ellen It’s time to get out the old shop light and convert the closet into the grow room. 
Here’s a list of the materials you’ll need:
- hanging florescent shop light that can be moved to adjust height
- full spectrum florescent bulbs (or you can get specific plant lights, they’re just more spendy)
- table you don’t mind getting dirty
- seedlings sprouted (hopefully you were able to start them with warmth from below, a heating pad or radiator, and sun from above, a window sill)
- automatic light timer
- ruler
- tape
- aluminum foil
- water
As the first two leaves (cotyledons) emerge, you know it’s time to move them. At this point, they need a lot of light and evenly moist bed to grow.
I hang aluminum foil on my walls to allow the light to be reflected back to the seedlings. As the plants grow taller, I add more.
Hang your light so that it is between 6-12 inches away from the top of the plants.
Set the light timer, allowing the lights to be on for 12-16 hours a day. Keep an eye on the soil. I use a spray bottle to mist the soil as to not disturb the sprouts with the force of water that can come from a watering can. As they mature, I’ll offer up more advice. As for now, enjoy the emergence of new life growing in your closet!
[…] Start seeds indoors. Starting just one small tray of seeds can give you your own organically grown plants. Start seeds you never see at the garden center. Try new varieties of peppers, tomatoes, or flowers! Make sure you read the seed packet for individual instruction. […]
[…] seed starting is off and running with multiple cherry tomatoes in dark red, blue, oranges, and yellow. Should be […]