Start an indoor grow stand for fresh homegrown salads

From mid-August through early November, daylight in the Pacific Northwest decreases by about three minutes per day. When the winter solstice arrives on Dec. 21 there is only 8.5 hours of daylight. This is an excellent time to start an indoor growing stand project.

Find a suitable location

Gardeners naturally want to place their grow stand near a window. However, with good artificial lighting, you can use a dark corner, unused room or counter, shower stall or heated basement. The size needs to match your growing goals. Once you decide on the size, it is time to decide whether to purchase a kit or build your own. Many kit options are available; some fit on a small tabletop, others are large tents that are mini-indoor greenhouses. Build your own with wood or pipe, or save money by repurposing shelving and lights you already have.

Selecting lighting

Grow stands need a good source of artificial lighting, ideally lights that produce a full spectrum of high-intensity light for rapid plant growth. Leafy greens and herbs need around five hours of direct sunlight each day. Most garden vegetables need up to 14 hours of light each day. Fluorescent or LED tube lights are an inexpensive alternative to a plant or grow light. Florescent lights give off some heat, which is beneficial to plants, but the glass bulbs can be easily broken. LED grow lights produce the highest intensity light but are the most expensive. Fluorescent lights should be hung one to three inches above the plants.

Heating pad selection and use

Size the pad to cover as much of the footprint of the plant tray(s) as possible. Place the plant tray on top of the pad. Often heat pads are sold rolled up in boxes. At room temperature, the pads are stiff. Before unrolling a pad, plug it in and let it warm up. Forcing them flat can break the heating elements inside.

Selecting what to plant

As a rule of thumb, plant what you like to eat. Avoid vegetables that take a long time to grow and are inexpensive to purchase. Concentrate on herbs and greens that are best eaten fresh. For detailed information and a planting calendar, read WSU Home Vegetable Gardening in Washington https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2073/2014/09/Home-Vegetable-Gardening-in-Washington.pdf

Growing seeds

If you are growing plant starts to transplant outdoors, start seeds around eight weeks before the last frost date. March is a good time to plant indoors. Plant each 6-pack with the same or similar seeds. Some plants like parsley will stay in the 6-pack for four to six weeks whereas lettuce will need to be transplanted in two to three weeks. It will take 5-14 days for seed germination. Some seeds will germinate faster if you soak them in water first. Follow directions on the seed packet and research specific germination information from seed companies.

More information: Skagit County/WSU Extension Ask A Master Gardener blog at https://www.skagitmg.org/indoor-grow-stand/

Kay Torrance has been a Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener since 2019. She is garden coordinator of the Naturescape garden and pond in the Discovery Garden on SR 536 west of Mount Vernon.

Information: skagitmg.org.