Starting an Indoor Greenhouse
- 1). Assemble a three- or four-shelf rack that has openings or grids in the shelves. Set it in a room with adequate natural lighting, even though you will provide fluorescent light as well.
- 2). Insert fluorescent bulbs into the shop lights. Hang the lights from the holes in the shelf grids and from the ceiling if you plan to put plants on the top shelf. Install one light for each shorter shelf and two lights for each longer shelf. Hang the lights with the chains provided with them, setting each one as close to the shelf below as possible.
- 3). Plug the lights into a power strip and plug the power strip into a timer. Set the timer to operate the lights for 18 hours. Plug it into an electrical outlet.
- 4). Fill seed flats with planting medium. Plant your seeds at the depth recommended on the seed packages. Water the seeds and cover the flats with clear plastic covers.
- 5). Arrange the seed flats on the shelves. Adjust the lights so they don't touch the plastic covers.
- 6). Remove the plastic covers as soon as seedlings emerge. Position the lights farther from the flats as the plants grow. Rotate the flats periodically to keep the plants growing straight.
- 7). Transplant the seedlings to the garden as soon as growing conditions permit.
