How to Build a Plant Growing Shelf

A shelf to grow plants includes the installation of a light over the plants. The artificial light promotes plant growth, replacing natural light that is unavailable because of the season or lack of windows. A simple wooden unit with three shelves provides two shelves for plant growing with a top shelf that can hold plant supplies or plants that do not require extra light. Modify this shelving unit as required to accommodate your specific plant-growing needs by adding more shelves or changing the size.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
1 by 10 or 2 by 10 boards -- thicker for heavier plants
Wood saw
Sandpaper and sanding block
Waterproof wood stain or paint, optional
Brush

Screw hooks
Drill
2-inch wood screws
2-tube fluorescent light fixtures -- one for each shelf
Lightweight chain
Timer, optional

Instructions

- 1
  Decide how much space you want between each shelf to determine how high to make the shelving unit. This varies depending on which plants you plan to grow on the shelves and what type of lights you are using. For example, tomato seedlings grow taller than broccoli seedlings, and standard fluorescent lights require at least 4 inches of clearance above the seedlings, according to Sydney Park Brown, et al., of the University of Florida IFAS Extension.
- 2
  Measure the lights to determine how long to make the shelf boards. Make them long enough so the length fits the lights, with enough space left on each end to move the lights freely up and down. A 4-foot fluorescent light fixture is actually 49 inches long, so a good shelf size for this length light is 55 inches. This provides 3 inches of clearance on either end of the light fixture.
- 3
  Measure and mark the boards for cutting. For a unit with 2 shelves to grow plants on and a top shelf to hang the upper light from, cut five boards 55 inches long -- 2 for each end and 3 shelves. Cut six 2-by-2-by-10-inch blocks for further shelf support, if needed.
- 4
  Cut the boards to size with the wood saw.
- 5
  Sand the boards until they are smooth.
- 6
  Apply the waterproof stain or paint to the boards using the brush.
- 7
  Line up the lights and mark where the hanging chain is attached in the center of each shelf on the bottom side.
- 8
  Screw the screw hooks into place.
- 9
  Drill starter holes for the screws through the sides and into either end of each shelf.
- 10
  Attach each shelf to the sides with the 2-inch wood screws. For more support, screw small 2-by-2-by-10-inch blocks of wood under each end of each shelf.
- 11
  Hang the lights from the screw hooks, using the chain to vary the space between the lights and the tops of the plants.

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