Grow Room Must-Haves for Indoor Seed Starting!

Learn all the essentials needed to create a thriving grow room for seed starting. In this video, Luke covers lighting, air circulation, and more! ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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[@arrdubu]

Protip - just use regular shop lights for your T5/T8 tubes. Just get a color temp that makes sense. The one's marketed as grow lights are the same, just marked up because they say grow light.

[@SaturdaySoul]

I get the huge packs from home depot. They're only good for germ though.

[@K-Zone]

Agree. I got an led shop light for $9

[@thatguythisguy6828]

Speak more to this. T8 will help with germ and growth?

[@SaturdaySoul]

@ThatGuy it's not the type of bulb that matters. T8's and 5's are just easy and cheap, especially for seed starting. The K after the number (on the light bulb packaging) stands for Kelvin, which is the 'temperature' of the color. The higher the number, the better for germination. The other number indicated the lumens, which tells you how bright the bulb will be. The higher the number, the brighter the bulb will be. As the plant grows, you basically want to mimic the sun's cycle. Dimmer and a high k to start out with. As the plant grows, you up the brightness of the more blue bulb (high Kelvin number), and switch to a more yellow color with a lower Kelvin. I have both lights in my grow room and just start to use the more red/ yellow at the same time as the blue. Then I cut the blue altogether and then start to dim a bit as time passes until it eventually flowers. But that's to grow a whole plant indoors from start to finish. Most people don't do that.

[@paddington1670]

@@SaturdaySoul kelvin/colour has nothing to do with "brightness" or number of lumens, photons, or umol/J. Absolutely nothing. heat from below is a better secret weapon for new growers, a seedling heat mat and a good t5 or even a t12 if youre on a super budget, will take you far. T12s are awful, but anything works for germination, kelvin doesnt _really_ matter for starting plants. If youre going to be growing cannabis or another cash crop indoors using hundreds of watts and taking 1/4 of a year to finish, YEAH use the correct kelvin, but for starting seeds, literally anything works fine, that's why I suggest T12, as garbage as they are.

[@justuslightworkers]

I would say a heat mat is definitely essential for a few things, like peppers especially, tomatoes, melons. My peppers WILL NOT germinate at room temperature, they HAVE to have it in the 80s. And almost all of my trays HAVE to have a humidity dome because my grow area is very dry. For other things it just takes more time to germinate, but there's more chance for seeds to die as well. But there's things that don't like heat (such as lettuce and other greens and roots). But for me? Heat mat is essential.

[@dustyflats3832]

About lights: LEDs run quite cool and take least energy. Get Bright White Daylight for more blue spectrum for vegetation growth-5-6500K. I don’t have a lot of room and use 2 24x14” wire racks available on Amazon, Costco, ect. I use 2’ lights that fit well (Barrina double strip LED 5K bright white pack of 6) and I can grow lettuce with them. They are light weight and easy to use. If I had the room I think 4’ would be difficult unless all the plants were of similar height as you want them to be a few inches above the plants. One temp controlled heat mat is essential. And if the domes for flats are of good quality you only need a couple unless your starting many flats all at once. Same with heat mat. And if you know you will do this every year invest in heavy duty trays not cheap kits. Best advice-Don’t start too soon. A larger plant does not mean a better plant at transplanting time. It will save you a ton of work, time, space and money. Those plants will take off once they hit the heat of warm air and soil. And more importantly don’t use an opened bag of potting soil unless you sterilize it (my dilemma and lesson for being frugal and the bugs that come with it).😊 Spring is almost here😃

[@StayPrimal]

You kidding me ? That's incredible llol today I searched and watched grow rooms videos on your channel. What a coincidence I needed that so much.

[@jmr]

I bought shop lights on Amazon but made sure the spectrum was appropriate when I bought them. Mine is not a room but a big plastic shelf in front of a south facing window. I do use a bunch of plastic bins to cut down on spills just like Luke. 🤣 I used to spill so much dirt before. He's right about saving cleanup time and substrate.

[@creationsfromthetable5291]

Once again Luke, great information! Thank you so much, and I am having such fun with my seeds and seedlings that I got from your store!

[@denisebayer8748]

I use foil trays under my plants as they fruits under the lights. The light reflection is awesome!! Aluminum foil works too. The trays also allow me to water from the bottom.

[@DonnaMM6361]

Great idea!

[@cyhomer]

..me too.

[@kimmchenry4383]

I do the same , I also bought metal cake cans from the dollar tree that do the same but sturdier to carry

[@topogigio7031]

The timing of this video is incredible. I've been finishing up my grow room all day and really appreciate this video as a checklist

[@debhamil3782]

Spam - don’t fall for it.

[@katiebrodeen4241]

So excited for your upcoming videos 😁 thank you for sharing your knowledge ❤

[@lynneohlson7343]

Luke, Great common sense video , that really is so important. I am in year 3 of having a grow room and couldn't agree more with your list. I am currently in the busy time of seeding trays and just wanted to THANK YOU also for your MI Gardener packaging. Not only good graphics on front and great info on back, but your seed packets are the BEST to open-close and reopen! Other companies have not caught on to your secret. I will be purchasing more and more from MI Gardener!

[@reneemcclure-ke7bg]

I’ve had my grow room in the basement for almost 20 years. Used to carry water in plastic milk jugs down the stairs for about half the time, then we added a sink 30’ away. So excited that this year, my husband added a sink in my grow room! I now can water my plants with a hose. What a convenience!

[@dorindafulton]

I have a mini greenhouse in the back room and I hooked up a 25ft hose in the utility room. I use it for all my plants. I just germinated store bought beans today and made a short video of it. I'm so excited 😄 I bought 4ft lights from Lowes and works great for my plants. Thanks for sharing and have a great day and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗

[@cris_miko]

Love what you said about choosing a location. A spare bedroom with a south window on my second floor used for some exercise has turned into my grow room, and I love being in this space!

[@myriamst-jean7704]

I agree with all your must have items. You described me carrying water from the kitchen to the basement grow room. This will be an easy fix just need my favorite plumber (hubby) to tackle the task. 😊

[@craighalle7892]

Excellent video Luke. I don't have a hose close to my growing area which is by a west facing window in the family room, but I use a gallon container which fits on the shelf. I also have old BAI bottles that I drilled holes in the caps and put in a small tray so I can fill them and carry them to the grow area. That gives me better control over where the water goes and how much gets there. One last thing I do is use a filter water pitcher to cut the chemicals from the water, which I am pretty sure the little guys appreciate. Thanks again Luke and may the Lord continue blessing you and yours.

[@hamburger512]

Any thoughts on doing a seedling hardening off video?

[@jmr]

For my small setup all my seedlings are in front of a south facing window. It can be opened. I'm sure that helps the hardening process some.

[@ajb.822]

He has a pretty helpful one on his channel, from the past, I'm pretty sure. I remember it helping me a lot, with telling me that even shade outside IS hardening them off compared to inside even in a sunny window or under a grow light ( is this really true ??).

[@jmr]

@@ajb.822 That sounds right unless the window is open and glass isn't blocking the light. Windows have coatings meant to block a lot of the spectrum for thermal efficiency.

[@mudcatfrank7537]

I expanded my indoor starting this year. Previously I kept some plants indoor over the winter and started some tomatoes and brassicas early. Last year I also experimented with winter sowing in jugs. The workmen who installed the upstairs flooring (this is new construction) left behind a pair of tall sawhorses, so we put a 3' x 7' piece of particle board, covered it with plastic sheeting and that became my potting set up. There is no upstairs sink yet but there are at least two dozen 1-gallon milk jugs of water that I haul up on a regular basis. Not only for the plants but also for the humidifier since I spend most of my days upstairs at the computer, drawing table or sewing machine. The south window sills (9 inches deep-just right for cats and plants) have plants, the east windows have supplemental lighting with growlights. A tall set of plastic storage shelves are set up at one of the east window with lights and I have been going crazy with starting greens and onions. There is a start with the winter sowing jugs on the upper deck as well.

[@mattandbarbhartt2860]

Great points! Yes, we need easy access to our grow room so we can check on our seeds 15 times a day! 🤣 great video Luke, thanks!

[@Pink_berry_farms]

Yes my husband wants to put mine in basement. But I’m like no way lol

[@dalegaa4094]

I just added a fan to my grow room/living room. A timer on my lights is my most important piece if equipment. Since I have city water with chlorine in it, I fill watering cans then let them sit over night before using the water on any of my plants. I use filtered water to mist the seedlings if needed.

[@jonathanhatch6575]

Not necessary to let water sit out.

[@dalegaa4094]

@@jonathanhatch6575 It may not be necessary but I want my seedlings to have the best start and chlorine and fluoride in my water can't be good for them. It's easy to let the water sit overnight or use filtered water in a spray bottle to mist them as needed.

[@jonathanhatch6575]

@@dalegaa4094 No really it's fine it does not effect them at all. It doesn't hurt to let it sit though so if it makes you happy that's positive.

[@jasonxkillyou]

cool video. its that time of year!

[@shandysgarden]

My timer is the ACTUAL BEST thing I own in there! You can go low cost or swap out some of these things and definitely diy a ton, but that daggon' timer is priceless 🤗❤️

[@HyggeHomestead]

Can't wait for Spring! We also need to get poor Luke out of the basement! Let's go Spring!

[@RevLetaLee]

really wish I had space for a grow room.

[@eyeYQ2]

Do you have windows?

[@cyhomer]

..right…it’s my dining room! 😂

[@conniesanrn2730]

I have a storage room that is attached to my house. Has its own entrance though. Its heated/cooled, has multiple outlets but no water. But my outside spigot is about 15 feet away. I spend nice afternoons on my patio right off the grow room planting seeds, etc. It will be easy to harden them off when that time comes to. It's perfect for me. I just wish it was bigger for more seeds!

[@timandsuzidickey9358]

thks. !! I'm there !! Ca to Michigan..... a WoW !

[@UrbanGardeningWithD.A.Hanks14]

I have to walk through my grow room to get in and out of the house, so it's not out of the way, and my secondary location is in the bathroom water heater closet; another commonly used location, LOL. I had never thought about an out of the way spot leading to an aversion of the space and plants.

[@christine9467]

I’m using a closet that has a small window in it. I need to get a fan for it and probably better lights. Ugh. Seems I’m always spending $$ but I’m slowly but surely figuring it all out.

[@cintrafricke2109]

So… with the large light setup you have do you start with the lights close to the plants and the raise as your plants grow?

[@danaoliver7423]

Thanks for all the information! Question, we are renting a house and the basement really doesn’t have much heat but that’s where the laundry room is so I’ll be down there enough. Anyway since it’s so cold, would this still be ok to have as a grow room?

[@rossallen5818]

Just a thought on not using heat mats, if you have wire shelving units, can the grow lights for one shelf help heat the soil on the next shelf up? Obviously be careful to not have water come down onto the lights, but it may work.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

Actually got something cool it's a seat starting mad or something like that it all four corners can clip together and make like the tray that's like 4 in thick and it's waterproof. Very lightweight and stores away in a really small place I carry one in my garden backpack. You never know when you might have to up pot a plant at random.

[@Jcs1aughter]

Speaking of trays. You can get all white dough tray that are like are about the size of large cookie sheets. It could both save soil and reflect light.

[@Earthy-Artist]

I like that idea.

[@arrdubu]

Also, careful not to zap yourself with water + grow lights. GFIC outlets are a good idea.

[@lynndifer4163]

And/or a surge protector

[@Gardeningchristine]

I have 2 shop lights I bought at a yard sale for $1 each, 2 small fans for $3 each at my thrift store, 1/2 off trays that were $2.50 each, two shelving units for $8 each, a $5 timer, with the cost of seeds and electricity, it’s less than $50. What’s that, 10-15 plants at a nursery? Plus I bought most years ago so well worth the investment!

[@richardhigel5612]

My biggest challenge is keeping the soil moist after germination. The low humidity area that I have my grow lights in 6:17 tends to dry out the soil. I have a very basic 1 tube 4’ 5500 lumen shop light. I have not experienced the ‘heat’ issue. I have taped white paper to the grow light dome, and will definitely add some air circulation. Keep up your excellent work!!! 😊😊😊

[@tat2steve2010]

All depends on soil type

[@paddington1670]

just kratky it, bottom water in the tray

[@Omegacalgar]

This is literally my first season of gardening and I wish I bought a heatpad to save myself the hassle of just looking at bunch of soil with tomato seeds that never sprouted for a month. I eventually got tomatoes to start by using a small room heater to get the whole room to 80f and turned it back down after that. From what I hear on youtube is that tomatoes are super common to grow no matter where or who you are, so I would say a heatpad is essential to growing tomatoes.

[@The1stChristgrl]

Any insights into soil blocking Luke? I don't believe I've ever heard you make a video about it. I've just gotten my first mini 20 blocker and the 5 cell blocker that Johnny's Seeds sell, which you can up pot the mini blocks into. I don't think I much wanna get any blockers larger than that. I feel like Anything that would outgrow the 5 cell block could most likely be transplanted out into the garden. I realize you can bottom water then better and that they can tend to dry out faster. But I only have a 6x6 greenhouse that fills up EXTREMELY QUICKLY. And I felt like it would not only help me break away from having to keep plastic pots everywhere to reuse, or that it would help save me A LOT of space overall. Any thoughts?

[@j.b.6855]

I use a tote with a lid instead of a tray for holding potting soil in my seed starting room. It holds more and contains the mix better when filling things. I wish there was another place in my house but the basement for my seed starting room. The stairs are a pain, especially during hardening off, carrying the trays up the stairs and back down for a week. But I have a small house and my wife doesnt care what happens in the basement. I consider myself blessed to even have one.

[@Bandaid17]

I feel your pain. I convinced myself that its good exercise LOL (I’m 70)

[@j.b.6855]

@@Bandaid17 Im 60 and thats what I keep telling myself as I am moving plants up from the basement. Advil also helps.

[@DougPowell01]

You need to fill a large capacity container with your water and allow it to sit for several hours before using it. Domestic water supplies have some level of chemicals for "purification". I use a dual under sink filter that removes 90% plus of the chemicals. Then by leaving the open container overnight allows even more of the chemicals to dissipate.

[@apirlrain]

Hi Luke, this year is my first time starting seeds indoors. 1/4 of my broccoli sprouted head and flowered.... Is it still viable? I snapped it off. Is it bolting? Thank you in advance

[@richardhigel5612]

A couple of questions; how long should you keep the fan on during the day and on warmer days can you bring the seedlings outside for a few hours to get them hardened off?

[@jenniferrastley7337]

I wondered this too.

[@rosebayer114]

I asked Luke a while back about how long to keep the fan on and he said he leaves his on around the clock. 🙂

[@CL-ty6wp]

24/7. Yes, just be warned you may bring pest back inside.

[@HenHavenGardens]

What are your thoughts on Humidity Domes???

[@melindaroth5796]

LUKE, OUR SEEDS HAVE COME UP. WE ARE GETTING LG. CONTAINERS AND RAISED BEDS READY IN TEXAS. 🙌 WHAT IS RATIO ON POTTING SOIL AND COW MANURE? PLEASE HELP.

[@wecanmakeitbuttercup]

Is there any way I can grow moringa. I'm in Port Huron and I was going to grow it as a annual?

[@billl2175]

Where did you find t5 led 6500k lamps for $5? I just paid $15 ea at Lowes.

[@edschiefelbein1142]

Are your lights full spectrum?

[@bettermetalsnake95]

I used to have to make sixteen trips a day to my bathtub to fill up my watering can for all of my backyard plants for the whole summer because my yard didn't even have an outdoor spigot.

[@rosebayer114]

Oh I feel for you. I couldn't imagine having to do that but we do what we have to do at the time. Glad you don't have to do that anymore. 🙂

[@bettermetalsnake95]

@@rosebayer114 It was quite a task and I never had any assistance, definitely very grateful to have a hose now and I will never take it for granted.

[@CL-ty6wp]

Next time run a hose from a faucet and out a window..

[@cyhomer]

Hey! You have my sweatshirt on! 😂

[@MIgardener]

It’s so warm! Thank you! 😂

[@caitlynchamberlain4995]

As long as I have grow lights, can my seed-starting room be a dark windowless room? I have an un-used upstairs bathroom that is much easier to maintain a good temperature in and that provides good access to water, etc. but it's completely windowless and I didn't know if that was an issue.

[@KM-nq7ez]

Answer is YES! Happy growing 😊

[@DonnaMM6361]

Any easy setup ideas to hold a florescent strip light over a table top in the middle of the room with nothing to mount the light fixtures on?

[@CityMouseInTheCountry]

I use an inexpensive plastic shelf (the kind with the removable legs) and then attach bungee cord around each end of it that I then attach the light to underneath using S hooks.

[@Bandaid17]

Gary Pilchark “The Rusted Garden” shows how to build a frame from PVC pipe in one of his older videos.

[@rogaineablar5608]

Couple things: Regular fluorescent bulbs degrade rapidly, meaning you'll need to replace them every season; LEDs are much longer-lasting You said that red light is bad; no, plants need both red *and* blue light to grow, that's why plants are green. With regard to the plastic tables, people like the multi-level wire racks for plants, especially in the basement. They give a method to suspend lights above the trays.

[@sportsfamily77]

To be fair, carrying water back and forth and back and forth is good mindless exercise. Stay healthy everyone ✌️

[@newarkgardener6187]

Is a ceiling fan good for air circulation or does it have to be a floor fan?

[@cherylh1159]

I think as long as the seedlings are wiggling with the breeze it causes it will work. Moving the air and teaching the seedlings wind resistance is the key.

[@Rosethatwantstomove]

I have BUG problem with my grow room. They are now attacking me in the living room.

[@mark46428]

check what type of soil you used to start your plants, two years ago i had the same issue, i used bagged garden soil, which had alot of bugs in there, potting soil the bugs are eradicated from the soil

[@dustyflats3832]

Well I made a mistake this year and used an open bag of potting soil. Should have put in aluminum pan and cooked it at 200*F for 20 minutes. To battle the fungus gnats I’m using Safer yellow sticky traps. There are 2 things to get rid of the larvae in soil-Yesterday I drenched the soil of All flats with 1 to 4 mix of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and water. And I sprayed under all cell packs, pots and trays. I also have for the first time aphids-Ugh! It seemed to combat both as there is much less activity. To make sure I’ve got them I ordered some mosquito bits as advised from our garden desk at garden center. You soak the bits in water and water plants. Apparently that kills them dead, But you have to get sticky traps also because those adults will keep the cycle going. You have to be vigilant until they are gone. Remove any unused soil and check All plants in the house. Don’t over water and I keep a fan on low during the day. Fungus gnats love fungus. I believe I’m winning and today I seen an actual Lady Bug in my window- fingers crossed 🤞🏻- now to direct that LB to the aphids😅. Spring is almost Here! Thankfully!

[@Earthy-Artist]

No matter how many containers I have, I still manage to get soil all over the floor 🤭

[@topogigio7031]

I just today retrofitted my flourescent lights with LED replacements. I laughed at how easy the process was

[@Earthy-Artist]

Topo, I saw you on a 'Best of Ed Sullivan' rerun the other night ☺.

[@homernextdoor5950]

Out of curiosity, why are your seedlings on a plywood table and not a plastic card table? Cheers from Canada!😁🇨🇦🌶

[@MIgardener]

That was just a scrap table that we are tossing after this season. It isn't ideal by any means. In future episodes you will see it has already been replaced ;)

[@ourtinyacres5173]

your amazon link is just taking me to the contact us page on amazon.

[@bwayne40004]

Check, check, check, check. Now, come on seeds! Come on plants!

[@brianbarker2670]

The other ting you need is access to adequate electric power.

[@terrivance8750]

1-gallon H2O = 8.8 lbs.

[@voldemortified]

Did he change his tagline? I thought it was “Grow big or go home” 🤔

[@richardvillanueva8786]

Those are not compact fluorescent CFL are small and twisted bulbs

[@CL-ty6wp]

Compact compared to t12 is probably what he meant.

[@richardvillanueva8786]

@@CL-ty6wp yes smaller in diameter 😭🧑‍🌾 Jus not the same

[@pnutbuderjj]

AMAZON ISNT WORKING FOR ME

[@pnutbuderjj]

AMAZON LINK

[@tko4901]

Make your videos shorter with video time stamps . Great work with adding pros and cons

[@bruce_daddy]

Imagine if your ancestors could hear you complain about having to carry a gallon of water 10 feet lol

[@nedcramdon1306]

I too recommend 6,000 feet of toilet paper in your grow room!

[@MIgardener]

Lol. It’s holding fragile bottles! :)

[@StayPrimal]

Haha. 6000 feet, oh my lord Luke what's happening down there

[@rebeccawatson9284]

Lol. You just ratted yourself out!

[@Josef_R]

Sorry, you lost me at carrying 10 pounds...my work boots I had to wear for 30 years weighed 10 pounds. If you don't want to carry water 1 or 2 times a couple of times a week, you don't need to be gardening.

[@MIgardener]

10 pounds, 5-7 times? I mean… I’m not weak, it’s just annoying.

[@CL-ty6wp]

No need to be so sad. Cheer up.

[@Josef_R]

@@MIgardener How can you possibly be using 7.5 to10.5 gallons of water at one time on seedlings?