Shelving for seedlings is convenient to use when growing plants from seeds until the moment when the weather becomes favorable for planting mature seedlings in open ground. They allow you to save space, simplify the care of plants. In addition, if you attach artificial lighting to the shelves, then the seedlings can be grown regardless of the location of the rack.
Basic requirements for the rack
Shelving for seedlings can be made of various materials, but in any case it should be:
- durable;
- Reusable
- convenient, that is, to provide comfortable conditions for caring for plants (it is important to have quick access to seedlings for irrigation, inspection and loosening);
- with an aesthetically attractive look.
The dimensions of the structure can be completely different, but shelving with the following parameters is considered universal:
- number of shelves - from 3 to 6;
- shelf length - sufficient to accommodate standard fluorescent lamps (t. from 50 cm);
- height between shelves - from 40 to 50 cm;
- the distance from the floor to the lower shelf is from 10 cm.
Often the lower shelf is used to store various garden tools or household items.
If you do not plan to keep seedlings on the last shelf, you can leave the top of the rack open by installing a front and rear horizontal support instead of the top shelf. They will not only hold the entire structure, but will also be a great place to mount lighting elements.
Material selection
The rack should be strong, waterproof and durable, which should be taken into account when choosing a material. Let us consider in more detail the possible materials for the manufacture of the rack:
- Wood. One of the most popular materials, because it breathes, looks natural and beautiful, but has a significant drawback - it absorbs moisture. In this regard, when choosing a breed, solid grades should be preferred, since they absorb moisture worse than others. These include maple, ash and oak. In addition, it is worth using special impregnations that help solve the problem of wetting of wood.
- Metal. It is better to choose stainless steel, as it will not allow the formation of corrosion. As racks, you can use profiles and even metal pipes, and the shelves can be made of a sheet of metal or a durable mesh. In general, iron structures are durable and quite reliable, but they will cost more and require considerable effort in the manufacture of the rack, since working with metal requires certain skills and the availability of expensive fixtures.
- Plastic. Such material has many advantages - it is durable, easy to wash, does not absorb moisture. In the manufacture of shelving, you can use not only plastic sheets, but also pipes.
- Plexiglass. From this material, you can assemble a transparent original design that looks stylish and modern. Plexiglas comes in different colors, so you can assemble a rack with multi-colored shelves.
- Plywood. It is easy to process, but quickly gets wet, so it is not the best choice in the manufacture of shelving for seedlings. However, if plywood is still used, then it is worth preparing several pieces of film or oilcloth to wrap the shelves with it, otherwise their quick damage is inevitable.
The choice of material depends on financial capabilities and engineering design solutions, however, if the choice is between plywood, plastic and plexiglass, it is better to give preference to the second or third option. Such materials have a long service life, and also do not require any coating to protect against moisture.
Having prepared the material, you should also acquire the necessary tools for the construction of the rack, namely: a saw (regular or end), a drill, a screwdriver or a conventional screwdriver, etc.
Types of designs
For seedlings, you can collect a design of the following types:
- Stationary. A suitable option for a specially equipped room for growing plants, since the structure is not disassembled, but is fixed in several directions. Its advantages are that it is reliable and durable.
- Collapsible. If the free space is limited, then it is better to choose such a structure, since it is convenient to move it, and after growing seedlings it can be completely removed.
- Window. This design is installed on the windowsill in the window opening. This design is suitable for germinating a small amount of seedlings. Often window racks are used to grow greens to the table throughout the year.
Each design has its own advantages, so the choice is best made based on your own preferences and financial capabilities.
Wooden shelving for seedlings
If you plan to make a bookcase of wood, you will initially need to draw a sketch of it in order not to forget what sizes to stick to. Here is an example of a suitable circuit:
It is better to make shelves of timber in the form of a longitudinal lattice. They will be stronger than plywood shelves, although the design will turn out to be more bulky and heavy.
After preparing the sketch, you need to collect the following materials and tools:
- a wooden bar for racks with a section of 45x60 mm (2 pcs. of 3 m, you can immediately ask to cut 1.5 m);
- wooden beam for crossbars with a cross section of 20x60 mm (2 pcs. 2 m, you can immediately ask to cut 50 cm);
- a wooden board for shelves with a cross section of 22x100 mm (5 parts with a length of 75 cm go to one shelf, then 4-5 boards of 3 m are needed for all 4 shelves);
You can save on boards for shelves, if they are laid not close to each other, but at a short distance from each other. There will be a shelf in the form of a wooden lattice.
- a saw;
- self-tapping screws, nails;
- a chisel;
- a hammer;
- joiner's glue;
- roulette wheel;
- pencil.
After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, you can go directly to the construction of the rack. This process, in fact, consists of two main stages - cutting of parts and their assembly. We consider each stage separately.
Cutting parts
The timber purchased in a hardware store must be cut taking into account the following parameters:
- the length of the bars for the manufacture of the supporting parts of the rack (racks) - 1.5 m;
- bar length for crossbars - 50 cm;
- the length of the boards for the shelves is 75 cm.
On each beam, you need to measure the required length, draw a line and cut along it using an end saw or a conventional saw. To save overall time, it is advisable to use a circular saw or jigsaw. According to the results of cutting, you need to get such elements of the future design:
- 4 supports of 1.5 m long;
- 8 short squared beams;
- 15-20 boards for shelves.
To further strengthen the rack, you can prepare bars that need to be screwed already to the finished structure diagonally at the rear wall.
Assembly
Prepared boards need to be connected like a designer to get a finished product. You must act in this order:
- Mark with a pencil where the groove for the cross member will be located, applying it to the support bar:The first cross-beam should be located at a distance of 23-24 cm from the edge of the support beam, and the next 40 cm from each other. Measurements should be made from the end of the support beam, which is in contact with the floor. This will ensure that the shelves are at the same height.
- At the marking sites, first make cuts taking into account the thickness of the cross member, and then cut out the grooves with a hammer and a chisel.
Note that the cross member must be recessed into the groove. - Between the two supporting bars, fasten the first cross member by driving it into the groove with a hammer (dimensions in mm in the photo).
The attachment points are recommended to be pre-treated with wood glue and additionally fixed with screws.
- After 40 cm, fix one more cross-member, and two more behind it (the last cross-member will be at the very top edge). The result should be a kind of staircase.
- In the above manner, prepare the second side of the structure.
- Place the boards from which the shelves will be between the two support posts. Fasten them to the crossbars using self-tapping screws or nails.
- Cut corners in the outer boards so that the support beams enter into them.
- In the same way, create two upper shelves.
- The top shelf can be made more authentic.
Finished designs will look like this:
If during assembly the joints were not treated with glue, such a rack can be easily disassembled by simply unscrewing the screws. In order not to waste time disassembling, after growing seedlings, the rack can be moved to another place and used to store books, tools, cans with blanks, etc.
This version of the rack is made of a metal corner. It is lightweight, which is its indisputable advantage.
Before proceeding with the assembly, you will need to prepare the following materials and tools:
- metal corner measuring 40x40 mm;
- boards for shelves;
- face saw;
- self-tapping screws for assembly;
- metal drill;
- electric drill for preparing holes for fasteners;
- roulette;
- marker for marking.
The amount of material needed should be calculated based on how tall the racks will be and how long the shelves will be.
Having prepared everything you need, you can cut metal and begin assembling the rack.
Metal cutting
From a metal corner, cut elements of a future design:
- 4 racks 1.5 m high;
- 4 crossbars of 50 cm each;
- 4 shelves, the length of which should correspond to the desired length of the rack.
The length of the rack must be determined taking into account the place where it is planned to place the structure.
Assembly
The rack is assembled according to this instruction:
- Drill holes in the places where the elements are supposed to be connected.
- Fasten the parts with self-tapping screws (or can be riveted).
- Cut the boards with a saw into the canvas of the right size to cover the space between the supports of each level and get shelves.
- Lay the shelves between the rails to get a finished shelf.
Window sill
The problem of limited space will be solved by a window rack, on which you can hold a large number of seedlings.
To make such a rack you will need:
- wooden beam with a section of 20x20 mm;
- a sheet of plywood (if you decide to make shelves from it);
- jigsaw;
- a screwdriver and screws or nails and a hammer;
- roulette;
- pencil.
Having prepared everything you need, you can begin to manufacture the rack:
- The bar mode is in pieces: for support, you will need 4 bars of 80 cm each, for crossbars - 4 bars of 27 cm long.
- Mark on each support bar. We measure from the top edge of 5 cm, and from the bottom - 37.5 cm.
- To assemble the lateral part of the structure, it is necessary to nail two crossbars in two places where the mark is made. For structural stability, a diagonal profile can be attached to each supporting structure.
- Assemble the second side part of the structure as previously indicated.
- Nail between the sides of the shelf. They can be made from the same timber or cut from a sheet of plywood. Shelf racks can be not only wooden, but also glass, but for reliability they should be fixed with adhesive pads.
- If necessary, you can fix the backlight under each shelf.
The diagram shows standard sizes that can be adjusted taking into account the width and depth of a particular window opening.
Plastic pipe rack
This type of structure is assembled like a metal rack. It has a small specific weight, so it is easy to move around the room.
To make a rack, you will need:
- PVC pipes;
- hacksaw;
- tees (4 pcs.);
- corners (12 pcs.);
- corner crosses (4 pcs.);
- roulette;
- marker for marking.
You can assemble the rack according to the following instructions:
- Cut 4 long pipes for supports (180 cm each), 6 cross-pieces (50 cm each), 4 crossbeams (150 cm each) and 4 “short” pipes 30-40 cm each.
- First, take one crossbeam 50 cm long, and put on it two tees at an equal distance from each other. Do the same with the second cross member.
- Take 4 pipes of 180 cm and cut each in half (i.e. 90 cm). Connect the two parts together using an angular cross. Connect the rest as well. You should get 4 of these elements. Place two elements parallel to each other.
- Insert one assembled cross member first into the crosspiece, forming the letter “H” from the pipes. Do the same with the second pair of elements. It turned out two separate structures in the form of "H".
- Take two more crossbars 50 cm long. Using the corners, fix one on the top and the second on the bottom of the H-shaped structure. You get a new figure - eight, like on an electronic clock. There will be two such details. These are vertical supporting walls. Place them parallel to each other.
- Insert into the last free holes of the cross pieces along the crossbeam. Thus, the two side support walls will be interconnected and will be able to stand stably.
- In the resulting frame, only the “shelf” is missing. Using the corners, fix one “short” pipe at each end of the crossbeam. The result is a bracket-shaped design. Such parts of the shelf will be 2 pieces. Insert them into the remaining free holes of the tees, placing the parts of the shelf parallel to each other.
- Set pots with seedlings on the "shelf". From above it is possible to install a pendant lamp, fixing it firmly on the side posts.
At the bottom of the shelf you can put a sheet of plywood if you use pots, but it’s better to just choose tall cassettes or roomy seedling drawers.
Homemade pallet rack
If the seedlings will be grown in a small apartment, the problem of placing containers with plants can be solved using a narrow vertical pallet structure mounted on one of the walls. To make it, you will need:
- pallet (cargo box);
- wooden beam (4 pcs. 3 m each);
- wooden slats;
- a hammer;
- nails
- pencil;
- roulette.
You can assemble the rack according to the following instructions:
- We make a rack for three spans. Cut the beam 1.5 m long. Get 8 parts.
- Cut 18 slats as long as the width of the pallet.
- Take two bars, and place them parallel to each other. Depart from the top as much as the thickness of the pallet (about 10 cm). Fasten the slats with the nails to the bars so that a structure similar to a ladder is obtained. Pallets will be installed on these racks as shelves. The distance between the shelves should be about 40 cm.
- Place pallets on rails. For reliability, they can be fixed with nails or planted on carpentry glue.
Choosing a lighting device and setting the backlight
If you plan to place the rack in a rather lighted place, then you do not need to install additional lights, otherwise they will still need to be installed to guarantee seedlings the necessary daylight hours.
Lamps should provide bright light, but at the same time emit a minimum of heat, otherwise seedlings can get serious burns. In this regard, any lighting devices, except incandescent lamps, can be used for lighting. Here are the best options:
- High Pressure Sodium. Such lamps emit an orange-yellow glow, which contributes to the growth of seedlings. In addition, it does not irritate the human eye, therefore, such lamps can be used in residential premises.As their disadvantage, one can single out the high cost and the need to use a power regulator during their installation.
- Phytolamps. Although the spectrum of such lamps is well suited for plants, it is dangerous for human eyes. When installing them, you need to configure them so that the light hits the seedlings from above and from the side. The distance from the lamp to the tops of the plants should be at least 10 cm.
- Fluorescent lamps. Such lamps give a cold light, in which there is no red component of the spectrum. They need to be installed at a distance of 30-60 cm from seedlings. In addition, to ensure uniform heating of the plant, the lamps should protrude 5 cm from the edge of the shelves.
- LED lamp. Plants that are illuminated with such lamps give a larger crop, so they are used more often than other options. In addition, such lamps consume little electricity, and also combine the most necessary spectra for plants - blue and red.
Since LED lamps are in greatest demand, consider the installation of lighting on their example. In the store of electrical products, it is necessary to purchase lamps whose length corresponds to the dimensions of the rack (or rather the length of the shelves).
At the same time, it is extremely important to observe safety precautions - do not leave the bare electric wire in the public domain, but turn off the electricity during the preparatory work.
Necessary materials and tools:
- red and blue diodes on the tape;
- glue "Moment" (transparent);
- plastic base or baseboard with cable duct;
- screwdriver and screws;
- switch;
- plug and wire;
- insulating tape;
- reflectors.
The installation instructions for the backlight are as follows:
- Fasten the chain of LEDs on a plastic base.
- Connect the tape to the switch, and from it stretch the wire with the plug to the outlet. If you plan to run electrical wiring through metal corners, then you need to drill holes in them. Of course, you can go the simpler way - carefully distribute the wire along each metal element.
- Fasten the base with tape to the bottom of the shelf. To do this, you can use the transparent moment glue.
- Fix mirrors or sheets of foil on the sides of the rack to reflect light.
If the shelves are made of plexiglas, then through them the light will freely fall on the seedlings, which is an additional advantage of this design.
In the following video, you can clearly see how the lighting from the LED strip is mounted in the finished rack for plants:
To grow healthy and strong seedlings, it is necessary to provide the seedlings with sufficient heat and light. A favorable microclimate for them can be created using racks for seedlings, which will also help solve the problem with a lack of free space. Similar designs can be made independently, using the above ideas, diagrams and instructions.