Got my seedling/sewing/craft/store room partway set up

16 years ago

I finally went to work on this room last night, got all the stuff to be stored put away in closets, got my colorful little 'kindergarden' storage rack set up, played around with positioning for the seedling starter shelves... then today, I thought about the $2.99 (yes 2.99) tables that I picked up on clearance at Home Depot. So, I hauled one of those in from the garage, added a couple of TV trays and folding chairs, and I'm well on my way with having my room set up. I need to add the flourescent shop lights (that serve me as grow lights), a fan (for circulations), and then bring in some plant trays from the garage and I'll be all set. I'm pretty pleased with the results so far.

I know it doesn't look much like a storeroom, but the closet is large and mostly filled. I love all the storage space in this house. There is a closet under the stairway where I've got my seasonal decorations and vacuum, a closet in the family room where I've got all the boxes for my collectibles (hummingbird and horse statues), a closet in the office (office stuff), a closet in the hallway (coats), a closet in the kitchen (cleaning supplies), a closet in the guest room (sheets, blankets), and two closets in my bedroom (one for clothes and one for out of season clothes). The size of this place is really overkill for one person, but I do love it!

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Comments (6)

jel48
Original Author
16 years ago
bumping down
ladylotus
16 years ago
This looks like it would be a great set up for seedlings. Does the room face south or do you have to supply quite a bit of light? This year I am going to try growing quite a few annuals from seed. I have been filling in my gardens with perennials and have not been able to afford annuals. So it will be fun to play with them this summer. ;)
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I couldn't agree more! it's ALL about organizing your "stuff". I sew for my supper, and if my own workroom wasn't well organized I'd be dead in the water. The other aspects that I've found problematic over the years are: 1.) poor lighting 2.) not enough tabling. You have to have good, task-specific lighting. As I've gotten older and my eyes have begun to do the "40s bi-focal thing" I've become more aware of its importance. Drafting lamps that you can clamp onto things are extremely helpful and can be purchased on sale at big box stores. Tabling is more problematic, I think. This is especially true if you want to make draperies or BIG things. Working on the floor is an option (buy some soft knee pads!!!) but working on your hands and knees sucks and if it sucks... well, you ain't gonna want to get up and finish the project the next morning... ESP. if you've had to clear the space for dinner, etc.. Also under the "organization" tent is SCHEDULING. This is so very, VERY important to home sewers because too often you guys have NO clue how long a project will take! I know how long something will take within minutes of assessing it. But I've been sewing professionally for close to 30 yrs. now, AND I have the tools and machinery to do the jobs with greater ease than many of you do. Here's an example: It takes me 3 1/2 hrs. to cut out a fully boxed cushion, the requisite welting ("piping"), assemble it completely, cut out the foam, and stuff it. But I've made HUNDREDS of them. Working with one machine, no experience, on your dining room table it might take you a full day. SO, it makes it lots easier if you have a place where you can set up, AND STAY SET UP until you finish the project. In my years sewing, and also TEACHING sewing I've found the greatest barrier to FUN is setting up and putting away.
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jel48
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Ladylotus. No, the windows are on the east and north. There will be florescent shop lights hanging from the ceiling above the top shelf, and under each shelf except the bottom. I'll have to see how much they effect the electricity bill, but when I've raised seedlings before (except for winter seeding, of course) I've kept the lights on them 24x7. I also keep a fan blowing in the room to help prevent damping off.

The seedlings are a lot of fun, even though they are a fair amount of work when grown indoors, because of all the watering they take once they are growing. You can't let them sit in water, but still they dry out pretty fast so watering is a 'check at least twice a day' and water almost every day sort of thing. Watching them grow is pretty gratifying though, and I love the earthy smell of the seed starting mix and growing plants. It's a good way to help get you through the winter :-)
mnwsgal
16 years ago
As I look around my cluttered office/seed room I appreciate your new clear space. What fun you will have getting all your seedlings growing.

Before wintersowing I started everything inside. Now I am down to just a few, peppers/tomatoes/some salvias. Lights are left on for 14-16 hours/day. Somewhere I read that plants need some darkness to grow. Anyway, 14 hours works well.

Bobbie
ladylotus
16 years ago
Jel,

Every year I say I am not going to start any seeds indoor this year and every year come February I get that gardening itch and I start various seeds. I hear you when you explain the amount of work trying to keep them moist, not too wet as to let them rot or damp off.

This year I am going to start my seeds for the first time in my greenhouse. I can't wait. Hopefully, it will be completed by then.

By the way, I don't think it would be a big expense for your lights. I think it is such a relief to be able to play in the soil during mid winter that the expense would be worth it. ;)

Tj
sandysgardens
16 years ago
Joyce -
Nice setup. I have had my grow area setup for a few years now in the basement storage room and love it. The lights go on and off automatically and are on for about 16 hours. The small desk/table top fan circulates air pretty much most of the time. I sometimes turn it off when I'm working in the grow area. The light fixtures are 4 ft / two lamp shop lights (14 fixtures). One lamp is cool white the other warm in each fixture.

It's so nice to be able to garden at some capacity year round!

Sandy

Got my seedling/sewing/craft/store room partway set up

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jel48
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Got my seedling/sewing/craft/store room partway set up

Comments (6)

jel48Original Author

ladylotus

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jel48Original Author

mnwsgal

ladylotus

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jel48
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jel48
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