of greenhouses and grow lights

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-25-2009, 04:00 PM

It's taken a little while to get DH on board with the whole garden thing, first composting, enlarging it every year, then the tiller, but this year finally did it. We had such good yield now he is ready to rush out and get me a greenhouse to start seedlings in and set me up with some grow lights for the basement.

Does anyone know of any websites with good seed starter/grow light setups you can make yourself? If DH has detailed instructions (he is an engineer) he will build it for me.

**Grainlady** · 09-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Check: Mother Earth - http://www.motherearthnews.com/

I live in a rural community where a question like yours would quickly mean a trip to the Cooperative Extension Service (aka County Extension Office). Our Extension Service is associated with Kansas State University. We have a great County Extension Horticulture Agent I'd go to for more information, plans and ideas.

**frugalfranny** · 10-01-2009, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Does anyone know of any websites with good seed starter/grow light setups you can make yourself? If DH has detailed instructions (he is an engineer) he will build it for me.

This isn't exactly what you are looking for but they have all sorts of parts that you may need when you build..........not the cheapest website but very honorable.......I have returned stuff to them with NO PROBLEM. My sister bought a greenhouse from them.

http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/

**paul wheaton** · 12-26-2009, 11:57 PM

If you are going to build a greenhouse, please, please, please do not build it where it will be in the winter shade. It seems that over the last two years, nearly every greenhouse I have seen was in the winter shade.

**starlighthill** · 12-30-2009, 09:13 AM

Does anyone know of any websites with good seed starter/grow light setups you can make yourself? If DH has detailed instructions (he is an engineer) he will build it for me.[/QUOTE]

We have one built from PVC pipe. It has 3 shelves and can comfortably hold 9 seed trays with 2 shop lights suspended above each shelf. It wasn't low cost, but it's sturdy, indestructible and doubles as a dandy clothes drying rack in the winter. I pull it in front of the furnace and load it up with wet clothes. I like to sprout grain for the chickens in the winter and the bottom shelf holds the grain soaking trays.
I'll see if I can get a decent picture after chores and figure out what schedule pipe it's made from.
The first year I went all out and paid for expensive plant lighting and later discovered that cheap flourescent works as well.
Diane

**itlw8** · 12-30-2009, 03:03 PM

really just plain floresent bulbs.... well I'll be looks like I can expand my see starting I have a fixture I can use in the shop

**Pemberleyan** · 12-30-2009, 03:12 PM

I don't have a greenhouse anymore, but used to have one at our former house. It was built by DH out of PVC pipes, cement blocks, and siding at each end for stability, for a fraction of what most of the pre-fab and manufactured ones cost.

**starsapphire** · 12-30-2009, 03:23 PM

The website instructables dot com has alot of posts on how to build greehouses, just type greehouse in the search bar. Not so much for grow lights, but a few. Good luck!

**starlighthill** · 12-31-2009, 05:29 PM

I haven't forgotten about the picture of the plant stand, but am having a difficult time with the camera. I hope to get some help tonight or tomorrow.
Diane