- Natural Light:
- Harness that, Power!
Good lighting makes the difference between plants that are strong and hardy or weak and spindly. The process starts indoors with seedlings and inside plants. What does it take for strong growth? Then as Spring approaches, we transition to outdoor lighting. How can we best use the sun to our advantage?
- Capturing Sunlight:
To get your seedlings started, many recommend a sunny windowsill. In the northern hemisphere, that means a large south-facing window. This will provide your plants with a good measure of free, full-spectrum light. But relying exclusively on ambient light has its drawbacks.
REDUCED SOLAR RADIATION: First of all there are seasonal effects on solar radiation. In a temperate Winter, the days are shorter. These reduced photoperiods mean diminished growth. Also, the sunlight intensity is reduced due to the inclination of the sun. In some regions, Winters may be plagued by overcast days. This all impacts the amount of light available to your plants.
“EFFICIENT” WINDOWS: The light that DOES reach your windows is reduced even further upon entry. As sunlight passes through a layer of glass, there is a reduction in light intensity. With advances in window efficiency, we commonly see double-pane or even triple-pane windows. That’s good for your utility bills, but not for your seedlings.
Do your windows have a screen? Are your windows dirty? These factors can further reduce the light levels. Additionally, we now have Low-E glass that filters out a lot of the sun’s UV light. Plants benefit from UV light, so they are at a disadvantage.
