This is late, sorry, built it about 3 weeks ago but didn't get around to uploading my camera pics.
Anyway, with instructions from The Cheap Vegetable Gardener I made my own LED Grow Box. I recommend following his instructions, they are good. Here are some pics of the construction:
measuring out the size for drilling
my spade bit made a nice little collar that helps hold the lights steady w/out glue
almost done with drilling, yes I use unsafe methods...
hmmm, my 70 LED set has 75 lights...
she's a bit purty in use...
I used LED xmas lights 50% off two weeks after New Year's. I couldn't fin a set of just blue LEDs, but I got a multicolor one which I haven't added to this yet.
So far I like it. The first week I made it I had also sowing seeds indoors and several sprouted within days. It was still in the 40's overnight so I brought them all into the box from about 8pm-7am. I think it really did help, but I can't say for sure it's boosting my babies. Perhaps an experiment with a control set of seedlings is in order...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love The Cheap Vegetable Gardener and I was thinking of building one as well, but just haven't done it. I shall be following to see how it goes for you.
I would agree. Set up a control group to compare.
Mary, I do believe you ARE a mad scientist! Those little test tube things, and the compost,your very disciplined calendar,and is that a lighted litter box with the LED's?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for following my 365 Bird blog, and thanks for the comment about the bird house painting. Theresa Loe has the real thing. Be sure to check out her blog.
You guys are so lucky to be able to garden all year long. We have to wait til Mother's Day here in Colorado to plant outside. And by October we've often got snow again.
Peggy T.
@ Luis - I just sowed two sets of strawberry seeds indoors so I shall probably be using them for a little control experiment :)
ReplyDelete@ Peggy - Yes, I get a little more eccentric in my gardening each week it seems... But not all that organized yet. I do love your bird project!
Mary - try to think of adding some sort of small fan to the box - air movement will insure you don't get damping off on your little seedlings - an oscillating fan will help the seedlings develop more stocky stems. I love starting seeds indoors and getting the jump on everyone! david
ReplyDelete@ Gardenmaster - Thank you, I saw that mentioned somewhere last week. But I think it's a little much for my box. I'm in LA and the weather is very fair in the days so I've been putting my babes outdoors all day and only bringing the very tender ones into the box at night. I think they will be ok as it is.
ReplyDeleteCool, I've been wanting to try this for the past three years. I'll be keeping tabs on how it works for you.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a really cool light box! I'm definitely going to have to try this. I already have a grow box that uses rope lights for bottom heat.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a really cool light box! I'm definitely going to have to try this. I already have a grow box that uses rope lights for bottom heat.
ReplyDeleteMary - try to think of adding some sort of small fan to the box - air movement will insure you don't get damping off on your little seedlings - an oscillating fan will help the seedlings develop more stocky stems. I love starting seeds indoors and getting the jump on everyone! david
ReplyDeleteMary, I do believe you ARE a mad scientist! Those little test tube things, and the compost,your very disciplined calendar,and is that a lighted litter box with the LED's?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for following my 365 Bird blog, and thanks for the comment about the bird house painting. Theresa Loe has the real thing. Be sure to check out her blog.
You guys are so lucky to be able to garden all year long. We have to wait til Mother's Day here in Colorado to plant outside. And by October we've often got snow again.
Peggy T.
y'know after this year of oops I reconsidering the use of a mini fan for my grow box, and a not too large one for my outdoor seeding off area. For the outdoor one I'd also like to find one with an adapter plug to hook up to a solar kit. Any suggestions on the size/model of fan?
ReplyDelete