How To: Grow Plants With Compact Fluorescent Lights

I like to grow vegetables all year round, and I couldn't afford the big gas bulbs, or the power to run them. The big gas bulbs:

• can explode
• can burn you and your plants
• cost upwards of $50 a month to operate
• raise the temperature in your home, causing the air conditioning to run more frequently
• waste 60% of the light emitted

This prompted me to wire up some compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in a row and give it a shot. It worked so well I had to share. For the last 10 years I have been doing this in various spaces wherever I live. It's VERY simple to set up yourself.

Parts

Here is a list of parts used (not in quantity as your needs will vary):

• Closet light fixture(s) with or without a pull chain—plastic or ceramic
• Wood, plastic, or metal fixture mount(s) - This goes between the light fixture and the ceiling
• Extension cord(s) of appropriate length or a 2 prong lamp cord with a male end only
• Light bulb socket doubler/splitter(s) - A "Y" shaped socket adapter to make one light socket into two
• 23-27 watt use x 100 watt output CFL bulbs in the appropriate color temperature for your plants/seasons
• Vacation lamp timer/light timer(s) - I recommend digital with battery backup
• A fan of some sort

Warning

• If you have no practice or experience with electrical wiring, you probably shouldn't attempt this.

Step 1 Plan it out.

Figure out how many plants you want to grow, and where you want to grow them. I recommend having at least 2' wide x 2' wide x 3' high as the smallest space.

There should be a minimum of two 100 watt output CFLs in any growing space. I typically use 6 or more bulbs in a room that is 2' by 3' by 3' high, and grow 6 to 10 plants in it.

You will want to space the bulbs evenly along a center line on the ceiling from side to side. Figure out the layout, and make sure you have enough wire to run through all of the bases you use, and all the way to your plug. Make sure it will have slack, and not be too tight.

Step 2 Wire the bases.

Wire the bases in succession from the female or clipped end of the cord toward the male or wall plug end. Make sure you use the positive wire on the positive post of each base, and negative on the negative post.

For this operation, I separate the wires from each other, and use an ice pick, or awl to make a hole through one wire at a time, and then screw through my holes into the bases. This eliminates any cutting, or splicing, and is MUCH safer. The idea is to pierce through the jacket, through the center of the wires, and out the other side of the jacket without corrupting the sides of the jacket.

Step 3 Mount the boxes.

Mounting Method A:

1. Place the mounting boxes on the ceiling lined up with the bases.
2. Attach the bases to the mounting boxes. (Some mounting boxes have knock-outs, and you have to run the wires through them as you go. They will need to be attached to the ceiling prior to wiring the bases.)

Mounting Method B:

1. Get 2 pieces of wood exactly the same as each other. Ideal dimensions are 3/4" x 3/4" by desired length. 
2. Attach the bases to the wood at the appropriate places, and then flip it over.
3. Screw the wood pieces to the ceiling. 

Warnings

• This way can be considered dangerous because of the risk of sparks igniting the wood, so this method is not recommended. (Having said that, I prefer this method for my own endeavors. I am very good at wiring, and there is no chance my work will spark a fire.) 
• Seriously, if you are not very good at wiring, don't use this method. It may violate certain codes in some cities, too.

Step 4 Plug things in.

The hard part is over. Now you just put your splitters and bulbs in the bases. Plug the light cord into the timer, and plug the timer into the wall outlet.

Step 5 Set the timer.

Find out how many hours of light your desired plants need, and set the timer accordingly.

Step 6 Plug a fan in.

Plug in a fan that will blow on the plants. Oscillating fans work well. The idea is to make the branches blow in the wind, so they will strengthen themselves, just like outside. The fan will automatically disperse any small amounts of heat CFLs generate in its operation. The same can be said in reverse; the fan that you use to cool the lights will strengthen the branches.

If you have a room with a closing door, you will need an inlet, and outlet for air flow, and an exhaust type fan, or CPU cooling fan in the outlet hole. The air should come in near the bottom, and exit near the top. The inlet hole can have a filter of some sort to keep out bugs, but don't choke your fan.

Tips

• I prefer to grow in soil, and use water soluble fertilizers.
• Keep the plant canopies (tops) 1 to 3 inches from the bulbs. During plant stretching, you may want to increase this distance, or your plant may grow into the light when you're not paying attention. Good news is, CFLs won't burn up your plants. There may be slight burning/drying at the point of contact, but nothing serious.
• Turn/rotate plants 1/4 turn each day to give all sides equal access to the light.
• Watch the videos below for the process and results of my hard work.

I moved the plants outside in spring, and we moved to a new place in the summer. There is no current indoor garden here, as the house is tiny, and has no extra closet space. I will need to make myself a grow room if I want to do this in the new house. It's just a matter of time. Running my own business keeps me very busy.

Front page photos by olliehigh and slopjop