lighting issues

Well...im currently just growing as an experiment and for some fun. I live in STL MO so i can't start growing outside until late march due to frost. The question is: I have 2 germinated seeds in Jiffy's peat pots under two 4 foot flouresent lights in my basement. My dad said they won't grow becuase of the lights...is there some certain "kind" of flouresent lights to get.

Another question: is it possible to start a good plant in a window sil? I've asked this question before, but cannot get a straight answer. (in peat pots too)

All inputs will be highly appreciated...Thanks

regular shop lights won't do. i go for high lumen count cfls, around 10000 average per plant. as for a sil grow, never tried it.