My brother-in-law loves gardening. He was raised on a small farm and had a lot of experience with gardening growing up. When he went to college, he decided to study landscape design so that he could turn his love of gardening into a career. Whenever I visit my sister’s home, there are plants everywhere. During the spring and summer, there are flowers lining the porch and vegetables growing in the backyard. During the fall and winter, there are always plants growing inside on the tables and floors. I don’t think my brother-in-law would feel complete without something growing in his home. Since we live in an area with cold winters, it’s impossible to grow outdoors during the winter. When I was trying to decide what to get for my brother-in-law last Christmas, I came across an article about another gardener who had great success growing many different kinds of plants indoors using an LED grow light. I knew that I had found his perfect Christmas gift.
LED grow lights come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and strengths. You can find LED grow lights to fit any budget, from $10 for a single bulb all the way up to $600 for a large panel. I purchased a smaller light capable of growing 2 or 3 plants for around $20. The light even came mounted on a clamp for easier placement. My brother-in-law loved the gift, and has since started his own indoor vegetable garden. If you plan to purchase an LED grow light for the gardener in your life, there are a few helpful tips you should know. First, be sure that you are purchasing an LED light rather than an HID or CFL light. HID and CFL bulbs are high wattage lights that use more energy and are less efficient. Also, the bright white light that they produce is not ideal for plant growth or flowering.
Some HID and CFL plant lights will actually do more harm than good if the gardener is not careful about watching the plants and watering correctly. HID and CFL bulbs can get too warm and actually brown or wilt the plants. Most plants can flourish with only a limited range of reds and blues, rather than the full spectrum of light provided by the sun and most HID and CFL bulbs. The process of photosynthesis responds best to these red and blue bands of light. Around 90% of light emitted by LED bulbs is red or blue, compared with only about 15% of light emitted by HID and CFL bulbs. Some LED grow light makers have attempted to put other bands of white and full-spectrum light back into their bulbs in order to make them appeal to buyers; however, this is not necessary. All that is required for successful indoor growth are 2 blue light bands, 2 red light bands, and infrared light.
Read the information on your LED grow light carefully before purchasing so you know you are getting the right bands. Finally, it is important to consider what your gardener typically grows and decide what size of light will fit best before purchasing. Different plants require different amounts of light, and those who grow flowers will require more than those who do not. For example, you will need more light for zucchini than you will for lettuce. Also, consider how large of an area your gardener uses indoors. A whole room of plants will require several lights, while a few pots may only need one or two. Read the manufacturer’s recommendations as far as types of plants and size of grow areas before buying to ensure the best fit. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your gardener, purchase an energy-efficient LED grow light. These lights are affordable, effective, and easy to use year-round. Your gardener will love this thoughtful and useful gift.