RESEARCH &
EDUCATION
CENTERS (REC)
Make a simple pvc light stand to grow vegetable, flower, and herb transplants for your garden. The 4-ft. long shop light will illuminate approximately 3.5 sq. ft. of growing area; enough to grow 20-100 transplants depending on spacing and individual cell size.
(doesn't include table, soilless media, containers, seeds, etc.)
All-season shop light fixture for 32 watt T-8 tubes (ready to use with power cord and pull switch) | $20.00 |
(2) T-8 tubes; 32 watt | $9.50 |
10-ft. long, 1 ½ in. diameter pvc pipe | $6.00 |
(2) 1 ½ in. slip Tee | $2.50 |
(2) 1 ½ in. 90º elbow | $2.00 |
(4) 1 ½ in. end caps | $3.00 |
Extra chain and hooks | $4.00 |
Total | $47.00 |
It will cost about $9 to operate the shop light from March 15 to June 1: 32 watts x 2 bulbs x 16hrs x 70days = 71.7 kw x $.12/kilowatt-hour = $8.60.
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Use a marker to divide 10-ft. pipe into seven pieces: (1) 52 in.; (2) 18 in.; (4) 8 in. There will be no waste. Cut the pipe into the seven pieces with a hacksaw. | Here are the seven pieces plus fittings. | Build the ends by pushing two 8-in. pieces (feet) and one of the 18-in. pieces (upright) into one of the “T” fittings. (You can use pvc primer and cement to make a permanent light stand or push the pieces for easy takedown.) Repeat to build the other end. |
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Insert the elbows on top of the two uprights and place the four end caps over the ends of the “feet. | Connect the ends by inserting the 52-in. piece into the elbows. | This is the shop light box. It came with a power cord and pull chain. |
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T-8 indoor fluorescent tubes (cool) are a good choice. They produce plenty of light and are more energy efficient than older T-12 tubes. | T-8 tubes are only 1-in. in diameter; ½-in. slimmer than older T-12 tubes. | You can raise and lower your shop light with metal chains and hooks. |
Keep the shop light only 1-2-in. above the tops of your plants. This will make your transplants stocky and strong. You can raise the temperature and speed germination and growth by covering the light stand with a piece of clear plastic.