I use three flourescant lights and 2 - 4 ft. shelves. I suspend the lights under the shelves plus a single set of lights above the top shelf. This enables us to plant 4 flats per shelf = 12 flats. The lights are on a timer and are on for 8 hours per day. Lights are started about 6" above flats and raised as the plants grow. The area used is in a heated room and germination is very fast. Some plants go from flats to small pots and are transfered to outside unheated greenhouse (with plenty of drafts) in about 7 to 8 weeks. Some are left in the flats and go directly in the garden. Those in pots are hardened off and planted in garden. All end up being planted about May 15th. - 30th.
Been doing this with vegies as well as flowers with good results.
The flats have to be watered daily as they will dry out easily and croak.
Between potting stuff, seeds, soil, electricity and labor the savings are not that much, but the satisfaction overcomes the expense.
(Most Seeds are harvested from crop to crop)
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