gardening indoors. . . . with artificial lighting?

[*RaiN*]

Can you have a "successful" indoor garden using just artificial lighting. This is the only alternative I can think of other than getting a greenhouse and theres not really enough sun to just keep the plants by the window. I've used artificial lighting for growing mushromms but does it work as well for herbs? If so how shoudl I start this garden?
Thanks n' Peace :)

[nappydread]

hey rain!
Yes... you can have a successful indoor garden!
I don't know how much space you have? or what herbs you are growing? but fluorescent tube lights are great for this purpose and the come in a range of sizes. They are low-watt, full spectrum lights and are really cheap. You'll need a timer to control the lights and for much of the leaf mass you wanna grow they should be set for 18hrs of light a day. I hope this gives you a start:)

peace

[*RaiN*]

thanks! thats the other thing, i have no idea what kind of herbs i want to grow but im starting to read about all the different ones and their uses, any ideas there?
Sorry if I'm being demanding :p

[nappydread]

...no...no...not demanding at all:D
I'd like to hear other herb suggestions too!

...b/c i only do spices like: cilantro, basil, dill, rosemary, thyme...and these are probably not what you're lookin for!
any one else?
have fun!

peace

[Pedata]

If you're going to grow parsley be patient. The seeds can take up to two months to germinate. They make leaves the first year and seeds the second.


Sage is easy to grow :) Mint is also, in fact mint will take over, lol.

Peace,
Cassandra

[toman]

Really? I grew parsley last year along with a mix of some other herbs, and it practically took over my little herb garden. All I did was throw a bunch of different herb seeds in some potting soil on top of some gravel in a smallish planter box. On topic though, I think indoor gardening would be a fairly easy hobby and a lot of fun. For a small amount you could purchase an HID grow light putting out a few hundred watts, and maybe even set up a little hydroponics system. Both of those things would greatly increase your production.