Grow Light System

Want to grow your own wildlife-attracting plants from seed?

Explore the basic gear for starting seeds at home.

The Basics

If you want to start seeds indoors, then you need the following for the best results:

1. A fluorescent light fixture with bulbs, adjustable height
2. A warm place
3. Soil or a soil-less growing medium
4. A growing rig, including containers for seed, a clear cover, etc.

1. Light

The Fixture

Grow Light System

You need more than a sunny windowsill. You need a light fixture and bulbs.

You can buy a commercial product, or hang a workshop light yourself.

Plenty of do-it-yourself plans abound on the Internet, like this one or a larger one.

Adjustable

When building your own, you'll need to adjust the height of the light fixture. You can use rope or small chain.

Hang the fixture from under a kitchen cabinet (over the kitchen counter) by small hooks, from a higher wire shelf by s-hooks, or spend the money for a self-standing frame that holds the fixtures.

2. Location

You'll want a location you'll remember to check daily, one that's fairly warm (or learn about heating mats).

Consider a kitchen counter, a bathroom shelf, a wire shelf unit, or even a table in a warm basement.

3. Growing Medium

Germinating Mix

Seeds germinate and grow best in a special medium. Don't use regular potting soil or dirt from outside.

You can try the tricky task of making your own growing medium, or buy a quality product.

4. The Growing Rig

Ideally, you want:

• A growing rig consisting of individual cells or pots for 1-2 seeds that fits under the light fixture you've chosen
• A larger container below the growing rig that acts as a water well for the growing plants
• A wicking material that transfers water from the well to the growing medium
• A clear plastic lid that traps moisture over the growing rig

The wicking material isn't absolutely necessary but very helpful, as keeping the growing medium evenly moist is difficult without it.

You don't need individual pots, but dividing out seedlings from one large pot is a bit more tricky.

The clear cover aids in seed germination.

Build Your Own

You can build your own growing rig fairly easily. Here are some homemade ideas:

• Plastic pie pan and twine
• Plastic salad container
• Margarine dish and mop string

Buy Your Own

And here are some commercial products to compare:

Advanced Propagation System

Burpee Ultimate Seed Starting System

Deep-Root Seedstarting System

If you have a rig but need small pots for individual seedlings, you can make your own or buy some simple pots.