First grow shopping list and what it costs to run

You can spend a lot on a first grow. These are the pieces that matter.

The essentials

1. Tent. Lightproof, with room above the plants.
2. LED grow light. Choose one with a published light map and a dimmer.
3. Exhaust fan and carbon filter. Moves heat and humidity out and handles smell.
4. One or two clip fans. They keep air moving around the plants.
5. Pots and saucers. Fabric pots work well and drain easily.
6. Medium and plant food. Match them to each other.
7. pH and EC meters, plus calibration solutions.
8. A magnifier. For checking trichomes and spotting pests.

What you can skip at first

• CO₂ systems, bloom boosters and long supplement lists.
• Extra sensors and automation, until you understand the basics.

How to work out running costs

Use this formula: watts divided by 1,000, times hours per day, times days, times your price per kWh.

For example, a 300 watt light running 12 hours a day for 30 days uses 108 kWh. At 16 cents per kWh, that’s about $17 a month for the light ($17.28 at the example rate), before other equipment or bill charges.

Add fans, heating, cooling and dehumidification if you use them; climate control can rival or exceed lighting costs. Use actual wall draw, not “equivalent watts.” Your electric bill has your actual rate.

Build electrical safety into the plan: rated timers and equipment, secure hanging hardware, outlets away from splashes, and a circuit-load check if needed. A shopping list isn’t a wiring design. Ask a qualified electrician about circuit capacity and protection.