Easy grow light stand made from scrap lumber! Don't buy one of those $100 grow lights, build this grow light stand to go with our DIY grow light video. Homemade grow lights have always been funky, but with this grow light stand, and our easy grow lights built from cheap shop lights, you won't have to have this mess of lights and cords and rope to hang grow lights above your plant seedlings.
I built this light stand out of scrap lumber I had in the garage, if you don't have any, ask your neighbors or walk around the neighborhood on trash day, I bet you'll find free wood to build this. You'll need some chain as well, which you can get from the local hardware store.
What I like about this grow light rig is that you don't have to hang lights from the ceiling or some kludged together mess of ropes and wood. The side braces allow the light to be adjusted up as the seedlings start to grow. I've also got an idea for a stacked version of the grow light stand, so you can put one on top of the other and save space. neat.
What kind of bulbs should you use in grow lights? I use regular old warm white or cool white fluorescent bulbs. Other may disagree with this, but here's my thinking, we're not growing plants, we're starting seedlings, and the light output of these inexpensive lights works fine for me. Its been suggested not to mix the kinds of bulbs you use in a grow light made from shop lights, it can make the ballast wear out faster.
Check out our special Seed Starting How To page here.
What are your ideas for grow lights? let us know below:
Tonia Moxley
Video cuts off after about the first third.
Tonia Moxley
Excellent project! I may run out and build one of these this weekend.
Justin Deri
OSB is cheap, but how about some hardware cloth or wire mesh so water can drain through. Great stuff, Eric!
Tonia Moxley
I FINALLY found one of those handy pilot-hole drill/driver attachments. I can't wait to use it this weekend.
jenna
hi eric- thanks for the info- have you ever ordered seeds from 'seeds of change'? they're all organic and the company also has garden supplies. when i save my own seeds from plants that i grow,i notice that each generation of plants seem to adapt to the climate a little better.lol,like the theory of evolution. seedsofchange.com
i've had a lot of success using them.
Debbie H
This was awesome. My son had bought one of those $100 lights for my birthday one year. I needed another one! This video will help me get one made.
Maury
I built one of these last week and it is totally awesome!!! In the germinated list I already have basil ( 2 kinds), tomatoes, 4 oclocks, forget me not's and a berry bearing vine we borrowed some seeds from from Williamsburg (they didnt need them : ) I have epilepsy and am somewhat of a shut in and this is incredibly therapeutic for me. I am thinking about building a second story to the growing area with a new set of lights...I am out of room of the 1st floor! Thanks Eric. You have become my virtual buddy in cyber-space.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
great to hear Maury, and glad you built the Grow Lights! eric.
Jerry
I built it this weekend and it works well. How do I send you a picture of it, what is your email?
Eric
@jerry great! [email protected]
Mike
Great idea. Everyone has some kind of lumber laying around. For starting seed, I use the foil basting pans 12x18" so you don't have to worry about dripping. Just don't over water
Eric
@mike, good to hear Mike, i like the idea of using the basting pans. thx!