Most timers have memory functions that give you the option of turning on for 4, 8, or 12 hours every day. All you have to do is program your lights to turn on and off at the same times each day, and then check to make sure the timer is working. Look for lights with a timer or remote to simplify your life. You can easily maneuver wand lights over your seed starting trays, or you can go with a more formal setup like mine, where your lights hang over your shelves and can be raised and lowered with a chain or pulley system.And Come with a Built-In Timer You'll want your light source very close to the seeds as they're just starting to germinate, and then, as the seeds grow, you'll want to be able to raise the light source to give the leaves more room. 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. Grow Lights Are Essential to Seed Starting Indoors
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