I've been looking at HD ad Lowe's and reading up on different lights. there's a Philips 2 ft T12 "Natural Light" bulb that is 9,000 lumens and 5000k. Though I can't seem to find a really cheap fixture. There's a single light fixture for $13.98. Would only one of these bulbs work? I've got about 18 tomatoes and 10 peppers. How many lumens would I need for all these seedlings? Theres a Metalux fixture for $18 that holds two T8 bulbs and I could get two T8 bulbs that are 1,400 lumens and 3000k or 1,275 lumens and 6500k. There's also 4ft lights that I could actually get cheaper (fixture as low as $13 and 2 pack bulbs for less than $10 - those bulbs up to 2,900 lumens and 6500k), but I'm not sure about being able to dedicate 4 feet of horizontal space. But I know the light should be right over the seedlings so I might not have a choice?? How many bulbs do you think I need for the amount of seedlings I'm starting? Sorry about all the technical specifics on the lights. I know that the higher kevlin the better for seedlings so if I could get a better idea on the amount of lumens I'd need and how many bulbs (considering that people say that should be right over the seedlings) then I think I could know what's best to choose.

ive been searching for Chili Petin seeds just need a few to get a start. will gladly reimburse your postage or buy some seed. fireants2@hotmail.com Ken Panning 14114 Sandymeadow Cir. Leander, Tx. 78641

Keep in mind you can go to your local Library where they will have plenty of books to help get a good perspective on how to start gardening this way. I have a huge garden I start from seed every year. I learned from my German grandparents who where farms by profession. I live in illinios zone 5 and my "last frost date is similar to yours from the sound of it. My grandparents always sow they're seeds straight in the ground early June. I on the other hand follow thyre basic guidlines but take it a step further and start my seeds off in peat pellets in a humidity tray (for the first week or so before removing the lid) and grow them under a florescent grow light similar to what you have in mind. Everything mentioned can be bought at your local lowes, menards, or home depot. I usually plant mid june which is a week or two after when they do but then again mine have already been growing for about a month while they just sowed the seeds directly in the garden bed. I wouldn't worry about potting up. I just wait until they have grown for a few weeks or so and are not so fragile before planting them. I would say playing with them out of ground after this, especially if your like me and have ALLOT of seedlings is more trouble than its worth. But if you want to go that far you would up pot when the root ball occupy s the entirty of a pot and begins to wrap around the outside of the soil against the pot. Also if you are going to grow them under a florescent light fixture you are going to need a bulb meant for growing plants, A normal bulb isn't going to work. I'm trying to keep things basic so you can play along but once you get the hange of it and become more educated there's allot you can do to boost this early stage (and the whole growing process for that matter). for example I use I also use soluble seaweed powder fertilizer(something like 1-1-16) to stratify my seeds and to dilute in the watering to help them get a vigorous root system before planting but I know what im doing and would wait to tinker if you are new. I would say to just follow either of these basic guidelines and you should be fine. if your in doubt you can test the water by just trying to grow one or two seeds to see how things go to use them as a test basis for what you might like to change when you actually grow them (if that's anything).

I have some tomato seeds to trade but I've never traded on here so I don't know how it works. Any help would be much appreciated thanks