Hi
I use a 4 foot shoplight with daylight bulbs Mostly for very tiny of difficult,slow germinators . For toms I just start them in flats in the shadehouse.
gary

The only time I use lights for growing seeds is in January when I am growing tomatoes and peppers. Otherwise, I just start them outside in little containers when the weather is warm. I keep them near the front door so I can put them on the porch when we get heavy rains.

As for lights, I use 4 foot fluorescent lights in an inexpensive shop light. One bulb is "cool" and one bulb is "warm". You can buy bulbs for plants but they are much more expensive. Also, in the winter, make sure to put the plants outside to get sun when you can because fluorescent bulbs are not strong enough for full growth. Halogen bulbs are needed for that.

Christine

Now and in winter/spring I use this 2' grow light for the first 2-3 weeks to start tomato and pepper seeds because I can put the light right down on top of the plants to keep them from getting lanky. Cheapest price I see for it now though is almost $50, which I would not pay. I got mine on sale for $20.... :-(

Tom

Thank you all for the information!

I may shop around for some cheap lights, but for now will probably let Mom Nature help as much as she can and deal with the leggy babies that will probably result.

wt