Hey everyone! I'm in Northern California, right on the line of zones 9b and 10a. This year, I'm planning to expand my garden and start growing my own seeds in trays, so I'm on the hunt for helpful YouTube channels that cover setting up grow lights for seed starting. My budget for everything—including heat pads, grow lights, seed trays, and stands—is around $50-75. Any recommendations?
3 Answers
Honestly, with your budget, you might find it challenging to get a complete setup. I'd suggest focusing on good quality lights first. You can use LED shop lights, which work just fine for indoor seed starting. I personally recommend the ones from Harbor Freight; they're affordable and provide great coverage. Just grab some basic containers and potting mix, and you'll be set! Oh, and consider checking local nurseries for seedling trays—they're often cheaper than buying online.
The Millennial Gardener has some solid tips, too! He covers various setups and techniques that could really help you out.
You should definitely check out Gary's videos from The Rusted Garden! He has a lot of great content on starting seeds with grow lights.
I think he does a good job overall, but be cautious with using shop lights. They can be expensive to run, especially if you're in a state with high electricity rates. Instead, focus on light spectrum and quality—good grow lights will provide a PAR map for optimal plant growth.
That's a smart approach! Many people underestimate how well basic setups can work for starting seeds—it's all about getting the right light and making sure the plants are at a good distance. I went that route last year, and it worked really well!