Grow lights for tomato starts - Ask Extension
Hello, I just planted some Oregon Star tomato seeds and plan to plant them in the garden early June. I’ve grown starts indoors before, and the bigge...
Knowledgebase
Grow lights for tomato starts #859442
Asked February 19, 2024, 5:09 PM EST
Hello, I just planted some Oregon Star tomato seeds and plan to plant them in the garden early June. I’ve grown starts indoors before, and the biggest problem I have is starts that are a bit on the leggy side. I have next used grow lights, but am guessing this would help? Would like some input on whether or not grow lights are a smart investment. If so, could you recommend one or two options? Thank you, Anca
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question Anca. Here is a great Extension article about starting tomatoes from seed: https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-tomatoes
Know that tomatoes (and peppers and eggplant--all related) should not be transplanted into the garden until the soil is warm (this chart recommends waiting until May https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9027.pdf), planting your seeds 8 weeks before planting, so March, at the earliest. Once the seeds have sprouted, they need consistent heat and light. The advantage of grow lights is that they have what is called "full spectrum" light, much like the sun. Light from other forms of bulbs, and sunlight coming in through windows do not provide them with the ultraviolet nor infrared parts of the light spectrum. So, since "leggy" plants often don't produce healthy or plentiful fruit, the investment in grow lights is well worth it.
What size and shape of grow lights depends upon how many seedlings you have, the size and shape of your growing environment, and available space. Just be sure that you keep the lights within 12 inches of the seedlings, adjusting the light upwards as the plants grow toward it. You can find many varieties of lights on line and in gardening centers.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Know that tomatoes (and peppers and eggplant--all related) should not be transplanted into the garden until the soil is warm (this chart recommends waiting until May https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9027.pdf), planting your seeds 8 weeks before planting, so March, at the earliest. Once the seeds have sprouted, they need consistent heat and light. The advantage of grow lights is that they have what is called "full spectrum" light, much like the sun. Light from other forms of bulbs, and sunlight coming in through windows do not provide them with the ultraviolet nor infrared parts of the light spectrum. So, since "leggy" plants often don't produce healthy or plentiful fruit, the investment in grow lights is well worth it.
What size and shape of grow lights depends upon how many seedlings you have, the size and shape of your growing environment, and available space. Just be sure that you keep the lights within 12 inches of the seedlings, adjusting the light upwards as the plants grow toward it. You can find many varieties of lights on line and in gardening centers.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Thank you for your response. I ended up buying grow lights with the following specs: "6000K White Light - equipped with 10 Red + 74 White LEDs, this growing Lamp is similar to the full-spectrum sunlight at noon." The wattage is 50, and it has a setting to set the light strength to 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%.
Are you able to provide add'l guidance on how many hours per day I should have the lights on for the seedlings? Also, what setting would you recommend for light strength?
Thank you very much! We love OSU-bred Oregon Star tomatoes and would like to have the healthiest plants that we can for planting out in the garden late May/early June.
Anca: I suggest that you read the following article and apply it to your seedlings: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/growing-seedlings-under-lights-fact-sheet
You may need to adjust time and proximity as they grow, increasing both if they appear leggy. (Different varieties have differing requirements.) Good luck!
You may need to adjust time and proximity as they grow, increasing both if they appear leggy. (Different varieties have differing requirements.) Good luck!
