THE FAMILY, HOME & GARDEN EDUCATION CENTER at UNH Cooperative Extension
in Manchester provides practical solutions to everyday questions for the
citizens of New Hampshire . It is staffed by professionals and intensively
trained volunteers who are available to answer your questions about gardens,
lawns and landscapes, fruits and vegetables, pest problems, household food safety and food preservation, tree planting and care, backyard livestock and more. We
offer written information, programs or referrals on family finances, nutrition,
parenting and child development, and 4-H youth development.
The center is staffed 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Wednesday evenings 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Toll free number: 1-877-EXT-GROW (1-877-398-4769)
Mailing Address: 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101
QUESTION of the Week
Q: Can I grow herbs indoors this time of year?
A: While many of us have begun dreaming of spring gardens, It's too early to start tomatoes. But one thing we can do is grow fresh herbs on a sunny windowsill or under a fluorescent light.
Select a south-facing window that isn't drafty or set up a fluorescent fixture you can position a foot or two above your plants. Use containers 6 to 12 inches deep. You can plant several different herbs in one large container or have individual containers. Use sterilized potting mix to avoid soil-borne diseases. Sow seed directly, or purchase small plants from a local garden center or supermarket (check out the indoor-plant section) and transplant them into your containers.
Herbs don't like wet feet, so water sparingly. Use a fertilizer labeled for edibles once a month. Herbs that don't grow too wide or tall include basil, chives, cilantro, mint, parsley, oregano, marjoram, and thyme. If you don't have a suitable windowsill, set the plants 18 inches under a fluorescent light fixture that’s left on at least 10 hours a day.
P.S. You can grow “microgreens” or “cut-and-come-again” mesclun salad greens using the same technique.
Got questions? UNH Cooperative Extension's Family, Home & Garden Education Center Info Line offers practical help finding answers for your lawn and garden questions. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, M-F, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., or e-mail us at fhgc@ceunh.unh.edu
(previous questions of the week)
