Hi Robert, Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow. That is why so many school children use the Marigold as their first learning experience in starting seeds for Mother's Day. These will take most whatever you throw at them and still reward you with nice flowering plants.
4-6 weeks ahead of plant out is plenty of time to get them off to a good start. Hey, you can even direct seed them in the garden. It works up here in Wisconsin so it should be easy for you down there.
No you don't have to keep these under the lights, putting them outside or in your window would be fine as long as it does not get too cool. I would not allow them to be colder than 45 degrees though. You can choose to pot them up or not. If not, just loosen their roots well before you put them in the garden so that their roots are not bound and can spread out freely.
Happy Valentines Day!
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~ Patti ~
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