Countertop Harvest
Free 5-day course · Lesson 1 of 5 · About a 5-minute read
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Welcome to the course! Over five short lessons you'll set up a small indoor herb garden that actually keeps growing. One lesson a day, one small step.
Today's step is the one that matters most: light.
Most indoor herbs that struggle are simply not getting enough of it. Extension services suggest at least 6 hours of strong light for herbs like basil. A south- or west-facing window is your best bet. In winter, University of Maryland Extension says herbs need grow lights running 14–16 hours a day to make up for short, dim days.
Your task today takes two minutes:
- Walk around your home and find the brightest window.
- Notice how many hours of direct sun it gets. Check in the morning, at midday and in the afternoon.
- If it's under about 5–6 hours, or your kitchen is dim, plan on a small LED grow light on a timer.
Signs of too little light show up later as tall, stretched stems and small, pale leaves. Getting light right now saves a lot of frustration.
If you'd like to compare grow lights, our buying guide covers bars, strips and bulbs, plus how far to hang them: