Sorry, another stupid question - artificial light?

[Novice Gardener]

Sorry if this is a real numpty question, but I've had problems with my basil growing spindly, probably a result of not enough light I've been advised, but I wasn't sure if artificial light was ok for seedlings??? I've popped some tomato seeds - Balconi Red - into a hanging basket but its too chilly to put outside yet and I don't have a greenhouse, so I've hung them in my utility room which has no natural light at all, but its fairly warm in there and we have the light (flurescent strip light) on all the time. Will this be sufficient, or do they need a natural light to germinate??? Thanks

[ClayGarden]

Mine did fine last year on the window sill. This year mind, theyre only just starting to germinate. Do you have window sills available?

[Novice Gardener]

Claygarden, at the moment my window sills are full of trays/pots etc, and I've already put the seeds into a hanging basket I think I jumped the gun a little. The only space I had was in my utility room. As soon as it gets a bit warmer, then I can pop it outdoors, but at the moment its a bit too chilly for that.

[ClayGarden]

I have the same problem as you tbh. I have 3 12" tomato pots, and just dont know what to do with them either. I think tomato growing is just for those with greenhouses in this country

I can harden them off through the day, but dont know whether that reduces fruit production

[areia]

good question as my window sill has been full to but i have tube lights under my units in the kitchen, i have found though they have grown spindly under that though maybe beacuse its to close to the plants too much light and heat at the same time doesnt work i've found, i've just left my basil uncovered and damp not wet and in there own time they have grown,
in regards to hardening them off during the day i have found it doesnt reduce fruit production at all, all depends if they are greenhouse variety or outdoors ones even then ive grown mine outdoors without any probs the only time ive mucked up tommies is irregular watering too dry then adding lots of water causes the fruit to split

[Flummery]

Commercially they use a different kind of light from the domestic type. (Growlights?) However, if you use them yourself you take the chace of being accused of growing banned substances!

[ClayGarden]

Commercially they use a different kind of light from the domestic type. (Growlights?) However, if you use them yourself you take the chace of being accused of growing banned substances!

Yeah, same as if you walk into the hydroponics shop too

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, you've been a bit premature with your tomatoes, but you'll learn for next year. You can't know everything straight off. We only sowed our Toms a fortnight ago, it hasn't been warm enough until now.
Can you get a small placcy greenhouse? (about £12). Site it out of wind though or it'll be worse than useless.

[ClayGarden]

That is a good suggestion about getting a little greenhouse, theres a little story about that actually. I bought one of those 2 foot high ones last autumn to get ready hardening off some stuff off for its first winter, like the mint i've mentioned here. But through all the nightmare winds/weather we've had they were totally obbliterated. So now i could either repair that, find the screws and metal frame and sheets of plastic that have spread around my garden (making it a mess by the way), or fork out for another one. I'll probably get the old one repaired, its just being bothered, because i know its not going to be easy.

[crichmond]

focus have those 4 tier ones for £13 at the moment.

[ClayGarden]

focus have those 4 tier ones for £13 at the moment.

Couldn't find a link for me could you? I've just had a look (at their crap website), and the search doesn't bring anything up under "cold frame", and the cheapest greenhouse is hundreds of quid. I do know the kind of thing you mean though.

[crichmond]

Sorry I was wrong it was £13.99
link below

"Multigrow" Multigrow 2000 4 Tier at Focus

[ClayGarden]

cheers, crichmond Still not decided what to do.