Thankfully lights are not something that need replacing each and every month. If you look at it in a long term investment, you will see that the cost isn't that much (ecample, you buy a beautiful pot for $100, but it lasts for 20 years. You only paid $5 per year, or so little as $0.42 a month. But had you bought the $30 pot that only lasts 3 years, it was actually $10 a year, or $0.83 a month. But then you would have to buy a new pot again, and again. - assuming my math is correct). So sometimes making an investment is cheaper in the long run. I feel like we sometimes lose track of that perspective (I know I do sometimes).
Grow lights are an amazing investment in colder climates, as it allows you to start much earlier, as you do not have to wait for the outside temperatures to rise to good growing temps. This way you get a longer growing season, possibly year-round. And if you get the hang of it, it can actually pay itself off long-term. We all know how expensive groceries are at the supermarket.
@daveb has frequently showed us that, yes setting up can be a little expensive, but in the long run it pays back. Most expenses are a 1-time thing, other than small replacements and upgrades.
Personally, I splurge on buying quality soil. That has been my main thing why I thought I had a black thumb. Plants would die left and right - just because I didn't know. Then 1 day my partner convinced me to go out and buy a bag of premium potting soil.... I have never looked back. My plants are amazingly healthy, sometimes refusing to die no matter what I throw at them. I've had great successes and so much fun, now that I'm not fighting to keep a plant alive anymore.
And frankly, I'm loving learning something new every day. And I hope you will find the same joy
)
couldn't help myself when I saw the pic)
Was it almost blinding when you turned them on
