Hi everyone,

I'm very much a beginner when it comes to gardening, however, I would
now like to learn. I live in a tower block so I have a box in which to
grow plants outside my door which is under 24 hour fluorescent light
(almost no natural light). I would like to know if there are any easy
and hardy herbs which may grow under these conditions? I will be using
ordinary planting compost, could anyone offer any tips or advice on
how to make this herb box a success?

Many thanks,
Michelle

On 11 May 2003 17:01:42 -0700,
(Michelle) wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm very much a beginner when it comes to gardening, however, I would
now like to learn. I live in a tower block so I have a box in which to
grow plants outside my door which is under 24 hour fluorescent light
(almost no natural light). I would like to know if there are any easy
and hardy herbs which may grow under these conditions? I will be using
ordinary planting compost, could anyone offer any tips or advice on
how to make this herb box a success?


I don't think it will work. If you mean 'fluorescent
lights' in the ceiling - as you'd typically find in an
apartment building (tower block) hallway - it probably won't
work.

You'd do better to bring the box inside your apartment, and
get fluorescent lights (suspended on chains) that are
adjustable, and can be lowered to just a couple of inches
above the plants. We put up shelves in the living room, and
our fluorescent lights (for seed starting) are suspended
from the shelves.

As to herbs growing indoors, I've grown rosemary indoors -
my rosemary plant is four years old now, it goes outside in
summer and comes into the house in winter. I know there are
many other herbs that can be grown indoors, but I haven't
personally done it so I'll let someone else answer that
part.

Pat

(Michelle) wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm very much a beginner when it comes to gardening, however, I would
now like to learn. I live in a tower block so I have a box in which to
grow plants outside my door which is under 24 hour fluorescent light
(almost no natural light). I would like to know if there are any easy
and hardy herbs which may grow under these conditions? I will be using
ordinary planting compost, could anyone offer any tips or advice on
how to make this herb box a success?

Like the previous poster suggested a setup inside is better. The
intensity (closeness) of the flourescent is very important. Most cite
that the lights should be 3-6" away from the plants, max!

I'm a beginner as well. I used a sunny windowsill to grow parsley,
chives, oregano and thyme. I've had them over three months now and all
are doing well. I've recently gotten a grow-light setup since I think
the window sill didn't give them enough light in the early weeks.

One tip that worked really well for me--soak the seeds for 12 hours
before planting. I just planted about 120 seeds in the garden and
instead of the usually 7-21 days to germinate, I had a lot of sprouts
in just 4 days.

Makes sure you use a soil mix that is light or made for container
growing. Topsoil and other mixes for outside are heavier and not as
suitable for containers.
DiGiTAL_ViNYL (no email)

(Michelle) wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm very much a beginner when it comes to gardening, however, I would
now like to learn. I live in a tower block so I have a box in which to
grow plants outside my door which is under 24 hour fluorescent light
(almost no natural light). I would like to know if there are any easy
and hardy herbs which may grow under these conditions? I will be using
ordinary planting compost, could anyone offer any tips or advice on
how to make this herb box a success?

Many thanks,
Michelle

I can see at least two problems he
I presume these fluorescent lights will be quite a distance away from
the plants. Some foliage plants may do OK with fluorescent lights as
far away as 30 inches but, most plants require the light within 4 to 6
inches.
Second, and possibly more important, you say these lights are on
continuously. All plants require a resting period of at least 5 or 6
hours with no light out of each 24 hour period.

Ross

On 11 May 2003 17:01:42 -0700, (Michelle)
wrote:
I'm very much a beginner when it comes to gardening, however, I would
now like to learn. I live in a tower block so I have a box in which to
grow plants outside my door which is under 24 hour fluorescent light
(almost no natural light). I would like to know if there are any easy
and hardy herbs which may grow under these conditions? I will be using
ordinary planting compost, could anyone offer any tips or advice on
how to make this herb box a success?

Same answer as to your query in rec.gardens. Not enough light. Waaay
not enough light.

Curious: what are your fellow block-dwellers growing in their hall
boxes?