When you’re setting up your new greenhouse, don’t forget to pay attention to the kind of light you’ll be using. Lighting is a critical factor in a plant’s development. Proper lighting will go a long way towards making sure that your plants thrive. If you need some help figuring out your best options in greenhouse lighting, here are some tips that will help you make the right choice.

1. The first thing you need to do is figure out the amount of light you will require. The factors you need to consider are the type of plants you’re going to raise, and the size of your greenhouse. Some plants such as flowers and fruit, as well as those that are taller, require more light than others. An outdoor greenhouse will typically use 25 watts per square foot. But an indoor greenhouse will need twice as much light or more.

2. The kind of light you use should be suitable for the plants you’re growing. Something that impacts plant growth to a great extent is the kind of light waves that are given off. High pressure sodium lights, for example, are the best if you’re growing flowers and fruit. These give off red light waves which are beneficial for encouraging growth hormones in plants. If you’re growing leafy plants, they’ll thrive under the blue spectrum, which metal halide lighting is best at providing.

3. Don’t let your lighting overheat your plants. Too much heat can kill them. Some lights release a lot of heat when they’re running. Incandescent lights, for example, produce large quantities of heat. They’re not a great option anyway, because the light they give off isn’t enough for most plants to thrive. However, fluorescent grow lights give off a lot less heat. Make sure you compare how much heat each lighting option produces before making your purchase.

4. Use lighting that will produce good results without consuming massive amounts of energy. The most energy efficient greenhouse lights you can buy are known as high intensity discharge. However, they also cost the most money to buy. Another option is LCD grow lamps, which are a popular choice due to their high energy efficiency. They also produce lower levels of heat.

No matter what kind of indoor greenhouse lighting you decide on, it’s essential that you turn it off from time to time. Lighting should only be used where and when it is needed. Plants need darkness, too, in order to grow properly. Depending on the type of plants you’re growing, you should have the lights turned off in your garden greenhouse for anywhere from six to twelve hours daily.

Tagged with: • • •

Filed under: backyard garden • backyard gardening • gardening tips • indoor herb garden • new brunswick • vegetable garden

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!