Built a light shelf for my seedlings

[kameronth]

I built a light shelf for my seedlings. I usually put the lights over my work bench but during seed season I can't use my bench for other projects. I used 2x2's and scrap plywood for the shelving and stained/sealed it. I also added casters to the bottom so it's easier to move out of the garage to harden off. It uses nine dual T8 shop lights with 6500k bulbs.

[Ricky Shaw]

Very nice, and you can wheel them outside to harden them off.

[clara]

Very well done! I'd wish I had some more space in my garage for such a light shelf!

[Cole_Robbie]

Sweet. And when you're not using them for seedlings, they can just be a nice set of shelves....bonus.

[MissS]

Awesome! Versatile too.

[Ricky Shaw]

If I had a garage it would not be that orderly, and I'd have to put the unit closer to the door. Wheeling very far would not be an option.

[imp]

Wower! How many trays can you get on each shelf? 6?

Looks very sturdy, too.

[loulac]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

If I had a garage it would not be that orderly, and I'd have to put the unit closer to the door. Wheeling very far would not be an option.

The wheels are a big plus : It will be easy to take the seedlings in the open air, under the sun to harden them, and bring them back inside at night.
Kameronth did a great job : strong, elegant, not too expensive. I'm just asking myself questions about the lighting. Instead of T 8 lights I might have used 7020 LED bars, they are reliable as long as you don't buy bottom prices. They give less heat than fluo tubes and more light.

[kameronth]

Originally Posted by imp

Wower! How many trays can you get on each shelf? 6?

Looks very sturdy, too.

I'm not sure. I am thinking a decent amount. This year I am going to try more flowers in addition to my vegetables so this should give me enough room.

[lexxluthor]

Nice job.

[kameronth]

Originally Posted by loulac

The wheels are a big plus : It will be easy to take the seedlings in the open air, under the sun to harden them, and bring them back inside at night.
Kameronth did a great job : strong, elegant, not too expensive. I'm just asking myself questions about the lighting. Instead of T 8 lights I might have used 7020 LED bars, they are reliable as long as you don't buy bottom prices. They give less heat than fluo tubes and more light.

I was thinking about going with LED's but I already had 6 T8 units so I just stuck with those. One day I may upgrade to LED's. I do have a heated garage but I usually don't turn it up too high because my gas bill will spike, so I don't mind the extra heat from the fluo tubes.

In the dead of winter I usually set the garage thermostat to 40f. When it's 20 to 40 below outside, it actually feels pretty warm and my wife doesn't have to plug her SUV in! When I start my seedlings I usually set it at 65f.

[chiefbeaz]

Great Job. I had been thinking about building something like your cart for roll seedlings in and out of the garage. What I hadn't thought about , was being able to use it as a lighting area for small seedling. You can kill two birds with one stone with your combination cart. Thanks for posting this

[Father'sDaughter]

It's posts like these that make me really wish for a garage. If we ever get around to building one, I'm going to insist on it being large enough to accommodate a shelf unit (or two!) like yours. Great job with it!