Prototype Planter- The 2010 Model

Here it is. My newest seed starting shelf prototype. This planter is for growing vegetables that can be started indoors. I've been working on this a little everyday for the past three days and feel it turned out well.

'Recycled' wood (that would have been discarded otherwise) was used for the main supports, which are bridged together with a single board. There are two units pictured above that are actually stacked... stack-ability was part of my design plan. It allows for flexibility in where the shelf units can be placed around the house and will make it easier for dis-assembly later in the year for storage until use next year.

There are two 48" florescent lights per unit. I only have one pair lit above as it was only until now that it occurred to me that the nearby outlet can only accommodate two lights (for the moment at least). There are only leek seedlings growing above, the other trays are in place to demonstrate that two typical seed trays placed length-wise equal the total length of the florescent lights. So there is a capacity for two seed trays per unit. Also two florescent light fixtures placed side by side equal the width of a seed tray. What it all boils down to here is one light per seed tray.


Last year I designed a different shelf system which used two lights for four seed trays ... and the seedlings... did OK, but they were lanky. What I realized then was that there was a gap in coverage (some seedlings were getting more light than others at any given time) and the light was insufficient (which makes seedlings spindly- which they were). This new design ups the amount of lights being used, but allows for better coverage... and hopefully this years seedlings will be more healthy as a result.


For now this set of shelves are pledged to the sunny window... this is the planned location for plants who love warmth the most. Later my idea is to have a second planter for the basement for plants that favor cooler temperatures. The temperatures of a home can be quite confusing to a seed!


Please note: this was a pretty simple and inexpensive project. The shoplights cost about $10.00 each with the bulbs at about $3.50 each. The boards could run you about $5.00 and a few dollars and change for fasteners. Recycled/reusing materials helps too. Hence, each unit cost under $20.00 in materials to make. The design is very basic too. No need to get too complicated, this isn't a permanent fixture to the decor of the house or anything... well except for the next couple months.


What is your seedling growing set up like?