Indoor Seed Starting: Lights, Timing, and Low-Cost Setup

Start seeds 6–8 weeks before last frost. Use 1 cool + 1 warm white fluorescent (or grow lights) on timer: 14 hrs on, 8 off. Lights 3" above seedlings. Sterile soilless mix prevents damping-off.

Step-by-Step

1. Sow shallow (2× seed diameter).
2. Cover with dome until first sprout, then remove.
3. Bottom-water only.
4. Feed half-strength fish/seaweed at 2nd true leaf.
5. Transplant to larger cells if needed.

Cheap shop lights + timer = pro results.