If your lights are as low as they will go, in other-words, if they are about 2 inches from the top of the plant, then you dont have enough light. They are stretching because they are searching for more light. This is your first grow so an investment in lights is a HUGE must (from my experience anyways). You can go to your hydro shop and look at the lights they have. When your talking to them, just tell them you are going to be growing something like tomatos or roses and that you need lights for the veg stage since they are clones of ones you have in your yard.... They will be happy to tell you the amount of light that you will need. You could probably get a light system completely setup for about $200. Keeping in mind safety, you wont have to worry about your house burning down....a HUGE plus in my book and worth spending the extra cash.