For Christmas, my wonderful brother gave me a small, indoor grow light for my beautiful summer herbs. . . . 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit dead

Unfortunately it was too late; they had already passed away after a desperate attempt to keep them alive inside during the first cold winter month.  

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my son was growing a bean seed in a paper towel at school during the winter break.  After the first day back at school, Z proudly brought his bean baby home.  We decided it was the perfect time to set up the grow light and give the bean plant some much needed love with the artificial sun.  We also "planted" the herbs that came with the grow light kit: basil, parsley and chives.  

This is how they thrive. . . .

Day 1: Planting Day

Day 1: Close Up

Day 3 (a)

Day 3 (b)

Day 5 (a)

Day 5 (b)

Day 12 (a)

Day 12 (b)

Day 16 (a)

Day 16 (b)

The "planted" herbs are actually grounded (pun intended) in water.  They start off as seeds implanted in upside down cones.  The cones are then placed in purified water within the grow light apparatus.  It seems growing the plants in water takes a bit longer than growing them in soil.  And it remains to be seen if I will be able to transplant them to soil at a later time.

Parsley Day 12

Parsley Day 16

Chives Day 16

Chives Day 12

Basil Day 12

Basil Day 16

Only time and experimentation will tell.  

Meanwhile, we will continue to have fun with it.  

  

Thanks, David!