August 13th, 2008
Lighting for an indoor herb garden?
Amy asked:
My kitchen is located in the center of my home so there are no windows. There are no window sills in any other room in my house that are suitable. I live in Arizona and I have tried it outside, but the summer sun/heat just destroys herbs. I want to create a small indoor herb garden, but I don’t want to pay for some fancy AeroGarden or anything. I just want to have some parsley, basil, sage, chives and possibly mint. Can I mount a light under my cabinets, a small one? Any suggestions?
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My kitchen is located in the center of my home so there are no windows. There are no window sills in any other room in my house that are suitable. I live in Arizona and I have tried it outside, but the summer sun/heat just destroys herbs. I want to create a small indoor herb garden, but I don’t want to pay for some fancy AeroGarden or anything. I just want to have some parsley, basil, sage, chives and possibly mint. Can I mount a light under my cabinets, a small one? Any suggestions?
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Tags: Aerogarden, Basil, Cabinets, Chives, herb garden no window, Herbs, Indoor Herb Garden, Lighting, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Summer Sun, Sun Heat, Window Sills
Filed under: FAQ
2 Responses to “Lighting for an indoor herb garden?”
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Yeah, simple florescents will work but the lights have to be down close to the plants and still they get leggy. Outside is always the best. I know, it’s 115 out there but what about north side, east side under shade cloth, under a covered pation, and with a mister? You may just have to grow between October and May and forget the heat months.
I really hate to see these indoor herb garden questions, because it is virtually impossible to give herbs enough light to grow indoors. People do their best and they think they’ve failed, when the truth is it’s just not possible to succeed.
If you absolutely must try to do this, you will need a strong fluorescent light aimed right at the herbs for sixteen out of 24 hours. Maybe you could put it on a timer, as one does when starting plants indoors.