Wild Green Garden Consulting
Join me on Facebook
  • Home
  • Consultations
  • Permaculture Design
  • Yard Transformations
  • Videos and Tips
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Wild Things
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • About
  • In the News

Should you invest in a Grow Light?

3/29/2016

 
Picture
I love it when I get many uses out of equipment I purchase because it just makes good sense, reduces clutter and saves money. So when it comes to a grow light, you need to think about:
- How often will you use this light?
- How many different ways can this light serve you?
- What is the right size for your purposes and where will you store it when it’s not in use?
 
In my case, the answers to the above questions are as follows. I have a 22 inch Sunblaster T-5 fluorescent light with a Universal T-5 light stand. I use the light for microgreens when I want to grow many trays and I have run out of space near a window. I also grow some herbs in the winter under this light, and starting in March, I use it to grow seedlings. Plus, having the grow light with some plants near my work desk is a nice boost during dark winter days. So here are 4 uses for an approx. $90 investment. I can take the frame apart and store it in a box with other seasonal gardening materials.
 
The T-5 fluorescent tubes are energy efficient and work best with a reflector. Extra light can be bounced back to the plants when set up near a white wall or by placing mirrors strategically.
 
There are a few options for stands and also light length, typically either 2 feet or 4 feet long. The Universal T-5 light stand works well and the Jumpstart T-5 Grow Light is similar in price but has a fixed frame with a nice pulley system for raising the light bulb. Many garden centres in Edmonton have the bulb/fixture/reflector, but you have to check around a bit for a stand. I have personally seen the Jumpstart system at Apache Seeds and the Universal stand at the Root Seller, but you can call other places to check.

Janet Smith
3/29/2016 09:11:07 pm

Lee Valley has a very expensive but very good light and three tiered stand system.

Claudia
3/31/2016 08:58:56 am

Yes, thanks Janet. The stand and lights are very well constructed and I can see that being worth the money for people who grow a lot of plants.

Darwin Crew link
8/6/2016 09:13:06 pm

Being new to this wonderful and resourceful site, as well as a fledgling in growing my own garden.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Claudia is exploring and sharing permaculture ideas in Edmonton.

    Categories

    All
    Cold Frame
    Composting
    Container Growing
    Extending The Season
    Extreme Weather
    Farming
    Food
    Fruit Trees
    Harvest
    Herbs
    Indoor Growing
    Lasagna Garden
    Native Plants
    Perennial Greens
    Permaculture Principles
    Pests
    Pollinators
    Root Cellar
    Row Cover
    Seeds
    Sheet Mulching
    Soil Tips
    Supporting Plants
    Vegetables
    Wildlife

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    March 2021
    September 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    March 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    September 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

© 2022 Wild Green Garden Consulting
Sign Up     Home     Consultations     Permaculture Design