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One Hundred Dollars a Month

I am your typical housewife living in high maintenance suburbia. I have a handsome husband, 2 kids and a flock of pet chickens. I try and feed my family with $100 a month. With the help of coupons, gardening and bartering I am able to squeeze the most out of our grocery budget and still manage to have a little fun along the way.

Giveaway: Hydrofarm JumpStart T5 Grow Light System

The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure
By on ·

grow-lights1I know that when the weather turns cold and the ground starts to freeze, many people stop thinking about their gardens. I’m just the opposite. I go into full on planning mode, because I know I have the ability to start seeds indoors even when it’s freezing outside, using my very favorite grow light: the Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 Grow Light System.

grow lights seedlings

Well Christmas has come early for one lucky reader because I’ve teamed up with the cool peeps at Hydrofarm.com to give one away. That’s right! You have a chance to win your very own Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 Grow Light System. In case you’ve never heard of the T5 System, here’s a rundown of the coolest features:

  • Light system for starting seeds, propagating cuttings, and growing indoor flowers and houseplants
  • Feather-touch height-adjustment mechanism raises or lowers fixture easily; energy efficient
  • Premium-quality ETL-listed fluorescent fixture with wide reflector provides maximum coverage
  • T5 high output grow light fixture and bulb. 6′ grounded cord with on/off switch
  • System measures approximately 50 by 18 by 31 inches and comes with a full 1-year warranty

grow-lights

The Jump Start T5 System is great starter system for someone just starting to explore the world of indoor gardening and raising their own plants from seed, or for a seasoned vet. I’ve tried many grow lights and but I always go back to my T5! It’s the only grow light I use to start all my seeds indoors. And now it can be yours!

indoor grow light set up

WHAT YOU WIN:

A Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System

HOW YOU WIN IT:

Life’s pretty complicated sometimes, so I like to keep things simple around here. You have FIVE ways to enter: 1 required and 4 bonus entries. That means you can leave a total of FIVE comments below for FIVE awesome chances to win.

1. *REQUIRED ENTRY* If you won the Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 System, what would be the first thing you would start to grow? Leave a comment below letting us know your answer.

2. *BONUS ENTRY*  Do you like/friend/follow me yet? Pick one or all and like me/follow me/subscribe to me via one of these forms of social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest,  YouTube and/or Google+! Leave a comment below with the name of the site you followed, ie. “liked you on Facebook and Instagram.” Only 1 comment/entry regardless of if you follow me on all 6 sites. Which you totally should anyway.

3. *BONUS ENTRY*  Start spreading the news. Share this giveaway with your peeps via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and/or Google+! If you don’t do the social media thing, just send out an old fashioned email about this awesome giveaway. Leave a comment below letting me know how you shared it.

4. *BONUS ENTRY*  Head on over to my Facebook page and leave a comment on one of the posts or pictures there. Come back here and leave a comment below letting me know which post or picture you commented on.

5. *BONUS ENTRY*  Subscribe to my daily emailed newsletter. It’s an easy peasy way to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Plus, I’m way too busy gardening to spam you, so your email address is safe with me. Leave a comment below letting me know you subscribed.

THE FINE PRINT:

5 entries per person/ip address. If you cheat, you will totally be disqualified.

*** This prize can only ship within the continental U.S.

This giveaway ends Sunday December 21st, 2014 and the winners will be announced in the Monday December 22nd, 2014 edition of Mornings with Mavis. You will be notified via email and have 48 hours to claim your prize. Prize will be forfeited within 48 hours.

Good Luck! I hope you win.

Peace Out Girl Scouts!

♥ Mavis

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

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Comments

  1. Tomatoes! I live in north-east Florida so we can essentially grow year-round. I’d love to get a jump start on tomato and pepper plants as I’m canning and gifting salsa and other homegrown tomato recipes.

  6. I would start peppers and tomatoes. I have started both the past two years with lights my DH and I hooked up but they don’t turn out as well as I would like.

  7. I’ve been a follower of you on Facebook and Pinterest for a while now. Guess I need to add you to my Twitter feed as well.

  8. Broccoli! There’s no comparison to home grown broccoli versus store bought. A jump start on the cool season crop would be fabulous.

  14. I would start some flowers — I became obsessed with flower gardening last year and my hobby will be much more affordable if started from seed.

  16. I already subscribe to the daily emails. Does that count! And who wouldn’t, you have such great information!

  18. I would start my artichoke seeds from Botanical Interests! Thanks for the heads up about this contest Robin!

  20. Tomatoes!!! I’m planning on expanding my garden and growing a lot more this year and will have more seeds to start indoors than usual.

    • I would start with mini greens and leaf lettuces because I am craving them and getting them from stores in winter in Minnesota, even from across the street, has resulted in frost nipped greens that rot really fast. Since I am an old person living alone, I can never eat a package before it goes bad. This would be a solution. Daily greens with all the vitamins. Yumm!

  26. I’m sure it would be tomatoes! and peppers! I think those are started along the same time as tomatoes. My husband is in charge of starting all the seeds. I am sure he would love it if I won!

  27. First, I would give my great prize to my daughter who is an organic farmer. I suspect tomatoes would be her priority! What a great giveaway! 🙂

  31. What wouldn’t I start first? I would probably start tomatoes first. My husband refused to eat fresh tomatoes until we grew them as he didn’t like the taste. Now he call cherry tomatoes natures candy

  34. Onion seed, herbs, and Cole crops seeds

    I follow on twitter and FB

    I’m subscribed for email

  35. I would start coneflower. It’s my favorite flower and I can’t get enough of all of the varieties!

  36. I want to start tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, eggplant and cucumber seedlings. I just leased a garden plot from the county in September so did not get much of a winter crop started (planted on Labor Day and then 2 weeks of no rain, so poor germination.) The plot rental is expensive so I really want a boatload of veggies this summer.

  38. Basil, Basil,Basil,Basil,Basil,Basil,Basil,Basil,.. I have never managed to grow basil from seed here in the Northwest and my kids eat the poor basil plants I buy to little ground nubs in there quiet desperation for fresh basil.

  44. Basil for me, chives for our cat. Jewel eats them before I get a chance to use any of them if I grow them in the window. I do follow you on Pinterest and Facebook and get your daily newsletter. You have really given me the gardening bug!

  45. Lettuce!
    I love to have home grown salads for lunch and it’s getting just a bit cold here in the winter to be able to maintain lettuce in the garden.

  58. The first thing to go in would be peppers! Then some herbs to keep things fresh despite the snow outside

  64. Herbs would be first, but closely followed by tomatoes, beans, and greens! Followed on pinterest 🙂

  67. If I win, it will be hard to resist planting every seed packet I have, since I already have cabin fever this winter! But, I would probably start with one of the heirloom tomato varieties.

  68. I would start a flat of onions!!! That’s the first thing I usually get going at the end of January!

  74. Tomatoes! And I know this is crazy, but Kale!!! Some pretty flowers to get a jump start…maybe pansies? We have such a short growing season, this would totally be awesome!

  77. I would start some lettuce. When I plant them as seeds they always get eaten when they are little, so a jump start would be great.

  82. Tomatoes!! Like you on Facebook, Pinterest, and follow on YouTube. I also subscribe to your newsletter. Love to follow you!

  101. Lettuce for now! and then tomatoes. I follow you on Facebook, subscribe to the email, left a comment and shared on Facebook.
    Thanks for being awesome.

  110. Hi Mavis! I didn’t know you had a Facebook page. I just now “liked” you (and I love your blog!). The first thing I would grow is some seeds I’m going to be harvesting from a yellow crookneck squash. The plant grew three Siamese Twin squashes and I am going to see if I can duplicate that because the squashes look very odd and amazing!

  114. I would start anything my lil heart desires..then my garden would have a head start..also may for lettuce indoors while it’s over 100 outside.

  116. I’d love to try my hand at starting Romanesco broccoli – I’ve never found those plants at the garden centers around here, and they look amazing.

  117. I have followed you on Facebook and pinterest for quite a long while..didn’t know you had a newsletter!

  119. I would grow BASIL!! I discovered Basil Pesto Pizza this summer…and I’m in love. YAY!

  124. Commented on: Oct 19th Got carrots? Here are 10 Totally Awesome Carrot Recipes, so I have recipes for all the carrots I’m gonna grow!

  126. I would start my peas, lettuce and spinach then transplant outside on Washington b’day. Thanks!!

  127. I would start some rosemary and basil and carrots. The lady down the road makes fresh chevre so I would be in Heaven to have all of my favorites in the dead of winter! I liked you on Google +. Thanks Miss Mavis!

  129. I get your newsletter, follow you on facebook and I’d grow tomatoes, peppers and lavender.

  130. I would totally use this to jump start my tomatoes for the spring. We’ve been doing seedlings inside in a south facing window but we’re in the North East and although the plants do “okay” it’s clear that they need a little bit more to really hit their stride. 🙂

  132. Basil! And tomatoes…hmmm. Squash for the blossoms (love ’em sautéed in olive oil). Too hard to decide on only one plant.

  142. Awesome giveaway, Mavis!! I would immediately start lettuce and spinach, also more beets, carrots, oh, the list goes on… 🙂

  145. I follow you on Facebook and am a “Top Commenter”. 🙂 I love it when you answer!! We need to have a date for tea.

  147. I only ‘do’ Facebook, but I’ve not just liked, but loved, your site for a while now, lol..

  150. I commented on this post as well as about giving gifts from Thrift Stores. It’s a definite YES for me! LOVE thrift shopping, such treasures to be found. “You’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs…” 😉

  154. I would start with Impatience as they take sooo long to grow and this light would give them a head start1

  155. I want to start my own onion plants from seed. I buy plants every year cause they get started but would love to try some different varieties as well as say I grew them from scratch 🙂

  156. Oh my, one of these grow-light systems is just what I’ve been needing. My husband built me four new garden boxes last year, and after spending a bundle on seeds and starts, I decided I needed to save money by starting my own plants. So the first thing I would start are some seeds for peas. But I would also start marigolds for companion planting.

  163. I just shared on Facebook. Would LOVE to win this and start growing my seeds indoors! Whoot!! (y) (y)

  166. The first thing I would start growing would be Brussels sprouts and artichoke plants. I’ve realized after growing each for several years that I need to start them earlier to get them bigger before planting up here. I’m in the middle of a Nor’easter but am itching for gardening season someting fierce!

    KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile

  171. Wow! I’d start tomatoes for SURE!, then lettuce, then corn, then……..the possibilities are endless!! Thanks for the giveaway!

  176. I would love to grow some fresh herbs as well as get a start on spring flowers for the flower boxes.

  183. I would start gourmet mix lettuce, basil, rosemary, garlic chives, and a few other herbs to keep in the house over the winter. Come February, I’d use it to start my tomato & pepper plants for the garden. I’ll be subscribing to your daily newsletter momentarily.

  188. I would grow the plants which take the longest time parsnips and celery in with the salad bowl mix of lettuce blends and those wonderful Kale and Swiss chard. New Zeland spinach also has to be present too. Ask a garden to pick a single vegetable oh the agony to pick just one. I just get your email

  189. Tomatoes. I’m tired of buying tomato starts and they turn out differently than what was labeled.

  190. Oh where to start…herbs for the winter most likely!

    Also, I like you on FB, Pinterest, and Twitter.

  196. I would probably start with tomatoes and peppers. Then move on to squash and whatever else I could think of that needs a head start here in Michigan.

  199. Tomatoes! HH now uses an old ironing board and hangs a light in the furnace room! This sounds great!

  204. Basil. I swoon over the smell and would love to begin my Basil hoarding sooner in the spring!
    I follow you on Pinterest, subscribe to the newsletter and am at risk of losing my job for logging onto your site at work. (Ha!)

  205. Oooo I would start some basil and parsley, just to get me through the winter. Then come spring (or slightly less wintery winter) all bets are off, cause it’s all getting started early 🙂

  213. Onions and greens. I live in middle Tennessee and am still harvesting salad greens that are protected in various ways.

  223. I would start growing basil and cilantro! I love having fresh herbs around!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  231. It get your e-mail post everyday around 4:00 every afternoon. I have followed for so long I feel like we’re family.

  240. I would start A package of tomato seeds. Last year, A package of
    BI seeds yielded 42 plants!! Everyone got to share in the bounty
    of plants and tomatoes. If I feel brave, I could start two packages
    of tomatoe seeds!!

  247. I would love to eat some fresh spinach started under these lights! Thanks for the chance to win!

  248. Mavis, I would love, love, love the Hydrofarm system. I have actually been looking at these but decided I could not afford one at this time. The seeds I would like to start early are bell peppers, hot peppers and cucumbers. I really need the longer growing season provided by this. I usually end up buying small plants at the neighborhood nurseries, but then I can’t get the (heirloom) varieties that I really want.

    If I don’t win, that’s okay. I love your blog anyway. 🙂

    L.

  249. I follow you on Facebook where I am Margot Core.
    I follow you on Twitter where I am @AnnaZed
    I follow you on instagram where I am @margotcore
    I follow you on Pinterest where I am Margot Core.
    I subscribe to your YouTube Channel as AnnaZed10
    I follow you on Google+ (as Marguerite Core)

    (yes, I am showing off!)

  250. I would most definitely start mt summer squash, I am learning how to sow seed the natural way from a vegetable or fruit I grew already and saving the seeds until the next year. I have grown Butternut squash, cantaloup, Honey Dew, and watermelon. Last season was my first year for my garden and I love my new Hobby. Sacred Heart came in after I signed up for there program for one year to attend classes and learn about gardening and to grow organically and to be a better gardener then I already was, but to be able to eat what you grow is a challenge and fun experience. So SH came to my home and supplied 3 garden beds all with rich soil a drip system and plants to harvest in the beds. I then panted some of the seeds I mentioned and got an abundance of butternut squash, honey dew, cantaloup, and one watermelon. I am eager to start more from seed of what I grew and having this exciting remarkable light would be another great challenge to explore and learn with my seedlings. Thank You! I have been following your sight for 2 years maybe 3 now and I love your web site, I also enjoy the Amazon free Kindle books, the gardening books help a lot. I also started Pinrest from Mavis and enjoy following peoples interest and those who follow me. I have shared things on FB from this web site in the past that I know people would enjoy reviewing.

  254. I would definitely start with tomatoes and basil. I already follow you on Instagram where I saw about this contest!!!

  258. I would start some herb seeds. I also live in the Northwest, but I am inland, so our winters ae much colder. We don’t even think about starting tomatoes and peppers till the end of February, beginning of March. We can’t plant outside till after Memorial Day, and even then it can be kind of iffy.

  263. I would jumpstart some loofah, brussel sprouts and greens (not sure which ones just yet). Thanks so much for all you do!

  264. I get your newsletter and like you on FB I would start lipstick peppers, basil and new kale starts.

  265. Tomatoes! Oh so wonderful tomatoey goodness! We do pink brandywine and black cherry and a whole mess of colors in between. I would love to figure out how to start onion sets so I don’t have to by those anymore.

  267. I would start by growing lettuce or onions in the early Spring! I live in Minnesota ( the frozen north) i always want to get growing, but I don’t have south facing windows and I’ve had little success. The T5 would be a cool way to keep my kids excited about the garden too.

  269. I recently joined your email newsletter. I found your blog via a pin from Pinterest. I set up my new vegetable garden last year and I was able to have a small harvest of tomatoes, peppers, kale, green onions, green beans, asparagus, black raspberries, spinach, cukes, and a few squash and herbs. What an impact it made on our grocery bills – for the summer. The T5 lights might help me get a jump start on some early spring vegetables. I hope to expand the garden and go a ahead and get some livestock. Oh, what an adventure!

  279. I follow your emails. Love your site by the way. I would give it to my daughter so she could start tomatoes.

  280. I would get tomatoes going– I’ve always wanted to grow from seed but haven’t had the way to do it yet.

  283. Spagetti squash and tomatoes! I would also experiment with rosemary and lavender cuttings. Ok also all the perennial herbs I had to leave behind in the last move. How could I forget the peppers! Just the thought of it warms me to my toes.

  287. The first thing I would start under my new lights would be herbs…basil, parsley, some chives, things to keep me going until it’s time to start outdoor things.

  298. I would start my herbs, garden for myself and other family that cannot grow things due to short seasons. During the winter for my Christmas cactus’s, epiphyllums, and african violets, and the fresh herbs yummy. I already follow you on Pinterest and posted the giveaway on Facebook. I also follow you on facebook, but do not have twitter or any others. Thanks for a great blog!

  300. I would actually use it to start some salad greens indoors to munch all winter… the options in the grocery stores are looking sad and expensive!

  304. I’d start with lettuce but would use it for so many seeds. We don’t have windows on the south side of our duplex so starting seeds without lights has been near impossible!

  312. I already follow you on Facebook, but just added Pintrest and Youtube. I didn’t know you had a Youtube, account, that is awesome. I shared the contest on my timeline and commented on the Oatmeal Pie photo, and subscribed to your newsletter!

  318. I would start cutting from all the flowers I brought inside this winter and start new plants.

  319. I would jump start zucchini for later transplant into a cold frame, ’cause I want to try to grow a monster one for the Puyallup Fair this year!

  321. it has always been my dream to own one of these! i live at the 47th parallel; indoor seed starting is a necessity. i have plans to convert the bedroom into a seed starting room. i do have some alpine strawberry seeds in the fridge that i have been hankering to get started.

  322. I would love to get a jump on my herbs. It would be so great to win this. I follow you on Instagram, Facebook and email. I have commented on a Facebook post as well.

  323. i follow you on facebook. i have accounts on the others, but i don’t know how to use them…lol. my daughter need to give me a tutorial.

  325. and already a faithful subscriber to your lovely daily newsletter….love the free kindle books!

  326. My first thought was tomatoes, but I’d also do eggplant, cantaloupe, and some of the cooler season plants as we seem to get the 3 weeks of spring followed by heat of the desert where everything curls up and dies. It is hard to know what to do when as here it can snow well into May and then start up again with an early frost in September. I’d like to start the cooler season as well as the fall season so that when they are transplanted, they are halfway through their growth, maybe that way I’ll have a chance.

  327. Hi Mavis –
    If I were lucky enough to win the grow lights, the first thing I would plant would be lettuce – store bought lettuce just doesn’t taste as good as the home grown stuff. 🙂
    Thanks so much for creating such an interesting blog! I totally look forward to reading it each day.

    Nancy

  329. I’d probably start lettuce and tomatoes. I do them now under a window and they get spindly. But for something different, I might try sweet potatoes. I’ve always wanted to grow them but we don’t get quite a long enough season here to do them totally outside. This could give me the jump start I need!

  332. This would be such a great tool to give my garden a jump start on things like celeriac, leeks, and of course TOMATOES.

  334. I would start lettuce & tomatoes. I would also start some squash – all kinds – it is my favorite!!!
    I get your emails and follow you on facebook, twitter, instagram and pinterest.

  335. I would definately grow herbs, in fact I was given 3 lavender and 1 rosemary plant by a friend’s mother and I would love to help them grow so I can do some infused oils with them!

  339. I subscribe to your newsletter, I love finding a new one in my “in” box and love seeing what books and deals you have posted on there from Amazon and other places, please keep that up!!

  346. Tomatoes! Last summer I bought a few plants at a farmer’s market, but they didn’t do very well. They were so sickly looking the yard maintenance people accidentally mowed them down, probably thinking they were weeds. I have plans for next year!

  347. Holy Guacamole! What an awesome giveaway. I would start my lettuces right now for fresh eating. Thanks, Mavis, you da bomb.

  348. Tomatoes, and some herbs fro the long cold winter ahead. Thank you for the chance to win such a nice light system!

  354. The first thing I would start; lettuce and spinach so that I don’t have to buy it at the store in the winter. I would also start some lavendar and rosemary cuttings.

  362. If I win, I’ll start by planting whatever seeds I have left from the fall. Looks like radish, carrot, kale, okra, spinach, tomato, and dill.

  368. Ok, I’ve done everything except the #5 bonus entry. I think I’m already signed up, but I never check e-mail. And I love your pins on Pinterest!
    (whispers) *I hope I win*

  369. My husband was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, so I am trying to cook most things from scratch. It would be amazing to have fresh herbs and vegetables on hand.

  370. I would start with some lettuce seeds. I just ran out of my second crop from my garden and am REALLY missing eating my own lettuce. Thanks so much!

  372. The first thing I would grow would be leaf lettuce. The lettuce I’ve been buying in the store is bitter for some reason. I can’t eat it and I’ve been missing lettuce terribly.

  378. I would start my herbs and broccoli. Love to see those sprouts poke through. I follow you on Pinterest.

  381. I commented on your post starting with – Pop on over to the blog to enter to win a Hydrofarm JumpStart T5 Grow Light System.

  387. Hiya Mavis. Wow would it be great to have one of these! I would start peppers and tomatoes and flowers too! Thank you for all you do!

  388. The first thing I’d start would be my cool weather crops, lettuce, parsley, cilantro, dill, celery, spinach and Swiss chard. Later I’ll be starting marigold, bush beans, peppers, and tomatoes.

  391. I follow you on FB and commented on the “Pop on over to the blog to enter to win a Hydrofarm JumpStart T5 Grow Light System” post.

  396. I would start eggplants and cauliflower. I’ve had good luck winter-sowing tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and such but haven’t been successful with those two veggies.

  398. I would start tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and herbs. I have had a terrible time gardening, but I keep trying

  400. I would start tomatoes and peppers inside, instead of outside as usual. Your blog is inspiring. Thanks!

  402. Tumeric, I’ve been trying for almost a year with no luck. I’m thinking it might be the light cycle. I know you can buy the powder or the root from the store, but it is the leaf that I want.

  405. I want to propagate some of the geraniums that I enjoyed in my garden during the summer. They are in my sewing room right now resting until Spring.

  408. If I won, I’d plant leek seeds for sure, then artichokes, and eggplants. I’d especially like to grow seeds for fall planting indoors – that would be so much easier than trying to find the perfect spot out doors where it isn’t too hot, but not too shady, etc.

  410. Peppers, tomatoes, eggplants – I would get a head start on all the heat loving veggies because I am still learning how to grow a good garden in Central Oregon. (I am originally from CA).

  411. I like you on Facebook and shared, am following you on Pinterest, tweeted you on Twitter, subscribed on Google and YouTube and commented on the video of Lucy the Puggle Dog.

  417. We live in upstate New York…I would start tomatoes – what a great gift – especially for those of us that have such a “short” growing season.

  418. I would start my tomatoes and peppers, and also my four o clocks and nasturtiums. I’d love to own it!

  426. Lettuce. I live in PA and our growing season is pretty much over. I subscribe to your daily email newsletter.

  427. If I won, I would set the Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 Grow Light System up in my 2nd grade classroom. We’d start out with spinach. What kiddo doesn’t love spinach that they’ve grown?! 🙂

  428. Basil ! If I won I would plant basil plants I have discovered a love of bruschetta with basil pesto!

  429. I would jump start my tomatoes,beets,broccoli and herb plants!
    I follow you on e-mail,twitter and Facebook.

  431. If I actually won this darn thing it would give me an early start on some hot peppers and that would make me happy.

  438. Chillies!!!
    I never have enough to keep up with the demand for Chilli Jam and Sweet Chilli Sauce!
    PS… thank-you tons for not limiting your entrants to just the USA!! (Tasmania has a shorter growing season as well, so this would be worth looking into!)
    🙂

    • PS I already “Like” your facebook page and I scrolled back on it to comment on the Christmas tree post.
      I pasted this page onto my facebook wall explaining your blog (and the contest)
      I am already subscribed to your newsletter which I enjoy!
      Thanx

  439. I know it’s not unique, but I would totally grow some tomatoes! You just can’t beat eating a fresh tomato that you grew in your own backyard. 🙂

  453. I would plant some eggplants and peppers. They never grow well during our really short summers. Thanks Mavis!

  460. I would love to get my peppers and tomatoes started earlier this year. I live in Michigan, and it is a shorter growing season than most places.

  464. Oh, herbs, lettuce, uh, well, to be honest, probably a little of everything. It’s December and it’s cold and I miss my garden.

  465. Cactus.
    And tomatoes. It’s impossible to get a good tasting tomato from a store (at least in the US).
    And some herbs.

  468. Changing to lavender (“what to grow first”).
    Just read/Liked your article about it (“10 ways…”).
    I am in a dry climate so will be perfect.
    I will probably use it in sachets or pillows, and microwave heating pads.

  470. If I won the grow lights I would start my dwarf plants: beans, tomatoes, okra, eggplant and cucumbers for my balcony garden!

  471. Shared this fantastic giveaway on Pinterest <3 Thanks!
    ~Fantastic giveaway ~One Hundred Dollars A Month. Start those warm season crops indoors this year!~

  477. We are making oodles of homemade jam for gifts this year… this recipe for Low Sugar Triple Berry Jam is easy, and delicious!

  478. Purple Basil from Botanical Interests (the seed company you got me hooked on!) I haven’t planted them yet and am really craving pesto right now. 🙂

  485. Lettuce. Tomatoes radishes basically anything to help with the grocery bill. We are a blended family with 10 boys 8 which live with us full time. So we grow when and what we can
    Thanks for the giveaways

  487. If I won the first thing I would start would be herbs and Brandywine and sun gold tomatoes.

  496. First thing I would start would be artichokes. We have such a short growing season, that is is the only way we could actually harvest some before winter.

  497. I already like and follow you on facebook (cuz your awesome), I shared this offer with my friends on facebook and shared and commented on your post about making homemade Jam with berries from Costco and I already subscibe to your newsletter. You blog about many things I am interested in, so I’m glad you have taken the time to do this blog and great giveaway offers! Thanks!

  498. Tomatoes, always have to start them early, so they have a good start before going in the ground.

  502. I emailed my mother about the giveaway. She started some geraniums indoors last year but didn’t have a good light setup. The seedlings got too leggy and died.

  503. I commented that I want to try some of the 25 Christmas cookie recipes – which I had time to bake all of them!

  505. Lettuce! Tonight I stopped by my local awesome yet wildly over priced on some items Central Market. I had to pay $6 for 11 oz of organic fresh salad! WOWZA! So yes, I would grow as many kinds of lettuce and fresh greens as I could find room for!

  508. I commented on the “Do you think Americans go overboard on Christmas?”. You bring up a topic we could all talk about for years to come, it interesting to see others opinions.

  509. I would start my goji berry bushes. It takes approx. 2yrs before the bush produces a good yield of berries. Starting them indoors would give me a jump on the growing cycle.

  516. If I were to win this AWESOME rig, the first things I would jump start would be turnips, spinach, tomatoes and some thousand headed Kale (it’s a GINORMOUS heirloom variety Kale that turns into a 5 foot tree resembling a palm tree. Not to mention, it’s delicious in shakes.

  520. I have a difficult time starting peppers of all types. Thus, that is where I would start!

  521. Tomatoes, peppers. Anything I could possibly start I would. Michigan’s weather has been so crazy, I need all the help I can get!!

  526. Our short growing season in MN lends itself to start some things inside. For me, it’s tomato, peppers and tomatillos for salsa.

  527. Have always wanted a grow light system, so I did all five requirements — assuming that already following your blog counts! Thanks and Merry Christmas!

  529. I would use this to get a jump start on my veggies and flowers for my huge raised bed garden. Every year I’m late getting starts out because they start so slow in the windows.

  530. the very fist thing I would plant is FLOWER seeds! the brighter the better! i miss flowers this winter!

  531. Tomatoes… but really as many of vegetables I could fit in it. I would love to grow all my own produce.

  534. I would start cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy and other cool weather plants for early spring planting.

  543. I would get some cilantro and basil going and gets some greens up too! If I don’t win it, I still want my hubby to get it for me for xmas!

  549. I would start my tomatoes and peppers. Living in Colorado with a shortened growing season, I would love to have mature, homegrown plants to start outdoors instead of having to buy them!

  552. Heirloom tomatoes in many colors, peppers to charm the eye and warm the soul. Herbs to add life and flavor. All these as just a beginning.

  553. I will use this to start the seeds I saved last year! Tomatoes will be a priority. Also to make the transitions
    between the seasons. Spring to Summer isn’t too bad for me to pull off. Summer to Fall is a major FAIL
    for me as I hate to give up on the tomatoes and squash until the bitter end which messes up my fall crops
    getting started on time. Signs that I need a bigger garden. Oh, to dream about that!

  557. Well, I don’t know if it would be the first thing I would start, but I know it’s the one thing I can say without a doubt I will start…Tomatoes! I just can’t go a summer without garden fresh tomatoes.

  558. I follow you on Facebook! I’m so behind the times and don’t have accounts at any of the other social media sites or I would follow you there too!

  560. I think the first thing I would grow is peppers–I bought a great seedling two years ago (a mildly hot banana pepper lookalike) and I missed it last year. Thank you for the light recommendation and the contest!

  567. I would love to start herbs for winter cooking; essentials like oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil and parsley and then in February, start vegetables like tomatoes and peppers for spring planting. In Ohio I love to start planting early but have to wait on the garden centers to stock. This would get me growing in March to April with a little bit of luck.

  570. I pinned and commented on your 100 Freezer Meals in 5 Hours. Sure would love to have that light to help contribute to the recipes (fresh herbs are very helpful!!!). Hope you keep me in mind for the light!

  571. I would totally love to get a jump start on sprouting my own spring veggies. I’ve had very poor luck with each attempt so far, mostly because I don’t have a spot with good lighting to get the plants going strong from the beginning. I’d love to have a grow light set up!

  589. 1. *REQUIRED ENTRY* What would be the first thing you would start to grow? Lettuce – I want that year round

  603. I would grow lettuce first, then start my tomatoes, watermelon, and squash. I love salads, but the store bought stuff wilts so fast it hardly makes it worth buying.

  604. I follow you on facebook. But now that I know you’re on pintrest, I’ll probably follow you there, too.

  605. I shared this post with my niece. She’s slightly delayed, and finds worth in starting plants from seed to share with others.

  606. I definitely would start tomatoes. We live in Michigan and this past year I only was able to get a few green tomatoes. It was so discouraging as this was our first garden. But it was chilly at night and rained so much it was far from conducive to growing tomatoes. I wold love to start them indoors this year and get a early start. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. BTW, we took our first trip to Seattle in October. Loved Pikes Place Market and we were able to pick chestnuts in OR. That was a first. I can’t believe I hauled those nuts back on the plane with me….LOL Anyway I will keep my fingers crossed I win! hahahaha

  607. I would start my tomatoes & all the herbs that I have such a hard time getting to grow past an inch! Also, I follow you on Pinterest.

  608. If I won the Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 System, the first thing I would start to grow is peppermint! I recently took a class at my local food co-op learning the benefits of peppermint, but have no way to grow things otherwise. This would be a great way to go!

  609. I’d grow some veggies year round under these (lettuce, dwarf tomatoes). We have a long cold winter, and basic veggies get expensive.

  615. I’d probably start tomatoes first! I’ve tried starting them in the house, numerous times. Not enough light! Peppers too!

  618. I emailed this to some family members who are definitely interested, but don’t do the social media thing.

  627. I also commented on the Xmas Jammies video from the Holderness family- love them! They seem like they’d be fun to hang-out with!

  630. I’m now friends on facebook, signed up for news letter, shared with my friends commented and very excited! I have lupus and try to garden inside or after dark on raised beds. I would start tomatoes and salads! I’m very interested in this even if I don’t win like I said I have Lupus and I love to garden perfect! I commented on giveaway hydrofarm jumpSrart T5 grow Light. Thanks and God Bless

  631. I’ve got some Russian Black Krim Heirloom Tomato Seeds that I would start in the Hydrofarm JumpStart T5 Grow Light System if I won it.

    I didn’t know you were on YouTube and Pinterest but I’m following you now and I’ve liked you on Facebook.

    I’ve also commented on your Facebook post about melting chocolate in a crockpot/slow cooker.

  632. I liked you on FB and shared your site on my page. I also commented and shared your video: The Inspirational Video Everyone Should Live By, which I absolutely love! If I won your Hydrofarm Grow Light System, it would be a start to a dream I have to growing plants and having my own greenhouse filled with the usual to the unusual. I want to grow plants and veggies for anyone that would benefit from the beauty and joy of nurturing them, how to grow from seed, and using their harvest to put food on the table. I would start plants that I could use to eat throughout the year. Thank you for this opportunity!

  635. I would so totally grow tomatoes and cross my fingers that the Pacific NW weather will be awesome all summer long.

  639. I would love this system so I could start many variety of veggies so when spring came I’d already have some plants ready to start harvesting earlier than the ones I;d start outside – It would be AWESOME !!!

  640. I’ve liked you on Facebook and subscribed to you on Youtube and shared a video on bartering with your neighbor. Can’t wait to see what else I find

  644. I want to plant flowers and put all my plants that I already have under the light because the lack of sunlight is kinda making them a little dead. 🙂

  653. I would start tomatoes and peppers. I live in the high desert with only about a 90 day growing season so I have to start way in advance.

  654. I made a Facebook comment on your mulled spiced. I would also get a jump start on herbs and tomatoes.

  655. I’m a second year gardener and expanding my raised beds. The first things I would start under the lights would be tomatoes, peppers, and some very early salad greens. I would also start marigolds from seeds that I harvested from my small garden last year.

  659. I got some beautiful organic seeds from a farmer friend this past summer & I’d use my new hydrofarm to get some of these started

  663. Tomatoes, definitely. I always buy started plants, but having a nice grow light setup would make me more confident about starting them from seeds.

  664. Lots of herbs and spices. Always wanted to start a natural cures and home remedies sort of garden.

  666. I’d totally start way more tomatoes than I planted this year. They are over 2$ a piece here now! That’s insane.

  673. Heirloom tomatoes for sure…already so tired of the winter tomatoes we can get here in Georgia. This amazing grow lamp would just be an awesome Christmas present to “me”! Merry Christmas to you and to your family!

Mavis Butterfield Etsy