shop lights vs grow lights

danieggert 2/27/2023, 1:07 pm

Hi, still looking for my 5 different compost for my first garden, but that is another whole story LOL

Reading when to start my seeds inside, I want to be ready. I live very close to Chicago.

I always overwinter some of my annuals in my dark basement, on a shelf. My son put up shop lights (LED) and I have on a timer. They look great,

I kind of want to make a DIY grow rack for my seeds. I have several empty 6' wire racks with movable shelves.

Big question.

Do I really need grow lights? Trying to keep cost down and they are not the most economical to use.

Can I use plain ol' 4' shop lights on a timer? LED or fluorescent? LED is working on my annuals but would it work for seed starting?

I tried to find info about this on the this forum but was unsuccessful. Probably user error (me)

I found several posts on You Tube and Facebook that were all positive. I am leaning this way.

Any thoughts please

Thanks

Dani in Burr Ridge

OhioGardener 2/27/2023, 1:21 pm

I bought a couple inexpensive 4' LED shop lights from Sam's Club to use over the shelves in the greenhouse for seedlings during the winter months, and they are working great. They have 5,000 Lumen, which is the important thing for intensity, and 5000 kelvins which is the important thing for the color of light.

Ironically, I just checked their web page, and they have them on sale through tomorrow.... Very Happy

https://www.samsclub.com/p/honeywell-5000-linkable-led-shop-light/prod24750364?xid=plp_product_1

danieggert 2/27/2023, 1:31 pm

Perfect,

I have to make a Costco or SAM's Club run tomorrow. Was not sure which one and now I know

Thanks

Still struggling with 5 different composts. any suggestions?

**sanderson** 2/27/2023, 9:10 pm

I use 4' 32T8 fluorescent shop lights that I bought Feb 2014. I keep them 2" above the plants.

OhioGardener 2/28/2023, 7:51 am

sanderson wrote:I use 4' 32T8 fluorescent shop lights that I bought Feb 2014. I keep them 2" above the plants.

Our local Lowe's and Home Depot are eliminating the fluorescent tubes, and increasing the number of LED tubes. All of the 4' shop lights they sell are LED. Don't know if that is due to local rules & regulations, or if it is a marketing decision.

**sanderson** 2/28/2023, 11:24 am

Yes, it's getting harder to find fluorescent lighting.

Jjean59 3/16/2023, 4:54 pm

sanderson wrote: I keep them 2" above the plants.

Is this only for Fluorescent lighting or is this for LED too? I wouldn't want to scorch the plants.

Thanks!

**sanderson** 3/17/2023, 1:53 am

Mine are fluorescent. I don't know what the distance is for LED.

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