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Under the Grow Lights

March 8th, 2016

The number of plants under my grow light keeps getting bigger and bigger. I think I have around 600 plants – YIKES!!!
under the grow light
Some of these will go to a friend for her garden, most of them will go into my garden as it thaws. Many of them will be planted in the next few weeks and eaten next month. I must say, I LOVE this big grow light. I can’t believe I ever started seeds without it. It’s well worth the investment if you grow lots of plants from seeds under light!

What’s under your grow light?

11 Comments to “Under the Grow Lights”
  1. Rue on March 8, 2016 at 8:39 am

    Wow! What kind of grow light is it, Susy?

    Reply to Rue's comment

    • Susy on March 9, 2016 at 9:45 am

      This is a Metal Halide light, I got it at my local hydroponic supply store. You can read more about this specific light in this post: /2014/02/26/new-fancy-light/

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Rue on March 9, 2016 at 12:53 pm

        Thanks for the info. I think I’ll give it a try.

        to Rue's comment

  2. Nebraska Dave on March 8, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Susy, last year was the year of perfecting the grow light seed starting. This year …. not so much. I do have some onions that are looking good but the cabbages succumbed to watering neglect. I’ll be replanting them. The focus this year has been on Terra Nova Gardens and getting it ready to be planted. The expansion has taken a good portion of my time and well …. I some times forget my little seedlings. April is the big month when seedlings are started under the grow lights. Tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and such. I have one more bed to do and then I’m ready to plant. The sweet corn fortress will become the focus when the main garden beds are prepared.

    Have a great 600 seedlings under the grow lights day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  3. val on March 8, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    Oh if I only had such space. I have commandeered the dining table for peppers and tomatoes. Luckily, this early spring means I can direct sow just about everything else.

    Reply to val's comment

  4. Mrs. C. on March 8, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Yes, please, what kind of grow light is it?

    Reply to Mrs. C.'s comment

  5. Tarah on March 9, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Every article I read that talks about using grow lights says the light has to be 1-2 inches from the plants. How does this light work differently so that its so far above them? I would love to have only one.

    Reply to Tarah's comment

    • Susy on March 9, 2016 at 9:43 am

      This light isn’t fluorescent, so it puts out more lumens and more heat. It will burn plants if it’s that close. That’s why I purchased this one over the fluorescent lights. They may use less electric, but they put out fewer lumens. These bulbs also last much longer than fluorescent bulbs. When I did calculations this type of fixture ends up being cheaper to run in the long term. My seedlings are also much healthier as well, no legginess at all. The extra heat also helps with germination rates.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Tarah on March 12, 2016 at 9:57 am

        Thank you, Susy. That’s really helpful. How many seedling trays do you fit under it? I began starting seeds indoors a couple years back but last year was my first successful year. However, I still had issues with legginess. I will look into the light that you mentioned above. Thanks for all you share on your blog. I’ve learned a lot.

        to Tarah's comment

      • Susy on March 14, 2016 at 10:01 am

        I use SunGrip hangers, worth every single penny. Find them on-line, probably through a hydroponic supply. Don’t buy the cheap ones from Amazon. I love these things!!!

        to Susy's comment

  6. carmen on March 13, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Susy, love your lights, I am hoping to get them in the future when I expand my growing space, my question is what are you using to hang the lights with? did you make it yourself?

    Reply to carmen's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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