I've got two flats under the lights so far and four in the office sprouting as of right this instant (photo of the under-table sprout lights as they are right now below, barely enough to hold it for the sprout week for a flat that's being laggard; pardon the mess, I'm doing six things at once art-wise). Six flats remain but I can't stuff much more in the office without tripping over things, and there's plenty of time yet (set-out date is around April 28th, plant date May 5th-May 10th).

Good luck with your garden!

afan, have you ever tried wintersowing? I've done it for 20 years and I swear by it! I've got about 50 containers out with about another 30 to go - which isn't a lot for me, actually, Budget cutbacks this year lol.

I'm getting very excited for spring. Last week we had several days in the low 60's and everyone got spring fever. Then it plummeted and the last few days have been about 30 degrees at the warmest - just saw snow flurries today, and Sunday it was sleeting. Sigh.

But I think next week we'll finally turn the corner. I've got tons of cosmos, zinnias, sunflowers, chinese asters, and some odds and ends of other annuals that I'm looking forward to this year.

:)
Dee

I use fluorescent, so no problems there. And even LEDs don't give me problems any longer as a migraine sufferer (but I'm under treatment for chronic migraines--from 25 per month down to 2 to 3!)

So far, so good, and this is Year...11 doing this as per my spreadsheets.

Wintersowing also works beautifully, so you might give that a try. For what I can't fit in the shelving, I can sow either in late winter/early spring, often without covering, or just as frost ends for some things that won't tolerate being planted earlier and won't go in any transplanted cup, bowl, or other item (like a morning glory).

These MaryJuWanna lights are a whole different animal. It's not like you're looking at a LED bulb.

Beam, Color is very intense.. 25 ---> 3 ain't too shabby of a number

Granted some things from a variety stainpoint is probably going to be by seed ...me, I'm more a 4" pot/6 Pack nursery type of gardener. Eh, what can I say. I'm lazy and I like instant gratification.....some of the stuff is patented and it's really available as such (live plant)

I'm a teacher and some of the students at the school are having trouble finding places to get their volunteer hours in due to Covid restrictions. This is good for me as I just put two of them to work today starting annuals from seed for the school garden. It's mostly easy flowers like zinnias and marigolds, but a few trays of tomatoes and peppers, too. We have a nice greenhouse at the school but it lacks ventilation so it will be interesting to see if the students can manage to keep them alive once the temps start to rise. If they do survive, We're going to have dozens, so we may be giving them away.

Most things are incredibly easy and great for students! I started with no experience and have a great deal of fun doing it. Zinnia and marigold are a wonderful start, along with dahlia, eggplant, and dozens of other plants.

If you have any questions, let us know.

daisychain it's so great you have a school garden! I know a few years back school gardens were beginning to trend, and I hope they still are. Gardens are a great way to teach so many subjects, and I think it's so good to reconnect students with nature!

:)
Dee

Yes! I'm starting to get exited! I've got a few things started under the lights already with the bulk of stuff to be started starting end of April. I do have to get some cuttings done this weekend, and I have some dormant geraniums and B&B salvia in the crawl space that I've got to pot up. Also picked up a couple elephant ear bulbs to pot up -- some years starting from bulbs works well for me, other years it doesn't, but I've got a nice spot in a south-facing window to set them which will help keep the soil nice and warm until they sprout.