How to Build Your Own Plant Grow Stand

Assembly

• 1

  Cut the two 10-foot boards in half; these are the uprights. Cut three of the 8-foot boards in half to serve as the long sides of the shelves. Cut the remaining 8-foot board into six 1-foot lengths, discarding the rest, to use as the short sides.

• 2

  Use the measuring tape and make marks on each upright 5-foot board at 24 inches, 42 inches and 60 inches.These marks indicate the placement for the shelves.

• 3

  Use the drill and screw bit to firmly attach the 4-foot sides at the marks drawn on the uprights, with the 3-inch screws. Use two screws at each mark.

• 4

  Attach the 1-foot pieces at the sides. Stand the plant stand up so that the bottom shelf is 2 feet from the ground.

• 5

  Lay the pieces of plywood on top of the boards on each shelf. Screw them in place using the 1/2-inch screws.

• 6

  Screw two cup hooks on the underside of each shelf to hang the shop lights on.

  Use chains to adjust the height of the shop lights above the seedlings.

• 7

  Lay down heat mats or heat cables on each shelf. Heat mats and cables are only used for germination. But if you grow pepper seeds or seeds from other heat-loving plants, you'll need to leave them in place until you transplant the seedlings into the garden. Otherwise, remove the heat mats or cables after the seeds have germinated.

• 8

  Plug the timer into the wall socket. Also, plug the outlet strip into the timer, as well as plug all the heat cables and lights into the outlet strip. Set the timer for 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light.