Window Sill Seedling Garden

I've always loved gardening, but living in Minneapolis presents some challenges. Most notably, our short growing season means that starting plants like tomatoes and peppers (some of our favorites) inside is a must. I tried all kinds of ways to successfully start seedlings inside, but every one seemed to have a fatal flaw.

Covering the kitchen counters with little plants for several weeks every spring got old fast.

Setting up a whole growing table with lights took lots of room in our small house, and was ugly besides. We moved it to the basement laundry room, but it was too cold and there was no natural light. Besides, we kept forgetting to water them down there. Precariously stacking little cups of dirt on a south windowsill meant the toddlers and dog knocked them all over. Besides, even a south window doesn't give enough light to grow healthy seedlings.

Finally we settled on these narrow shelves hung across a south window with some fluorescent lights above. This set up checks all the boxes. For the first time in 8 years, our seedling garden was a joy, rather than just a hassle.

1. At 7" deep, they take up virtually no space.
2. Made from scrap lumber, the project was both free and sustainable
3. Combining the natural light from a south-facing window with the glow of a fluorescent utility light means we get strong, healthy seedlings, but only burn the light for a few hours each evening.
4. Being right in our dining room, we get to enjoy watching the little green "baby plants" grow up and don't forget to water them.
5. Attaching the shelves via French cleats means they can be lifted off and put away once the plants are moved out to the garden in late spring.
6. This may be a pro or a con for you, but be aware that when the grow lights are turned on in the evening, the whole setup glows like beacon, showing off your window sill garden to the world. I don't mind, although I do close the curtains to keep the rest of the room private.

I do recommend taking some time to set up the height properly. My lowest one is high enough to be out of reach for the kids (almost). I also spaced them so the bottom one is appropriate for smaller plants (you want them to be close to the light), and the top for taller ones. Another strategy I considered is using Rubbermaid track shelf brackets to support the shelves, rather than French cleats. This would have the advantage of infinite height adjustability, but the disadvantage of having to buy something (French cleats are easily made from scrap wood).

The French cleat is a very old, very simple method for hanging things. As you can see, a board is cut at a 45 degree angle. The top part is fastened to the shelf. The bottom part is fastened to the wall. Then the shelf can simply be set on top and it hangs securely. When removed, only the lower piece of wood is left, easily covered by a curtain.

Our two year old daughter loves the garden, and is always asking me to pick her up so she can look at the "baby plants."