Quote Originally Posted by psteve
You're in Oregon. If you're a patient you can join OGF and get a discount on grow supplies and access to garden geeks who will help you.
Otherwise, You can get started using a bunch of cfl's, while you save up for an HPS. I use the 26W daylight bulbs. They give the most lux for your low budget. shoot for 50W per square foot (that's real watts, not 'same as' watts).
You can get low wattage HPS (70-250W) at home dePot, but they're not as efficient as the higher wattage ones, especially the 600W which are specifically designed for horticultural use.
I recommend using the CFL's to start, then get a 600W HPS and use it all together. (if you have the electricity to run it) Eventually you might want a 400W Metal Halide to augment your spectrum too.
I don't know what OGF is?? Marmarkus2006 has a med card and is looking into caregiver too. I am the one that works because he is now disabled and unable to do what he used to.This also gives him a project to focus on considering he is stuck at home with the kids...and there are 6 of them ranging from 14 to 7 months.So he needs something to do to keep sane.Anyhow,thanks for the input and if you think of anything else please let me know!! :thumbsup: