All I did was to purchase a large, plastic tub–any kind will do, really. I bought this one because it was large, sturdy, and it was only $13.
The first thing I did was to make a hole on top. This plastic wasn’t easy to get through, but the basic idea is to make a hole about the size of a light socket, so you can insert the threaded end of the bulb into the hole. Here is what it looks like from the bottom of the lid:
bottom view of lid with light inserted
And here’s what it looks like from the top view, once it is assembled. I used the same light, socket/cord, and plastic lid that I used for the cardboard version.
Top view of lid.
Once the light was in, I lined the lid and the inside of the tub with aluminum foil. I’m not sure if it matters whether you let the shiny or dull side of the foil show, but I like the shiny side.
underside of lid
inside of the tub
I didn’t use anything special to affix it to the inside, just packing tape. I figured that after one or two seasons, it would need to be cleaned out and replaced anyway.
And here’s another photo of the final product:
A Note: Once your seeds are sprouted: If your light does not put out enough heat to keep the moisture in the light hut at bay, you will need to off-set the lid so that it can dry out inside. When I do this, mine doesn’t get dry enough to dry out the soil, but it does allow the moisture to dissipate. If this measure is not taken, your plants could suffer mold, damping off, or perhaps even root rot.
off-set your light hut’s lid to avoid excessive condensation
The only seeds I have ever sprouted were Mimosa tree seeds and one of them is a thriving tree at our previous home. Going to spout some to plant here at the home we have been in for almost two years. I love Mimosa trees! Last fall we planted a Magnolia tree. Hope it makes it through its first summer. Currently, I am trying to sprout an avocado seed. So far no roots…. Kristi, love your pictures. Love the fountain!
Ohhh, avocado would be lovely! I don’t know what a Mimosa tree is and I’m not familiar with Magnolia either, really–I guess I’m strictly food here, lol. Hope you can get the avocado going this year!
Another really great idea. The windows in my house don’t let in nearly enough light to sprout my seeds well and I bet this will work perfectly!
It works so well, Kim, and what’s really neat is that you don’t have to water very often. All the moisture seems to stay in there really nicely. The only time I would think you need to check on it for water is if you have it in a very warm location (I do, so in the summer I would need to water more). Hope it works well for you! Thanks for visiting, and for your comment!
I found this while searching for a sturdier option than the cardboard box! We will begin studying Apologia Botany late summer/early fall and I am curious if you are having the same/better results with this tub than you did with the cardboard box? I was trying to figure out if anything about the cardboard box was key to the design…..
Hi Anna!
Yes! I am having way better results with the plastic box in a couple of ways. I have made a couple of the cardboard boxes, but they tend to get wet, then dry kind of wonky. The plastic one is always intact. The cardboard box plants tend to need to be watered more often, where the plastic box plants will keep their water for a much longer time, depending on the surrounding temperature outside of the box. I was able to avoid watering for a good month this time around. Hope that helps!
Great idea. I’ve been thinking about attempting to start my plants from seeds this year (always been too busy or lazy to do it myself before) and this looks like a great system! Thanks for sharing. (Stopping by from the HomeAcre Hop!)
Thanks Joan! It really works well for sprouting seeds, they grow so nicely and there isn’t very much need for watering with the new and improved version of the light hut.
Thanks for stopping by! Nice to meet you!
Wonderful idea to make a seed starting system!! And probably a lot less expensive than the store bought versions… I share an apartment with my family so I’m not sure if I’ll have a place for this, but I’m interested in finding one so if I think of a place I will definitely be creating one of these! Most years I start all my seeds on my south facing patio outside since it is surrounded by rock walls and warms up really early in the season. This year since my bedroom has a super sunny south facing window, we intend to build shelves across the window itself to start seeds. I will definitely post a blog about it when we decide to get it done!
Found you on the Homeacre Hop!
Hi Desiree! We have a super small house, so this works fine for us. However, it *is* big and bulky and needs a home near an outlet. Perhaps a closet might work? If your weather is mild enough, starting seeds outdoors will work well too! Good idea, the shelves across the window! So creative!
Thanks for visiting!
Hi Kristi!
So cool! I use shop lights on a shelving until. Thanks so much for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop!
Thanks Lisa Lynn!
Thanks for sharing this on Wildcrafting Wednesday!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/wildcrafting-wednesday-7.html
Thanks for hosting, Lisa Lynn!
So do you use this only to sprout? Or do you use this to grow transplants for about a month (or however long it takes depending on the crop)?
Hi there! Thanks for your question.
I use it to sprout and grow them for a few weeks until they are large enough (and the weather is temperate enough) to start hardening them off. I have noticed that the longer they are kept in the light hut, the less healthy they begin to look, so it’s best to get them exposed to sun (a warm window, not outdoor direct sunlight) more sooner than later the way they would had they not been sprouted in a light hut. There’s no substitution for real sunlight, but the light hut is a great way to get them to sprout and get established.
What do you plant your seeds in -seed trays? And then put them in the box? It looks like a good idea…
Carolyn, yes, I am using Jiffy pellet flats this year. I put the whole flat inside of the box and let it do its thing.
Thanks for stopping by!
OH….I love this! Might have to change things up for the growing season next year.
It’s working out well this year, Nora. Better this year than ever, really since I’ve figured out the condensation issues.