Winter days can be gloomy, with short daylight hours and cloudy skies putting a damper on your plants’ growth. But don’t let the weather rain on your parade! With the right supplemental lighting, your greenhouse can continue to produce happy, thriving plants no matter the season. In this post, we’ll dive into the magic of supplemental lighting, show you how to hang lights like a pro, and highlight some top-notch options from California Lightworks and AC Infinity. Let’s get glowing!

Why Use Supplemental Lighting?

Plants are basically solar-powered. They soak up light to fuel photosynthesis, turning energy into growth. But when sunlight takes a vacation, supplemental lighting steps in as the superhero your plants deserve. Here’s how it saves the day:

  • Extend Daylight Hours: Provide your plants with extra light they need, even after the sun sets.
  • Enhance Growth: Support plant health during dreary, overcast days.
  • Support Specific Plant Needs: Fine-tune the light spectrum to cater to each plant’s specific needs and stages of growth.
  • Boost Yields: More light means more blooms, fruits, and veggies—and who doesn’t love that?

Hanging Supplemental Lights in Your Redwood Greenhouse

Your Sturdi-Built greenhouse is designed with supplemental lighting in mind. The redwood frame makes it easy to install lights safely and securely. Here’s how to set up your light show:

  • Find Secure Spots: Anchor your lights to roof rafters or beams for solid support.
  • Use Heavy-Duty Hardware: Opt for rust-resistant hooks, eye bolts, or carabiners that can handle the weight.
  • Go Adjustable: Adjustable rope ratchets or pulleys make it a breeze to tweak the height of your lights as your plants grow.
  • Spread the Glow: Position lights to evenly cover your greenhouse’s growing area. Overlap light footprints for maximum brightness.
  • Stay Safe: Use weatherproof cords and surge protectors to keep your setup safe from greenhouse humidity.

Recommended Supplemental Lighting Options

Our customers have relied on California Lightworks lighting for years, and we’re equally impressed with AC Infinity’s lighting and grow accessories for their reliability and performance.

California Lightworks

California Lightworks brings the sunshine indoors with powerful, efficient LED grow lights.

  • SolarSystem 250: Full-spectrum lighting that’s programmable to match your plants’ needs. Perfect for dialing in the ideal light balance.
  • SolarXtreme 500: Compact and plug-and-play, this balanced-spectrum light supports everything from leafy greens to vibrant blooms.
  • SolarSystem 275: A compact, energy-efficient option ideal for smaller setups or targeted lighting needs in Sturdi-Built greenhouses. It’s lightweight and easy to install.

Why we love them:

  • Minimal heat output keeps things cool.
  • Energy-efficient design saves you money.
  • Built tough for the long haul.

AC Infinity

Known for innovative grow solutions, AC Infinity lights deliver stellar performance with a sleek, modern touch.

Why they rock:

  • Slim, easy-to-hang designs.
  • Built-in dimmers let you dial in the perfect glow.
  • Wi-Fi Control: Easily manage your lights from your phone or tablet using the AC Infinity app. Adjust brightness, set schedules, and monitor performance remotely.
  • Accessory Integration: Sync your lights with other AC Infinity accessories like exhaust fans and controllers for a fully automated greenhouse system. This ensures ideal temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions without constant manual adjustments.
  • Super energy-efficient and durable.

Optimizing Your Lighting Setup

Ready to shine? Here’s how to make the most of your lights:

  • Team Up with Sunlight: Let supplemental lighting fill in the gaps, saving energy and boosting efficiency.
  • Keep an Eye on Intensity: A light meter helps ensure your plants get the right amount of love (measured in PAR or PPFD).
  • Tailor the Spectrum: More blue light for leafy growth, more red light for flowers and fruits. Easy!
  • Automate the Magic: Timers and smart controllers make your system practically set-it-and-forget-it.

Final Thoughts

With supplemental lighting, your Sturdi-Built redwood greenhouse can shine year-round. Whether you choose the cutting-edge tech of California Lightworks or the sleek efficiency of AC Infinity, you’re investing in brighter days for your plants. Install your lights securely, optimize their use, and watch your greenhouse come to life with lush, vibrant growth. It’s time to light up your gardening game and let your green thumb glow!

Happy Gardening!

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