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Might work. (Make sure it doesn't leak water onto the fridge, of course!)

Lots of herbs don't require bright direct light, so if you don't cover the kitchen window and block what you get, it might work. For me, though, it's too high -- I'd have to stand on a step-stool to water or maintain. And the fridge will send out some heat that cool-weather herbs won't like.

Doesn't cost much to experiment, though...

If herbs don't work up there - maybe mushrooms will...

http://www.gardeners.com/Gourmet Gifts/20677,default,sc.html?SC=XNET8005

Bring the photo to a local garden store & ask for their suggestions. Plant seedlings instead of seeds b/c you'll have better luck. Mahoney's is a good store & if you don't go on a Saturday, there may be someone willing to give you advice. If you have access to a car, check out Wilson Farms in Lexington- they are very friendly & will help you out. The little labels in seedlings will give you an idea of how much water & sunlight they need so you can group like herbs together. I have had luck planting basil & parsley together. Thyme seems to do well with just a few hours of sun. Good luck!

Buy herbs in little pots, keep them in the pots, and put them in the planter-thingy. Much more convenient, practical, and probably cleaner.

I'm very skeptical. In my experience, herbs seem to like bright sunlight for most of the day -- basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, sage, oregano -- and do poorly if they don't get the several hours of sunlight that they need. Also, I've tried to grow plants on top of a fridge before (a pothos and a spider plant) and neither plant was very happy. The spider plant just flat out died (and they're pretty resilient). I think it had something to do with the heat coming up from the back of the fridge.

I sympathize -- I'd love to grow herbs indoors, but honestly, a shady fridge-top is the last place I'd put them.

Do you have a sunny window, perhaps? Good luck!

though not a herb, wheatgrass would grow well there. Not only is it good for you, it will look good too.

On a note: No matter how you have plants in the kitchen, always be careful since dirt and meat does not mix well.

Definitely not going to work -*unless* you can get your LL to install a grow-light above the fridge. Then it would be a super place to start seeds, if you're into that.

I'm guessing if this worked there wouldn't be such a market for the AeroGarden. I have never had luck growing herbs indoors in the winter, even in the sunniest window. There simply isn't enough light in my Northern clime in the winter.

looks like it's be super easy to suspend a nice grow-light from the ceiling and power it off of the fridge outlet. hook it up to a simple timer and have it go on/off while you're at work during the day... i second the "beware of leaks"

here's a link to a cool LED grow light that's low-profile, lightweight (i.e.: easy to hang without ginormous harware), cheap and will fit well above the fridge: http://shop.sunshine-systems.com/product.sc?productId=1

I'd like to know more about the fridge.

At worst you could try planting lettuce up there... it certainly doesn't mind the shade. Might depend on how warm it gets up there, though. It doesn't look like there's a lot to trap the air around the fridge, so it may be cooler than you'd think. You could try setting out a thermometer or even just feeling the surface with your hands to see how warm it gets.

Thanks everyone for the advice! A grow light might be the best option.

I forgot to mention - the wooden tray DOES have a waterproof metal lining.

I will follow advice and take the photo to a garden centre to see what they suggest.

Merci!!

And if the herbs don't work...get a cat and add some kitty litter!

your herbs will be stunted and lean towards the window. Wheatgrass may work. Scrap the on top of the fridge tray and get a window box.

It looks kinda shallow. Without a lot of light, you probably won't be able to grow basil. i've had good luck with sage, oregano, and mint in less-than fully sunny spots, but the thing with oregano and mint is that they will spread and take over other plants in the container.

i think a better use of the space would be to plant a mesclun greens mix. mesclun doesn't need a ton of light, is kinda expensive if you buy it in the store, and is much, much better when freshly picked.

i think it's super cute that your landlord was so excited to show you the herb planter, btw.

with a waterproof metal lining, now i'm worried about proper drainage. make sure there is a layer of perlite on the bottom to help with air flow. the last thing you want up there is root rot or poor root growth.

i just read that it's important to keep the top of the fridge free of stuff to keep air circulating around the fridge and maintain temperature.