10+ Essential Seed Starting Lighting Tips: Basic White LED Shop Light Work on A Budget!

[@kburkes4245]

I used a shiny mylar blanket around my shelf and it worked well both to keep seeds warm and amplify the grow lights. Worked well.

[@margaretderen2082]

Yes, me too! Package of 12 is economical.

[@genevabrown450]

Yup, survival blankets at wall mart, 3$ in the camping section...

[@plasticookies]

Fyi - lots of resources online say that mylar is actually not a very good reflector. Matte white paint or just white paper is actually better.

[@sherrywood8693]

I am growing lettuce under LED shop lights with great success. First time and I love having fresh lettuce! Thanks for great advice 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@sherrywood8693]

@@jeannie8669 12 to 14 hours

[@Origamigal101]

Perfect timing, I’m setting up my seed starting shelves now haha. Thank you as always for the tips!

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

I use an excel spreadsheet to list all my seedlings. Each seed tray is marked with a letter and each row (or six pack) in the tray with a number. Since I reuse the same (type of) trays over and over, it's just a matter of changing the spreadsheet from what was planted before to what's going in next. This saves me a lot of time because the spreadsheets can be filled out long before anything is planted and more than one copy can be printed out. The individual tray sheets then just go in a binder for quick reference and to make the plant labels. May sound like a lot of work 😁but once the spreadsheet is set up for a tray, it can just be duplicated over and over for different seedling trays.

[@MorroccoM13]

Nice video Gary - Thanks. Are the lighting fixtures regular fluorescent shop lights - OR - are they special for the LED tubes? Can you provide a link for the LED bulbs please.

[@litaanderson1589]

Hello Gary thanks again for repeating your Essential seeds starting lighthing tips for the time is coming around the corner soon ( for us here in Mich. 4b zone. I surely followed all your tips for the lighthing and set up. I used my grow tent last year except my lighting bulbs are a little wea ker(4000 lumen and some are 3000 the most but did’nt have any problem at all. But would like to try like yours. Thank you for always inspiring us and giving us tips for more education for this subjects and for the different How to’s video. Happy gardening!

[@jacquelinebaxter6420]

Hi I'm in Michigan also 6b and just starting the lighting and shelf setup for my seed starts. I am looking to a better setup this year than last.

[@brianseybert2189]

Watched Costco sales for a 6 tier wire rack shelf unit this past summer. Picked it up for $97.00, about $20.00 less than normal price. Now waiting for them to get their shop lights back in the stores, better hurry up! Last few years just had a 4'X8' space on the floor with overhanging lights, worked well, but I was always running out or room. The wire rack system will really help me out. Enjoy your videos!

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Thanks so much and that is a good price.

[@carleanr4051]

Hi Gary! I came across a rusted garden tool today and chuckled to myself; thought of you. Thanks for the video 🪴💚😊

[@mikesfarmmikesfarm3977]

thanks, the tip about lights on as soon as they are emerging was what I was missing and getting leggy starts. I thought that I had a couple days to wait, but its clear now the enormous growth rate right after breaking out of soil.

[@heatherk8931]

On the lights, Harbor Freight has connection up to 8.

[@obguy99]

the Braun 64410? has this worked well for you?

[@deirdreberger1363]

Really like how you summarized at the end. Great video!

[@USG1211]

* Amazing indoor seed start setup*

[@msaelens9212]

Excellent info and encouragement as always!

[@rogerscheuermann4409]

After germination, should you have your lights on during the day or at night? 😊

[@adairsulhoff5405]

I just set up an indoor growing station, and started seeds. Your info was exactly the info I needed, thanks!

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Very glad to help. Good luck with it. Join this channel to get access to Perk Memberships which focus on live chat garden mentoring and Q & A, live chat classrooms, and a member influenced video series: kzbin.info/door/ptL6_qMImyW_yZwiMjQdpgjo Look for the JOIN BUTTON mid way down the page on right, next to the circle picture of members. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@mattandbarbhartt2860]

How many hours of light for long day onions seeds?

[@jacquelinebaxter6420]

I saw this video last year didnt get to do it but we now going to do it this year for better results. Hubby is thrilled lol 😆

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

So glad it is helping. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@Junseld]

Great information! Simple and covered the basics.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Thanks that is my goal. The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ My new Podcast: The Rusted Garden Homestead https: https:bit.ly/443SSGL Visit my blog, The Rusted Garden Journal, for the written DIY recipes and more garden information: therustedgarden.blogspot.com

[@yacabe]

Literally just saw the other day another youtube channel saying that you can add the lumens. I was surprised but something wasn't adding up in my mind. I still had to keep my plants within a similar distance from the lights.

[@Eclectic-Human]

I'm growing red and white potatoes indoors in a set up much like yours They are doing very well. I'm using recycled grocery bags. 4 White seed potatoes in 1. 2 red seed potatoes in the other. 1 White seed potato in a 2.6 gallon plastic pot. Started about a month ago, mid December 2022 its now January 13th 2023. Foliage is about a foot high already. I've also just started jalapeno & red peppers, a cabbage, rainbow swiss chard, butter crisp lettuce, dwarf curled scotch kale, tumbling tom red tomato, and lavender. I have plans for more variety but will quickly run out of room. I'm using terra cotta for the latter 3 seeds in each. If they all sprout they will all be planted up for personal consumption. Cheers!

[@kimiyemlsmallgardendream8115]

Just got for Christmas a shelf like yours now to ind a place to put it.

[@thatonegirl1837]

Great timing. Thank you.

[@DancingL704]

Thank you for your great information

[@astatine0085]

Laminate the paper or put it in a plastic sleeve and hang it from the shelf so you can quickly review it without water interference.

[@astatine0085]

How many inches apart are the lights from the seeds?

[@elizabethfarkas6468]

About 2-3 inches above the seeds' surface and raise the lights incrementally as they grow. Keeping the lights close to the little seedlings helps prevent them from getting leggy. As they grow taller, I raise the shop lights so that the seedlings don't touch the light bulbs. And don't forget to use a fan to mimic outdoor air/light breeze conditions.

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

Really really Great Job on your Videos to by the way!!

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Very appreciated Join this channel to get access to perks which focus on live garden mentoring and member influenced videos: (click the JOIN button on upper right side) kzbin.info/door/ptL6_qMImyW_yZwiMjQdpgjo Earn 15% and become a TRG Affiliate for our seed & garden shop. Use this to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ - Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More. Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link. You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more!

[@francoisblanc7705]

Wow. Great source of information. I didn’t find any topics about ventilation. Do you have any recommendation!? Does it help to hardened the plants? Maybe reduce disease or fungus as well?

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

A fan helps people say. But I just never had to use one. Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link. You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more! Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account The Rusted Garden 'Scan & Grow' Seed Collection (My Seed and Garden Shop) Just scan the QR code and watch a planting video: www.therustedgarden.com/search?type=product&q=qr

[@chefy37]

Appreciate you, Gary.

[@waynewalton265]

i just am in the process of doing this, i got a 3 ft stand, it was $88.AND TWO LIGHTS AND HOOKS AND CHAINS $125.still setting up system.will see how it goes.!

[@lggal4264]

I’ve been using the shelving and 4’ long shop lights. Works great in a southern facing window on a timer. I’m frustrated that every video out there is about starting seeds. I live in the high desert and seeds won’t be started for 2 or 3 more months. What I DO GROW is dwarf tomatoes, celery, green onions and a lot of hydroponic lettuce. We get none of the above fresh at the store. Where can I find a channel that understands those of us that go dormant in the winter? Everyone makes me feel guilty that I’m not starting seeds already. I recommend folks like me grow lettuce and dwarf tomatoes. Add their own cooked and seasoned garbanzos along with avocado and whatever else they love. I make some lovely salads and they’re fresh which is what I need during these long dark winters

[@nancyprovost1878]

What high desert do you live in. Garden Answer in in high desert Eastern Oregon. Laura is the host and has started a few seeds. Hope this helps

[@clb50]

Our last frost date is sometime between May 15 and end of May. We have several feet of snow on the ground but I'm STILL starting to make a plan for my garden, get supplies ready and that's keeping me busy until I can start my seeds. It's enough to get me out of winter blues and keep me busy until I can start sowing.

[@lggal4264]

@@nancyprovost1878 Thank you for the tip🙏

[@annieanderson6112]

I'm in MN and we are definitely dormant lol. My last frost isn't until the end of May but most don't plant outside until Mothers day (beginning of June). So I get that this isn't relevant to us now but I like to have my plans ready for when I can start seeds. Some I will start in March. I just save these videos so I can re-watch them when its closer for me to start. I don't think he plans to transplant these outside. I think he just planted them for props for videos to help teach us. The whole country has different seed start times so it would be hard to have a video for each zones start date. Even where he lives its too early to plant outside. Hopefully u can just use these videos as learning tools for when its time for u to start seeds. Good luck and happy gardening.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden. As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link. You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more!

[@caroleanne8529]

Very informative video - thank you. I'm really interested in the dwarf tomato plants.

[@bugsea54]

This will be my 2nd year growing vegetable, last year I had a 30% survival rate on my seedlings. This year I have grow lights so hoping that helps and I plan on canning so I have vegetables lasting in the winter. Although I still had a decent harvest last year, using my rain barrels for most of my water. I will be following you as last year you told me to start my seeds over again. I am living on very low funds so using what I have works best for me.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Slow and steady and you should be fine. Start a few more extra if it fits you budget as they are good for backups. Good luck. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@bugsea54]

@@THERUSTEDGARDEN Thanks

[@margiehochleutner2951]

Can you use the grow mats on a wood shelf? Thank you.

[@yes350yes]

Gary, I hate that they went to the led light systems. My old flourecsent system went out and I bought I an led system. its 5500 lumins 5000K daylight system. Anyway things were going well then the tomato seedlings I had under that light leaves turned yellow and the canopy leaves smallish. I had 13 under that system and will need to restart some .

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Oh no. Please Visit The Rusted Garden Vegetable Seeds & Home Garden Supplies: www.therustedgarden.com Neem Oil: bit.ly/43IJl9C Peppermint Oil: bit.ly/43IJl9C Rosemary Oil: bit.ly/43IJl9C

[@truthseeker4111]

Thank you for your videos! I noticed you don’t mention anything about how you clean cells in your book or in your seed starting videos. I can’t use bleach for health reasons. Can you share with us how you clean used cells and trays? Thanks! :)

[@brendacavanaugh3104]

Thank you for the info

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Glad to share.

[@Mstymntntop]

I know this goes beyond this video…but what about outdoor lighting at night? I started thinking about a plant going to “sleep” at night and how lots of time plants seem to grow over the night. Will security lights impact the plant if they are on a dusk to dawn function?

[@brandyburgess8267]

You said you use the shop light for germination. What lighting do you use for all stages of growth? Please provide link or pic. Also do you use a light meter and if so what kind?

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

I use the same light as I am only growing transplants. If you are growing for flowering and fruit, you probably need other systems The Rusted Garden Vegetable Seeds & Home Garden Supplies: www.therustedgarden.com Earn 15% and become a TRG Affiliate for our seed & garden shop Sign Up Here: bit.ly/4aarkDD

[@dancarter260]

I use Walmart shop lights 5k L and 5k K seems working just fine

[@flowerpixel]

Great video. I was using 2k lumens which I don't think was enough.

[@clb50]

Maybe just move closer.

[@flowerpixel]

@@clb50 I don't even trust they're 2k. It's right on the light and these are from Amazon

[@MorroccoM13]

Well today I went to HD and picked up a pair of Philips LED for fluorescent fixtures. They didn't fit well and when I got them in I noticed the tubes I pulled were 2600 Lumens 6500K vs 1800 for the new LED. Out they came and back they'll go. GARY: where do you get 5000 lumen LED tubes??????

[@obguy99]

My inexpensive Braun 64410 shop light from Harbor freight lists the lumens but not the light temperature. So it's 5000 lumens but it just says it's "White". I wonder if this will be adequate?

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

White is usually good enough as that's toward the upper end of Kelvin. Yellow is the other way. Thanks! Over 1500 gardening videos on my YT channel. Here is how you can support me, & The Rusted Garden... Please Subscribe & The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/

[@thegrowerbee]

Great work 👍

[@hollyashton7009]

I’ve seen growing kits with a plastic dome for humidity, how would this work with grow lights?

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

I never use them. I found years back they didnt do much but create a great environment for fungus and mold and damping off disease. Join this channel to get access to Perk Memberships which focus on live chat garden mentoring and Q & A, live chat classrooms, and a member influenced video series: kzbin.info/door/ptL6_qMImyW_yZwiMjQdpgjo Look for the JOIN BUTTON mid way down the page on right, next to the circle picture of members. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/

[@timothyjohnson5580]

I purchased lights over the last 6 mos for this spring. I concentrated on lumens and not kelvins. I hope i didn't make a mistake. The kelvins are 4000. Is that close enough?

[@ausfoodgarden]

I'm not sure what Gary thinks but a lot of indoor plant growers use the "warm" end of the spectrum to grow with so I'd say it should be fine so long as you have high lumens To borrow from a commercial growing equipment supplier: "Plants grow best when they are exposed to light that is as similar to natural sunlight as possible, which is between 2,700 and 7,000 Kelvin"

[@metalrabbit09]

How do you think a 150 W, 5000 K, 2500 Lumens LED light bulb would work out in an 8.5 inch reflector as a growlight for starting seeds and growing starters? I saw that you have a 150, 4000 K, 2200 Lumens (WTL LED light bulbs) on your Amazon storefront, so I was wondering about a bit brighter specs.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

So they amazon are guides. 2200 lumens can work but closer to 5000 is best. You have to keep 2200 really close. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

This may be a repeat question and I'm sorry if it is. What brand light do you use? I have Lowes and Home Depot close to me.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Mine are mixed. I just use goal of 5000 lumens an 6500 Kelvin. I often get mine at Walmart as they are cheapest. Join this channel to get access to perks which focus on live garden mentoring and member influenced videos: (click the JOIN button on upper right side) kzbin.info/door/ptL6_qMImyW_yZwiMjQdpgjo Earn 15% and become a TRG Affiliate for our seed & garden shop. Use this to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account Visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop: www.therustedgarden.com/ - Seeds, Starting Supplies, Neem Oil, Peppermint & Other Oils, Calcium Nitrate & More. Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link. You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more!

[@martinwhitehurst9893]

@@THERUSTEDGARDEN Right on! Thank you

[@Seasoncromwell]

So the white lights will even work for fruiting!? Wow.

[@JM.TheComposer]

To improve grow light effectiveness, you can actually just take some cardboard and paint it white. Matte works better than gloss. Place the cardboard around your grow area.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Thanks Use the Discount Code THERUSTEDGARDEN on GreenStalk 'Vertical Tier Systems'. Use this link and enter my code for the discount store.greenstalkgarden.com/?afmc=therustedgarden or this short link lddy.no/4eal AgroThrive Organic Bio-Fertilizers Use my affiliate link and my code TRG10 to save 10% on your first order: agrothrive.com/?ref=M5o6fjdAruq_S

[@mollypitcher9380]

Thanks!

[@michelleworkman5725]

I saw a video that dealt with mold on the seed starter but don’t remember what the spray was. Anyone remember?

[@doriscully1209]

Dilute hydrogen peroxide. I’d have to search how much to dilute but spray on soil when you start seeds

[@michelleworkman5725]

@@doriscully1209 thank you

[@JimMeakim]

I lay my markers down on the cell trays until the plants are tall enough to raise the lights.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

That works. Join this channel to get access to Perk Memberships which focus on live chat garden mentoring and Q & A, live chat classrooms, and a member influenced video series: kzbin.info/door/ptL6_qMImyW_yZwiMjQdpgjo Look for the JOIN BUTTON mid way down the page on right, next to the circle picture of members. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@honeydew4576]

Are "lumens" and "luminous flux" the same thing?

[@ausfoodgarden]

The lumen is the standard unit of luminous flux, so if your light states a luminous flux of 5000, that number is in lumens.

[@honeydew4576]

@@ausfoodgarden Thank you for taking the time to clarify this.

[@elainemarie1473]

I have that same timer and I can't for the life of me remember how to set my own time on it 😅

[@vkdowdy9519]

Walmart still has these lights for under $20.

[@AJWGBFX]

For the same area of shelf, 2 of 2500 lumen lights = 5000 lumens total hitting the shelf. Whereas, 2 of 5000 lumen lights = 10000 lumens total hitting the shelf

[@Bandaid17]

No. The lights only over lap slightly. There’s no cumulative effect.

[@hopemorrison2367]

O nce my seeds germinate they do not grow plz help

[@caroleanne8529]

If your newly germinated plants are dying, it could be because of a bacteria or fungus in the soil. Try seed starting mix from the garden center.

[@doriscully1209]

Why do you put aluminum foil on lights

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

It is not a must but it keeps heat in a bit and can be reflective. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@bethanydueweke7492]

Don't buy T5s. They are expensive to replace and they get hot. I cant put my trays that close to my T5s because they raise the temperature of the air from 65 degrees to 85 degrees if they are 3 to 6 inches away 😳 Certain things won't germinate over 80 degrees, like my lettuce. If I put them 15" above the trays, it germinate fine, 70 degrees-ish.

[@4toes1nose]

TU

[@doityourselflivinggardenin7986]

I like much of what you do, however, you are seriously way off the mark in regards to lighting. It may be obvious to some folks that the seed starting light is florescent, but I did not hear you say that. Florescent lights are completely different from LEDs. If I put one of my LED lights two inches from a seedling it would be dead within hours. You should have clarified that. It appears that you are using old style T8 florescent lights, not even the better T5 lights for your seed starting. You also discussed lumens. Lumens have no place when discussing lights for growing. It is meaningless; lumens are for human eyesight, not for what a plants uses (PAR). You need to look at spectrum and PPFD. PPFD is measured with a quantum PAR meter, which is actually not very expensive. Using the PPFD value of your light source, you can then figure out the DLI using the distance of the light (determined by the PPFD value) and the duration of the light. There really is no other accurate way to do that. You can poke and hope, but you will probably kill a lot of plants in the process. Furthermore, two different brands of LED lights will not work the same. In regards to light temperature, you are suggesting values that will destroy plants. A 6500k LED light has too much blue. If you use that light and place it as close as is seen in your video, your plants will die. They will begin to grow, stop growing, and then the roots rot. Never go above 3500k. And even with that, add some red LEDs. Also look at the wattage of the LED light tube per foot. Use this value to identify the intensity of the light. Higher wattage LED tubes use better chips and more of them. Higher wattage LED tubes have more PPFD per inch of height away from the plant. Keep that in mind if you do not have a PAR meter. Cheaper LED shop lights will be more forgiving if the wattage is low. But with that, you will need to keep the light closer (to get enough PPFD), which narrows the coverage of the light. That too was not covered in the video. LED lights do not cover as wide of an area as a florescent. However, florescent lights have very low PPFD, hence why you need to keep that light so close to the seedlings. A 6500k florescent light is not anywhere near the same light as a 6500k LED light. The rules are not the same. The spectrums are worlds apart, even if they both say full spectrum. The term "Full spectrum" is pretty much useless as well. It does not tell you the intensity of narrow bands of color within that spectrum. That is crucial to know. Now that tool is very expensive and I don't expect anyone to purchase one. In a nutshell, this video will seriously mislead viewers and many will have no idea why their plants are failing. LED lights are a different beast and they need to be studied and tested to use them correctly. Hence, why there are so many different LED lights on the market. They are in a constant state of change. FWIW, I have been testing LED tubes and building LED lights for plants for four years... and I am still making adjustments. There are a LOT of variables. Furthermore, plants respond differently to LED lights. Therefore, one type of LED light may not work for all plants. For those contemplating purchasing a shop light for plants, do not put all your eggs in one basket. Begin with plants that you do not absolutely need. Gary, I am not attacking you. You have a good KZbin channel. I'm just trying to clarify a few things regarding LED lights that could cause major problems for the viewers. I have made more than a few mistakes over the years while getting a handle on LED lights for growing. Hopefully I have saved somebody from making some of them with my comment. Happy growing!

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Thanks. I try and just let people know this is just the basics for simply growing transplants. There is a lot more to it. But this is a basic set up. Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@deborahcunningham9307]

@@THERUSTEDGARDEN wait.... I don't use led? I thought you said to use led?? I am now confused. help

[@martinaharrisondefault5027]

Thanks for your input. In your opinion then what does someone starting out get for indoor seed and small plant growing? People here are thinking shop bought LEDs but reading what you say now probably not. There are grow light LED strips on eBay that are cheap. I was going to use rows of these and the small amount of window light here in the UK winters. But now I'm second guessing whether to get the grow light LED strips? If people should get fluorescent tubes then, I'm not sure what exactly to look for. I realise you say it depends on the distance from the plant etc. I was hoping to find the answer here but now I'm even more confused having read your input. Thanks

[@martinaharrisondefault5027]

@doityourselflivinggardenin7986 please see my above message

[@doityourselflivinggardenin7986]

@@martinaharrisondefault5027 I know everyone is confused by LEDs for growing plants. I was for some time myself. In order to get a handle on it I experimented with them for a few years to figure them out. What I determined is that there is no reliable place to get this information. I wish I could give everyone a quick link with a light that I could say is just right. I built my own to get the lighting correct. With that being said, I can tell that there are some manufacturers that have been doing the same research as myself. However, these lights are expensive. In other words... not for people that want to grow a few plants or seedlings. You see, most (but not all) LED grow lights are made for growers of Cannabis. These plants are heavy feeders and require some serious light. Furthermore, the light they need is the opposite of the light that a tray of vegetable seedlings need. The problem with LED shop lights (and tube LED lights) is that they are not full spectrum LED lights. They will say they are, but it is very misleading. Sure, they may have a spectrum graph that hits many of the segments of the PAR light spectrum, but they will have serious highs and lows in small segments of the spectrum that is not good for plants. (Too much blue is generally the culprit.) In addition to that, LED lights are seriously more intense than a florescent tube. Pile on top of that are the many different LED chips out there. Add on to that problem is where they reduce the amount of power going through the chip so they don't overheat. You will not know what you are getting and one manufacturer's light will be completely different from another manufacturer, yet, to the consumer, they will look the same. The best I can advise, for low cost, is to purchase the highest intensity LED shop light that is in the range of 3000k to 3500k and then buy red LED strip lighting to put in-between the white LED tubes in the shop lights. You will need to power the LED strips with either a 12 volt power supply or a 24 volt power supply depending on the light strips you buy. You do not need as many red light strips as white LED tubes in your shop light. Why does this work? Because you will get pseudo full spectrum light from the shop light and the red LED strips will balance out the blue from the shop light. Now you will need to experiment with the height of the light. You can start off at 14 to 18 inches and adjust from there. Do note that with more light intensity, you may need to use more nutrients because the plants will grow faster. (if the lighting is indeed correct) I have seen some grow lights that appear good at first look, but they are expensive and I have not tested them. One thing to watch out for is for the grow lights that have UV chips. If you have your lights up high on a stand, that is not good for your eyes. I personally don't use them. I have seen many KZbin channels where the person uses the red/blue grow lights, and all of them have leggy plants. I would stay away from them. There is too much focus on only two segments of the PAR spectrum. If you can put a plant in a south facing window and supplement with a white LED light, that might work. However, I have not tried that because I grow everything in my basement. People used to use florescent lights in the past and they worked okay in some stations. However, they used a lot of electricity, needed to be very close to the plants, and generated a lot of heat. Even with those, manufacturers tried to address the PAR growing spectrum by using special phosphor coatings in the tubes. Chip manufacturers do the same thing with the LED chips. That is how they get the ranges of 3000k to 6500k. However, to get the correct spectrum with LEDs requires many different colors of LEDs and most fixtures or tubes only have one color. I have seen one tube for sale that did have a few red LED chips in the tube to balance out the spectrum. I have not tested them. Other manufacturers (the expensive ones) put many different LED chips on a square piece of aluminum to get the correct balance. Best of luck to everyone.

[@MorroccoM13]

Gee Gary, the most important item in this video is the light bulb and NO info on where to get them or brand info. Come on, what gives?

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Not for this video. These are tips. I have so many detailed videos on the actual lights. Just search White LED stoplights on my channel. You get all the details.

[@MorroccoM13]

@@THERUSTEDGARDEN Here's what I got: This channel has no content that matched "White LED stoplights."

[@MorroccoM13]

@@THERUSTEDGARDEN So baffled as to why you are reluctant to give us the bulb info. Why bother with the video at all. This video was made a few weeks ago. You're tell us you can't go look at the bulb and tell us its a Sylvania or a Philips or a GE and the model number for the bulb.

[@abrammatthew756]

I went to Home Depot and the most powerful LED bulb they had was 2000 lm with 6500 K. Are you talking about to Bulbs together to make 5000 lm? Because I can’t seem to find a Bulb that’s not powerful.

[@THERUSTEDGARDEN]

Nope 1 bulb 5000+ they are around but sometimes different HD have different products. The Rusted Garden 'Scan & Grow' Collection (My Seed and Garden Shop): www.therustedgarden.com/search?type=product&q=qr Please visit The Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop (My Shop) for your fabric pots, fall & spring seeds, seed starting supplies, peppermint oil, neem oil, TRG merchandise, and more at www.therustedgarden.com Plus support The Rusted Garden by subscribing and using my Amazon Store Front link when shopping for anything on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/garypilarchiktherustedgarden. As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualified purchases, not just items I link. You can also find items I use or discuss in videos, by checking out my Amazon Storefront for cameras, fertilizer, pest management, shade cloth, seed starting supplies, books and more! Earn 15% by becoming a Rusted Garden Seed & Garden Shop Affiliate. Some people are using it for their social media followings and some people are using it for a fund raiser for schools and sport teams. To sign up... use this link to our shop and click the MORE tab on the green bar and select TRG Affiliate Program www.therustedgarden.com/ Or use this link to go directly to our TRG Affiliate Program sign up the-rusted-garden.goaffpro.com/create-account

[@abrammatthew756]

Thanks, i got the walmart ones you got but mine are 5500 lm