The lights will far surpass the window. You'll find several discussions on the various types of lights and their use for seed starting here, some just a bit further down the page.

Good luck.

Dave

PS: you might also want to check out the many FAQs here (linked on the front page of this forum) for even more tips.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lights discussions

I have tried south facing window but it's never given very good results. Grow lights are that expensive and worth it in my opinion. Here is a post I just made on the droopy lettuce thread about the grow light set up we got for $20.

If you can make it to home depot you can buy a good fluorescent light set up for under $20.

Lithonia Lighting 2 Bulb, 40 Watt Fluorescent Shop Light Model 1233 is $9.98 - this comes with a little bit of chain but you you might want to buy extra chain and extra S hooks in case you want to install the light some where at eye level. We have ours hanging from the ceiling onto the dresser, books are good for raising the seedlings up and down.

The bulbs are sold separately but Home Depot has them for a reasonable price. We bought a 2 pack of Philips 40 watt T12 bulbs for $7 but they also have the T8 32 watt which I'm considering (lower wattage for same light output) for $6 for the 2 pack.

I've had a lot of success w/south window for shade tolerant plants (impatiens, torenias, morning glories), but it doesn't work with plants that need sun. I've been growing violas since December, and they were under a table lamp with a CFL and raised up on a pile of books. Once they got enough leaves, I move them to the window, and they've been flowering for me this past week.

Lights!

i've tried the south facing window last year with no success and i'm doing the fluorescents this year. BIG difference! go lights baby!