HelpfulGardener.com

Hello Gardeners

I'm planning on starting a number of different plants this year.
(Peppers, zucchini and melons to name a few)

The plan is to have ten trays of seeds on shelves with fluorescent lights suspended above them.
This setup would be located in a closet in my basement.

The problem is that my basement is not as warm as I'd like it to be.
(about 70 degrees F)

I'd like to heat my closet to 80 degrees if I can.
What's the best way to do this?

It's not a huge amount of space, roughly 110 Cu. ft.
So I don't think I'd need a super heavy-duty heater.

Something energy efficient would be best. My landlord (and Father)
Doesn't want it adding $50 to his hydro bill.

Any input is much appreciated.

CFG

Have you tested your closet temps with the lights, yet? Even fluorescent lights will put out a lot of heat (especially those ballasts), so you might be surprised at the temp after you add the lights into a closed closet. You might get a little temp fluctuation when the lights go off, but lots of plants like a bit of cooling at night.

70 degrees isn't so bad. But some of the warm weather crops do like their soil a bit warmer for good/ quick germination. The key is it is the soil temp that matters, not the air temp. Don't heat the closet, just put a heat mat under the trays. I use regular heating pads from the pharmacy (sold for people to use). Just watch out, many of them now are sold with automatic timed cut-off, to turn off after a couple hours. You don't want that.

I use regular heating pads from the pharmacy (sold for people to use). Just watch out, many of them now are sold with automatic timed cut-off, to turn off after a couple hours. You don't want that.

Ha! I never thought to look for that in a pharmacy - but it makes sense