Gardening and growing plants are some of the most enjoyable hobbies out there. Some like to grow okra, others like CBD or cannabis, still others grow things like herb gardens or fruit trees. No matter what type of vegetation is being grown, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to start a garden and how to get all the necessary equipment, including how to find the right kind of grow lights. Here is some basic information about growing indoors vs. outdoors and how to find grow lights.
Do Some Research
The first step to starting any endeavor is to take the time and do some research. It’s important for a few different reasons. First, it helps you gain a better understanding of what you’re trying to do. Second, it can help you find out the necessary steps, considerations, pros and cons, and general information required to grow your chosen plant. This advice is relevant for any gardener, whether they want to grow CBD, award-winning tomatoes, delicately beautiful orchids, or an herb garden. It’s crucial to have the right information and research, so you’re fully prepared for what’s to come.
However, some people are interested in setting up a commercial or large-scale operation, an ambitious undertaking but entirely necessary with the incessant demand on today’s market. For commercial growers who are trying to manage purchasing and logistics, check out Agron. They have a whole host of benefits, including direct manufacturer pricing and the most extensive product catalog in the industry. Whether you grow cannabis, CBD, vegetables, or any other type of plant, they have the equipment and inventory for any commercial or agricultural grower.
Growing Indoors
The first part of growing indoors is deciding if you want to use a grow tent or build a grow room. Many people choose to use a basement, closet, or even a spare bedroom. There are even pre-packaged grow rooms with tents. These can be extremely convenient since they don’t require any holes drilled in the ceiling to hang up grow lights. However, growing indoors typically has higher start-up costs, which is an important consideration.
Two other considerations are adding reflective material and adequate ventilation to provide enough airflow and circulation. That’s why many people choose to use a grow tent. They eliminate the arduous work involved with transforming a room into a space suitable for gardening and growing. They also offer a greater level of control over temperature, climate, and humidity. Most come with exhaust vents, light hanging bars, and exhaust vents to make it super simple to grow.
Here are five things that every indoor grower must have to be successful:
- Growing containers
- Nutrient-rich soil
- Seeds
- Space
- Grow lights
The following items aren’t mandatory, but they are highly recommended:
- Two fans: oscillating and ventilation
- Fertilizer
- pH meter
- Humidity and temperature monitor
Growing Outdoors
Growing outdoors means that there’s only going to be one harvest a year unless you happen to live on the equator. However, growing plants and gardening outdoors brings unique challenges. First, there needs to be a space large enough to support the number of plants you wish to grow. Then, it must be easily secured, both from animals and potential thieves.
There also needs to be close and convenient access to water, and the climate should be warm. It’s important to remember that growing outdoors takes longer than growing indoors, so be prepared for some patience. However, this method is probably not viable for those who live in an urban area or small apartment. There are a few different things necessary to grow outdoors, including:
- Essential gardening tools
- Nutrient-rich soil
- Adequate sunlight
- Pots or ground space
- Hose or water source
Obviously, successfully growing a plant has a lot to do with the conditions it’s grown in. Plants are generally vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. This can include heavy or driving rains, branch-breaking winds, deadly frost, and fungus and mold. Growing outdoors means becoming extremely familiar with the local climate and weather to avoid losing the entire crop.
Buying Grow Lights
Buying the right grow lights is one of the most essential parts of growing indoors. Even if you do ultimately choose to grow outdoors, it’s still vital to start the seeds indoors. The first stage of growth is when the seedlings are most vulnerable, so it’s crucial to have control over the humidity, temperature, and light. Growing indoors or in an enclosed space like a greenhouse is the only way to ensure you have that necessary control to ensure a successful start.
Grow Light Bulbs vs. Fixtures
One available option is grow light bulbs. For those with a budget, this is definitely a cheaper option. They can be purchased and then installed and used in any fixture, making them highly convenient. Grow light fixtures are a little bit more expensive but are worth the investment. Just one fixture can supply enough light for many different plants, making them very efficient. They also typically provide a better light spectrum range as well.
Incandescent
Incandescent bulbs are the most affordable option. However, they’re the least energy-efficient, so expect higher power bills with this choice. This type of bulb also tends to get hot when it’s on for long periods.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent lights don’t get as hot when they’re on and offer an adequate light spectrum for growing plants. These are a much more energy-efficient option than incandescent lights, but they’re not as good as LED.
LED
LED is one of the best investments to make for grow lights. They’re the most energy-efficient and have almost zero heat output. They also offer the best in terms of the necessary light spectrum’s plants need to flourish and thrive. The colors in their output have been optimized to provide all the different types of lights that growing plants need. LED is the superior choice when it comes to growing lights.
Final Thoughts
No matter what kind of plants you ultimately want to grow, it’s essential to do some research and consider every factor when it comes to being a successful grower and gardener. Decide if you’re going to grow indoors or outdoors, be sure to acquire all the necessary equipment, and commit the time and energy it takes to have a successful growing season and crop (if you’re going to harvest). Another important aspect is deciding what type of growing lights is best. That’s why it’s vital to complete in-depth research to find out what type is best for your needs and how to become a successful gardener.