Plant Shelf

My plants weren't doing so well in the winter due to the lack of light. The lack of light caused the plants to use less water and the soil was too wet. Three plants I was trying to root (two Hawaiian tis and a blue ginger) were over potted, so they were even damper and an infestation of spring-tails developed. To combat the low light, I decided to make a shelf with full-spectrum lights.

Pre-built stands cost around 200$+ at Canadian Tire or Home Depot, but I wasn't going to pay that. From Home Depot, I got a plastic modular shelf, a Keter WorkForce 5-tier shelf, for about 60$, two fluorescent fixtures, GE Basic 28" fluorescent lights, for 14$@, and two full spectrum tubes, Philips Agro-Lights, for 7$@. I attached the fluorescent fixtures with nuts and machine screws through the slats in the shelving. Coupled with a timer and an extension cord, I have a very nice shelf.

I am impressed how professional it looks. Since everything is nice moulded plastic of vaguely the same colour, it doesn't look like a kludge.