I made an indoor rosemary garden behind my bedroom window and placed my stairclimber exerciser behind the plants. Sunshine is going through the window and shines on the plants and on my torso when I exercise. Google search shows that UV rays may not be penetrating the window- making my efforts useless. No UV to the rosemary and to my torso.

I have read Oberon's (still a member?) replies here but I would like to be informed more.

I placed a lighted candle on the window at night and saw two very clear images of the candle and the flame of the candle. But I also saw a very faint (almost invisible) image of the flame of the candle (not the candle) at the back of the two very clear images. Is the very faint image of the flame the third image that Oberon was discussing?

Are there other ways to know if the window is blocking UV? I want the UV in.

Thank you in advance.

 

Glass blocks UV-B. So, at least that part of the UV spektrum is being blocked by your windows.

One of the easiest "at home" ways to know if UV-A is getting through your windows is to get a pair of darkening prescription eyeglasses (Transitions). Eyeglasses darken mainly on UV-A exposure. If the glasses darken in your room when exposed to the sunlight then UV-A is getting through the windows.

Plants do very well with no UV spectrum. If you look at the wavelengths chlorophyll absorbs it's pretty well contained in the visible spektrum. So UV and IR are not needed by plants. I've grown a large variety of vegetables & fruits for years with great success without UV light of any type so I wouldn't worry if your windows block it or not. As for you receiving UV to make vitamin D, everything I've read says it should be avoided as it's easily obtainable through your diet and without the cancer risk associated with UV skin exposure but that's up to you.