over winter??? or do you want them to continue growing????

all the multi-hundred dollar setups aside..

all you need is two 2 light shop lights.. fluorescent ... and a way to hang them.. so the lights are adjustable to height .... which means some teacup hooks and hardware chain ....

when i built mine.. i went to english gardens.. and bought only the trays for the 500 dollar setup ... for REAL CHEAP .. and then used 2 x 4's to build the structure..

i know its way more than you need.. but there are pics below ...

and you dont need any special lamps ... just 4 4 foot lights.. replaced each season ... and a simple timer for about 16 hours on.. 8 off .... with one on/off cycle in the middle of the off period ...

ken
{{gwi:262007}}
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the lights have to be about 2 inches from the plants.. and adjusted all winter long .... like pic below .... and that is a good reason.. they should all be in uniform pots ...

in march or so.. you can also start seeds.. like impatiens ... etc ...
{{gwi:262008}}

Hey Ken - I already have a set up like that for starting seeds, it does work great.

I'm looking for a small table-top light set up where I can pop in those specialty grow lights and put the herbs under to grow.

with 4 lights per level ... you dont need the special lights .... its all about INTENSITY of the light.. NOT THE SPECTRUM ....

and dont you grow your seeds on toward bigness???? why is that any different than your herbs??? the special bulbs is ALL MARKETING ..

ken

True, true - but another issue I have is some of the herbs are in good-sized clay pots - they won't fit on my light cart because of the height. My lights are adjustable, but the shelves are a fixed height, so the lights can only be raised as high as the next shelf up. I'm also worried about the weight of the clay pots on the shelves - probably too heavy a load (my shelves are wire mesh).

Oh also - the light cart is in the lower level laundry room (equivalent to the basement), and I know I'd forget about them down there and forget to water and such. I don't forget about the seeds in the spring, that's an ongoing project, but I can almost guarantee I'd forget the herbs and they'd croak. Really would be better to keep them on the main level where I can see them, plus would be nice to enjoy something green in the house over winter (I'm awful with houseplants).