Forum home› Tools and techniques

Do you recommend using a grow light?

NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
in Tools and techniques
Its my first time growing plants from seed, i'm going to plant lavender and rosemary which will stay indoors on a south-facing windowsill. Do you recommend I use a grow light for the germination period or do you think the light from the south-facing window will be enough? Maybe I could but a grow light and put it on for a few hours once its getting dark? Help appreciated!
«1

Posts

  • joepatrjoepatr Posts: 23
    I've grown lavender from seed with nothing more than our windowsills; especially if it's south facing you'll be just fine. I've got a grow light but only because all the windowsills in the house are full; I think the natural approach is just fine if you have adequate space. Our lavender was grown spring/summer 2019 and planted out in autumn 2019, we had some brilliant shows last summer and still building up to creating my hedge.
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    I'm growing seeds for years, never used a grow light
  • NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
    Thanks for your replies 😊 Maybe a window will be fine then... Especially as it'll hopefully be getting sunnier soon! I have a west facing windowsill right next to the south facing one too... Maybe I can just move the seedlings along with the sun?
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,399
    My windowsill is South East facing, grow lights have made an appreciable difference to how my seedlings have grown this year. I've positioned them to fill in on the shadow side of the windowsill. 

    10th March



    29th March



    Today

    May be an image of indoor


  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,902
    Daylight is much stronger now in comparison to a few weeks ago and there's more than 12 hours of daylight per day too.
    At this time of year I don't think a grow light would be needed if you have a sunny position for your seedlings once they have germinated

    Both rosemary and lavender like a really well drained compost.
    When I've sown lavender I add about 40-50% perlite to the compost so it's really free draining. The same would be good for Rosemary too and any similar herbs that need good drainage

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,332
    Why would you need a grow light?
  • NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
    Hmmm this seems like a divisive topic. Hard to know what to do. Many articles online and gardening YouTubers say I would need one. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,902
    People have been growing lavender and rosemary from seed for 100's years before YouTube arrived.
    The same goes for grow lights.
    Sow at the right time of year and there's no need.

    Sow in the middle of November and you definitely will need a good grow light.
    Simples!

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,332
    NewGardener25 said:
    Hmmm this seems like a divisive topic. Hard to know what to do. Many articles online and gardening YouTubers say I would need one. 

    For what?
  • NewGardener25NewGardener25 Posts: 47
    Okay, thanks everyone ☺ I'll skip the hassle of a grow light for now and grow them just using light from the south-facing grow light, maybe moving them to the west-facing window as the sun moves to be sure theyre getting a good dose of light.
Sign In or Register to comment.