![]() Your light source has to be able to be raised and lowered as your seeds sprout and grow. While LEDs are a little bit more expensive than other types of bulbs, I think they're worth it in the long run.įull-spectrum is the closest thing to natural sunlight at noon that you can have indoors thanks to their balance of red, white, and blue lights. (If you keep LEDs on for 12 hours a day, you're looking at about $2 in electricity for the month.) LEDs also don't produce that much heat, so you don't have to worry about seedlings getting too warm if they're close to the light source. LED lights are super long-lasting and energy efficient compared to fluorescent lights. The most common types of grow lights you'll find are LED lights and fluorescents. ![]() If you're shopping around on your own, look for three things that will save you time and energy and keep your seedlings much happier. What to Look for in Grow Lights for Seed Starting Indoors Let's look at some of the best options for giving seedlings the type of up-close-and-personal light they really want. It's rare for seedlings to get enough light to be fully healthy and robust from just sunlight indoors. Seedlings like their light source very close to them.Īnd before you ask, standard light bulbs that you'd use in a lamp or light fixture don't provide sufficient light for seedlings either. Or they lean over too much because they're looking for sunlight. Here's the thing: Seedlings grown indoors without artificial light tend to be leggy (or tall and narrow without many leaves). But we need our seedlings to rapidly grow into strong, healthy plants that will thrive in your garden, and overall, you’ll find better and more consistent success with artificial lights. I was convinced my seedlings would be a success in a south-facing windowsill.ĭon’t get me wrong-you can keep a plant alive in a south-facing window. This is a piece that I really got wrong when I first started and was reluctant to buy artificial lights. Your seedlings are dependent on light, but not just any kind of light: good-quality light, and lots of it. For those looking to save, DIYing your own seed starter out of egg cartons, plastic containers, or cardboard boxes is also an option.Grow Lights Are Essential to Seed Starting Indoors Your budget: Some reusable kits can cost a pretty penny, so you'll want to consider how much you're willing to shell out for yours. ![]() Your plants: Consider what you like to grow before choosing a kit: Deep-rooted plants will need more space to get started and should be placed in a kit that is specifically designed for leggier seedlings.Placing your kit next to a sunny window is best, but you can pop yours near a heat source like a fireplace, too. Seed kits also come in many different sizes, so you'll want to make sure you get a size that will fit in your home. If your home is really chilly or dark, you might want to go with a kit that has a built-in grow light and/or heating pad. Your home's size and conditions: As mentioned earlier, most seeds need plenty of heat and moisture to get started.If you go with a soil-free kit, you'll have to buy your own seed starting mix or whip one up from scratch. Kits that come with these pellets tend to be better for beginners: They're more straightforward to use and less messy to set up. Your experience level: The first decision you'll have to make is whether or not you want to use a kit that comes with a growing medium usually, peat pellets that expand when you water them.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |