Need better setup to start seeds

I have a super low tech setup for starting my seeds. I was away over the weekend and didn't set up my lamp. The brussel sprouts, broccoli and kale germinated but without lights, got really leggy.  I really need to make a better setup for starting the seeds

My simple setup

Leggy looking seedlings

Not only that, I have my starter in an empty salad container and left the lid on. It probably got too humid in there and I found some white fuzzy things on them. I think this is fungus. I read a little about damping off in seedlings but I don't think what I have at the moment is hurting my plants. I might start another tray of the same thing just to be on the safe side. I also left the top off and got some peroxide to spray to kill whatever it is that is growing.

White fuzzies on my toilet paper rolls

Here is a quick picture of how I make bottoms on my paper towel seed starting pot. I usually first cut the toilet roll in half so I can make 2 starter pots per roll. In this picture I did not cut it into two because I wanted a long one.

First press the toilet paper flat, then fold again so that the crease made in the first step touch (basically making the toilet paper into a box). Make a little cut on 4 corners and fold over like a bottom of a box.

So much prepping to do!

Once again, I have been lazy about cleaning up at the end of last season. I have to pull out all the plants in the containers and amend the soil a bit. But the biggest thing I need to do is to fix my wind/sun breaking shade cloth. After 2 years, it needs a little TLC. It is a pain to do but this shade cloth is an absolute necessity on the balcony container garden.

If you look closely , you can see I have used a chopstick to keep the shade cloth tied up

I started some seeds a couple of days ago. Of course the day after I started the seeds it snows! I just can't wait for it to get warm so I can play in the soil!

Seeds started in my toilet paper roll pots

Post-it to keep track of what is what

Garden 2013! A new beginning!

Happy new year everyone! It is a bright sunny day here in Baltimore but very cold at 27F.  My gardening spirit is quickly awakening and with the sun being so bright I had to get some seeds started. I've decided for this year's container garden I'm going to try different varieties. I have enough hot peppers in the freezer so I won't be growing any...here is a picture of all the seeds I'm going to be using this year. I have too many so some of it will have to go into the community garden.

I'm also going to try to grow cumin and mustard from the kitchen.

Here is another new vegetable I am going to try to grow that I'm totally excited about: Sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke. These are supposed to be really easy to grow in containers and quite prolific. If you've never tried it before you should, they are quite delicious.

What will you be growing in your garden this year. Just can't wait for spring!! Ending with a picture of kale that I've overwintered...well, really it is just that I've been too lazy to pull out.