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The decision to grow your own vegetables indoors can sometimes be overwhelming. Sure, you like the idea of growing fresh tomatoes, peppers, and herbs year-round. The idea of never having to pay for fresh vegetables is encouraging, especially in these difficult economic times. But when you start to think of the problems that can be involved with indoor growing with fluorescent lights, it can leave you with quite a checklist. You not only need a ballast, but a reflector and a cooling system, and you’ll have to pay for a steep electric bill that will have a noticeable difference. Plus, there’s more electrical wiring, which can pose a considerable fire hazard if improperly done.

An LED UFO light makes the growing checklist simple. The light can be easily suspended from the ceiling and requires no wiring whatsoever. All you have to do is plug it into any household electrical socket. Being about 85 percent more efficient than traditional HPS lights, a 90 watt LED UFO light produces as much light as a 400 watt HPS light. You can light a 12-foot area and not even notice the difference in your electric bill, no more than running an air conditioner or other small appliance.

That’s a carbon footprint you won’t even notice yourself. LED lights are a better environmental option for the indoor gardener, using little energy and fewer fossil fuels. They are longer lasting, producing a high quality of light for as long as 20 years, where as HPS lights generally have to be replaced every year or so in order to have optimal performance. These lights will still be kicking strong long after the HPS lights are rusting in a landfill graveyard.

Growing vegetables inside is easy once you’ve considered your options. Plants naturally grow with light and plenty of water, which can be provided indoors with the proper lighting systems. Growing inside is becoming more popular as gardeners learn to enjoy fresh produce year-round and cut down on their food costs. Some are even selling their extra produce at farmers markets, earning a little income on the side. Just because you don’t have access to an outdoor garden, don’t let that limit your gardening possibilities. Any thumb can go green by growing inside.