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Re: Grow Lights, Seedling Bed Sizing, And Etc.

>I'm getting increasingly motivated from these discussions to put
>something together in my garage (after I move out some of the junk!).
>Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences!
>
>Some questions:
>
>(1) What amount of area do I need for seedling flats to start plants
>for a given garden size? (As it so happens, I have ten 4x4 beds at the
>moment.)


The amount of space you need will depend upon what you are planning to start
indoors. Plan out what you want to start (and when), then look at the
containers you will be using.  Try to plan for when you have the peak number
of plants with the containers you will be using at the time.  For me, this
occurs late April when I have all the tomatoes, peppers, and annuals growing
in 4 inch pots and 6-packs, and will be starting the melons and squashes in
3 inch peat pots and early corn in 4 inch peat pots.  Also plan on a few
extras of everything you plant. Then if one gets damaged or you get a late
frost, you aren't hurrying to the garden center for replacements.

Once you've got this figured out, you can measure the total area you will
need to light for the plants.

>(2) How much do the "real" grow lights cost?  I gather there is a
>special fixture involved, as well as special bulbs.

As for a special fixture, any good shop light will do just fine.  Avoid the
real cheap ones, they will only last for a year or so before the ballast
burns out. I have found that the 4 foot fixtures fit well with the 16"x22"
plastic trays sold for seed starting.

>(3) What exactly is the difference between grow lights and the
>various kinds of fluorescent bulbs (soft white, cool white, daylight,
>etc.)
>

As for the "grow lights" or "full spectrum" bulbs.... Well, fluorescent
fixtures emit most of their light energy in the blue-green spectrum.
Natural sunlight contains much of it's energy in the yellow-red spectrum,
which is the energy plants are designed to collect.  The full spectrum bulbs
work by using coatings which will absorb some of the UV or blue wavelengths
and re-emit them in the red spectrum.  It works to even out the energy along
the full color spectrum.

Having said that, I find it easier (and much cheaper) to use cool white
bulbs and place an incandescent light or two between fixtures.  Incandescent
lights produce most of their energy in the red wavelengths which helps to
even out the light spectrum that the plants will get.  Additionally, since
my seedling shelves are in an unheated part of my house, the incandescent
fixtures help to keep the air temperature up to around 65F, which is good
for growing most plants after germination.

Best of luck to you,

Cliff Parker
Longview Farm
Holden, ME
zone 4

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