up a bit of room. But I have found that to have veggies
growing year round in my living room such an asset to me that I have made a
permanent home for the lights in my living room. The lights and the plants
(twelve foot long cherry toms weaving in and out of shaped tomato wire) are a
delightful conversation piece. Literally everyone who visits would like a
version of this set up in their home. 

PS. Warn the teens who are having a sleepover on the living room floor that
the lights will come on at a certain time. A bright light on at 6 am when they
expect to sleep in until 11 am is a bit upsetting to them. I wonder why?????

Sincerely,
Lorrie
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