Homemade Seed Starting System

Homemade Seed Starting System

In order to start seeds, you need a couple of essential tools, namely trays where the seeds will grow, soil, and lights. There are too many seed starting systems to count available for purchase online. However, because these can get pricey, last year Josh and I invented our own contraption. It consists of:

• 1 freestanding shelving system
• 5-shelves
• 42 inches long x 16 wide x 70 tall
• If possible, shelves should have holes on both sides for ease of hanging lights
  
• 3 hanging florescent shop light fixtures 
• 2 florescent lights bulbs per fixture
• 48 inches long - these come in all sizes, but the standard 48 inch long bulbs are by far the least expensive making these fixtures the most economical
  
• 6 florescent light bulbs
• 3 warm spectrum (2,500-3,000 kelvin)
• 3 cool spectrum (5,000-6,500 kelvin)
  
• 1 warm and 1 cool go in each shop light fixture to provide a full spectrum of light for the plants - note: you can also buy "gro-lights" which have the full spectrum in a single bulb, but they're expensive so if you're looking for an economical way to go, try a two bulbed approach
  
• Plastic drop cloth



Seed Starting Trays (pieces - top; assembled - bottom)

• Big enough to wrap around the system, trapping the heat from the lights inside
• Thermometer (to keep on a shelf, making sure it doesn't get too cold)
• Power strip (each fixture has its own cord)
• Electrical timer (so you don't have to manually turn lights on and off)
  
• Basic 4-part tray system (pictured to right)
  
• Tray of divided potting containers
• Solid black insert/water reservoir
• Stiff green bottom tray
• Plastic dome cover

And that's it! ... in theory. Tomorrow I'll share my first attempt this season to simulate nature and grow eggplant and a few miscellaneous herbs in my basement.