Starting plants in a crawl space?

Hey guys,
For the past two years, I've been using our upstairs guest room to start seeds in trays for my garden, under fluorescent lights, then moving them outdoors as soon as I can.  But this year we have foster kids in there, and so I'm looking for a new location.  My wife doesn't like them in the living room (the one year I did it, we had fruit flies for 2 months!), so I'm thinking about setting up my lights and trays in my crawl space.  It's only about 3 feet high, but there's plenty of space.  Has anyone tried this?

The temperature in my house is 67 right now, and 54 outside.  The crawl space seems to be probably about 64, but that's a guess because I don't have a thermometer on me.  Tomorrow it will be much colder, so I'll check again to see what happens.  In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has experience with this.

I don't like using synthetic lights, but it's a necessary evil right now.  But I definitely don't want to add synthetic heating.

Is the crawl space insulated? Seems like it could work.
Check out "winter sowing" as an alternative way to start plants.

i have started plants quite a few times in odd places. i would say the biggest limiting factor is heat swings and the second accessibility for me at least. if i were in your shoes i would put a thermometer down there asap . check it often and compare it to the outside temp and the temps you strive for with your plants. that will give you a round about guess as to if it will work or not and if you realy want to climb down there that often. also measuring the humidity may help. there is always a solution to a temp or air flow issue like insulating a small box and putting water below the plants but some will just be to much work unless you are growing something you cant live without. good luck i hope you find a simple solution!

Important question, in my experience:  is this crawl space rodent-free?  I have lost so many seedlings, and seeds even, to critters, when planting in places that weren't frequented often...even in the house.

I tried using the crawl space for seedlings a couple years ago, and something ate them all.  So I would second the concern about rodents.  Other than that, if the temperature is good, it should work fine.

Hi

getting a new garage/shed and planning on having them setup directly under the clear sheets for the skylight.....maybe a few boards across the trusses and box it in to keep warmth in.