What do you want to grow? It's too late to start tomatoes from seed (that should have been started in mid-July). I direct sow lettuce and carrots in the fall, but start broccolli and onions in containers. I don't bother with grow lights and just set the containers in a sunny spot and hope for good weather. As soon as they're up and have a true leaf or two, I transplant into the garden.

I started corn and pole bean seeds in containers a few weeks ago and it seems like they pop up more quickly that way. Cucumbers were direct sown.

I don't think light is necessary for germination, but once they pop up, they need it right away. Maybe you could start the seeds indoors and rush out to transplant into the community garden as soon as they're up?

Tradition- you are 9b and derbyka is 10a. It is the time to start tomato seeds now. I put mine in cups 2 weeks ago to be replanted in 2 more weeks. Not too late. I'll be planting bush beans in 2 weeks. I'm in 10b. Sown directly.

How much light does your window get? In the winter, I start some of my veggies on my south facing windows. Otherwise, I have an cheap shop lamp that hangs by chains from a pvc frame I made. I raise it as needed. I start squash, cukes, tomatos, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and some others I can't think of right now, inside.

Could you place starting seeds outside your door? Perhaps someone from the community garden or a neighbor would let you start seeds.Good luck