Hope Springs Eternal. Tell Me About Starting Plants Indoors.

[jyl]

Looking to get a jump on the miserable Pac NW growing season by starting the 2012 garden indoors.

Thinking some 4 foot, 2 tube fluorescent fixtures, grow light tubes, peat pots, and a timer.

Questions:
- How much light do I need?
- What sort of tubes to get? I say "grow light" without really knowing what I'm talking about.
- I assume set timer for light 18+ hours a day?

We're moving the roses to the edge of the yard, to give their prime spot over to vegetables. Wife hates roses anyway.