How to Build a Grow Light Stand for Plants and Seedlings

Even in the South, January is an unforgiving month for growing vegetables. 

However, since early Spring weather is only a few weeks long here in Georgia, you really need to start your Spring seedlings in January or early February for them to produce before it gets too hot. 

This means you need to start seedlings indoors. And you don’t need to buy a fancy grow light hanger. You can build one yourself in a few hours for a few bucks.

This Grow Light Hanger is inspired by the Georgia Gardener's tips on building a PVC pipe light stand. His instructions are available here. 

Here's what you need to get started:

1. 1 Shop Light (T 12)
2. PVC Cement (Heavy Duty) and a PVC Ratcheted Pipe Cutter
3. 6 1/2 in. PVC Tees
4. 8 1/2 in. PVC 45° elbows
5. 3 10 ft. lengths of 1/2 in Schedule 40 PVC Pipe
6. Measuring Tape and a Marker
7. 4 1/2 in. PVC 90° elbows
8. 2 Fluorescent Grow Lights (T 12)

Once you've gone to Home Depot or Lowe's or whatever hardware store you prefer, set up your building area. Now the PVC cement will need to dry in a well ventilated area, so if you have good weather you can build outside. I built mine in a basement garage, so I had several fans going for ventilation when I glued everything together.

Make sure you bought Schedule 40 PVC pipe, elbows, and tees. It won't fit together correctly otherwise.

 
Next, get ready to cut your PVC pipe. This is where your measuring tape and your marker come in handy. I use the adage "measure twice, cut once" and it's never let me down.

Cut your PVC pipe into the following sections:

1. 3 lengths of 48 in. pipe
2. 2 lengths of 18 in. pipe
3. 4 lengths of 12 in. pipe
4. 4 lenghts of 9 in. pipe
5. 8 lengths of 1 in. pipe

I used a ratcheting PVC pipe cutter instead of a handsaw. As you can see from the picture, you can cut one-handed with the pipe cutter. A handsaw leaves rough edges and takes a lot longer.

 

On to part 2.