VOLUME 1: INDOOR GARDENING FOUNDATION Essential First Shopping List
If youre just getting started and taking a
look around a grow store for the rst time
the range of equipment, plant products
and growing methods can be bewildering
-in fact, its almost as diverse as the
variety of plants you can grow!
So check out this list of essential hard-
ware youll need to get up and running.
INFOSHEET 10101: No self-respecting indoor gardener can
do without this stu. Your indoor garden
will be taking shape in no time!
Indoor Garden
GROW LAMP
Design & Build
Grow lamps provide light for your
indoor plants to grow and bloom.
There are different types which vary
in color spectrum and power. Its
important to choose a light that is
suited to your application: e.g.
whether the plants are growing or
flowering.
Essential First Shopping List REFLECTOR & LAMP HOLDER
A reflector dramatically increases
the efficiency of your grow lamp by
directing light down towards your
plants. They also help to spread the
light and avoid hotspots. Air-cooled
reflectors require an additional fan
to blow air across the lamp. This
removes heat from around the
grow lamp and makes environmen-
tal control much easier.
BALLAST
A small box that generates a spike
of high-voltage electricity to ignite a
high intensity discharge grow lamp.
After ignition a ballast transforms and
regulates the flow of electricity to the
lamp for steady operation. Two types
of ballast are commonly available:
Magnetic core and coil and the
more modern electronic (aka
digital) ballasts.
RELAY
When a magnetic grow light ballast
fires up it draws a large amount of
electricity to ignite the lamp. If it is
connected directly to a standard
timer this will invariably cause it to
malfunction permanently. A relay is
an essential go-between that
NOTE: An Intermatic Heavy-Duty protects the timer from the ballast.
Plug-In Timer can control a single Electronic ballasts are soft start,
grow light (up to 1,000 watts) meaning they do not have a big initial
without a relay.
draw, but it is good practice when
using multiple ballasts to use a relay.
Introduction LIGHT HANGING EQUIPMENT
You will need to hang your grow
lamp securely above your plants. If
So you want to start growing indoors? Great! But, before you set up your you are not using a grow tent then
indoor garden, please take a few moments to read through this time- you will need to either build a
framework or hang your lights from
tested advice. Gardening indoors is easy, unless you choose to make life the ceiling. SunGrip Light Hangers
dicult for yourself! So make sure you plan your indoor garden properly are an ideal solution for hanging
and adjusting grow lights quickly
beforehand. It will save you time, eort and money in the long run. and easily.
Essential First Shopping List Other Items to Consider
TIMER GROW TENT
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A grow light simulates the sun so it needs to switch on and off at the same time over a Highly recommendedgrow tents
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24-hour cycle. Sure, its possible to do this manually but it really isnt all that practical in the make setting up your indoor garden so
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long term. By connecting your grow light to a timer you can be sure that your plants are much easier! Straightforward for one
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receiving the right amount of light each day. Many plants use day / night length as a trigger person alone to construct, grow tents
to start producing flowers and fruit. Analogue and digital timers are available. are light proof and reflective inside,
and provide a framework upon which
to hang grow lights and other
equipment. Available in many different
shapes and sizes.
EXTRACTION FAN
Its vital that your indoor garden is constantly supplied with fresh air to regulate
FAN SPEED CONTROLLER
temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels for optimum plant health. Indoor Fan speed controllers measure the
gardeners commonly use extraction fans to remove old air and pump in new air. Fans are temperature in your garden and
rated according to the volume of air (in cubic feet) they can move in a minute. They are adjust the power of your extraction
also specified in terms of compatible ducting and filter diameters (e.g. 4, 6, 8, 12 fans accordingly so that you stay as
etc.) Its very important to select the correct size fan for your grow space. close as possible to the ideal.
OSCILLATING FAN
PH TESTING METER
Once fresh air has been brought into your indoor garden, it needs to be moved around
and dispersed so that all your plants can benefit evenly. An oscillating fan looks like a Growers using hydroponics (soilless)
regular desk fan. The most important air to move is between the grow lamp and the tops growing techniques need to pay
of your plants. This helps greatly to regulate temperatures in your indoor garden. special attention to the pH of their
NOTE: Its possible to fix ducting to slightly larger (or smaller) fans and filters using an nutrient solution. pH is a measure of
appropriate reducer. the acidity / alkalinity and it has a big
effect on the availability of different
nutritional elements to your plants.
CARBON FILTER
CONDUCTIVITY METER
Carbon filters remove odors and other particulates from the air, essential for maintaining
a healthy and pleasant working and growing environment. They are most commonly A conductivity meter (also known as
available as metal cylinders filled with activated carbon and sheathed in a white fabric an EC or TDS meter) measures the
dust filter. Indoor gardeners attach carbon filters to extraction fans so that air is drawn concentration of your nutrient
through the filter and purified. solution. These meters are worth their
weight in gold when it comes to
insuring youre not under - or
over-feeding your plants.
DUCTING AND ACCESSORIES
Ducting is special tubing designed to be attached to extraction fans so that air can be
directed in and out of your indoor garden. Ducting is available in various sizes (to fit your
choice of fan) and can be insulated and non-insulated. You will need duct-tape and / or Pro Tools
quick release clamps to fix your ducting to your extraction fan.
REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTER
Tap water often contains many
minerals which can change the
intended balance of some nutrients.
MIN/MAX THERMOMETER / HYGROMETER Reverse Osmosis filters leave just the
H20 behind. Various sizes are available
Its essential that you know whats going on in your indoor garden, both when the lights
with different operating efficiencies.
are on and when theyre off. A Min/Max Thermometer / Hygrometer not only measures
Use with Cal/Mag specialist nutrients
temperature and humidity, but also records the maximum and minimum readings over
to minimize pH swings.
any given period.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH:
PROPAGATOR
Young seedlings and cuttings require a high humidity environment in order to establish
themselves properly. A propagator is a transparent plastic box, like a mini-greenhouse,
that traps moisture and therefore maintains higher humidity levels. Its an essential piece
of kit to welcome your tender new plants into the world. Both heated and unheated
propagators are available.
DONT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THESE INFOSHEETS:
10102 Choosing and evaluate a space for your indoor garden
10103 How to calculate your lighting and ventilation requirements
10104 Choosing a growing method that works for you
LIGHT PROOFING AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS
In order to achieve total control over your plants processes (e.g. timing when plants are
triggered to produce fruit) it can be important to regulate the light your plants receive and
correctly simulate the day and the night. You may well need to invest in some
lightproof plastic sheeting in order to prevent natural sunlight coming in through
windows, etc. Reflective sheeting on walls helps to bounce precious light back onto your
plants and dramatically increase the efficiency of your grow lights.
For grow tips, expert advice, and educational videos check out
JUST4GROWERS.com