Want to start bedding plants early? Have a yen for some fresh tomatoes? With a flip of a switch, you can get a jump on the gardening season. High-intensity discharge lamps make possible all types of gardening, no matter the season. Christine Hubbard, also known as Mrs. Greenjeans, offers some pointers about the different types of lights that can enable you to bring the garden indoors:
- The lighting you choose depends on what types of plants you want to grow and the amount of space your garden will occupy.
- Florescent lights are good; they offer a broad spectrum of light, but they don't have a lot of depth. High-intensity discharge lamps are good for all types of gardening all year long.
- The cost of a lighting system ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the size you get. If you intend to do a lot of gardening--for example, starting bedding plants early from seed or growing vegetables and fruits all winter long--you might find that the cost of the light more than offsets your usual gardening expenditures. "I know people who spend $200 or $300 a year on bedding plants, and just that alone would pay for a light," Hubbard says.
- Another plus: the value of lighting is also priceless for people who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder). Full-spectrum lighting is great for chasing away light-affected depression.
Light gardening is a good way to have flowers and homegrown food all year-round. "You'll be amazed at how big a tomato plant can get indoors," says Hubbard.
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