Fresh herbs can transform any dish by adding a burst of flavor. But buying herbs week after week can get expensive. Why not try growing your own mini herb garden? With just a few inexpensive supplies, you can enjoy homegrown herbs right on your kitchen window sill!
What You’ll Need
- A 2 liter plastic juice container or carton
- Scissors
- Tape
- Potting mix
- Seeds for at least 3 different herbs
- Plant tags (can use cardboard)
- Water spray bottle
- Liquid fertilizer
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Tape up one end of the carton securely. This will be the bottom of your planter box.
- Carefully cut off one long side of the carton. Avoid cutting into the sides.
- Poke 6 small drainage holes in the bottom — 2 at each end and 2 in the middle.
- Fill the box with potting mix, leaving 1–2 cm at the top. This space helps prevent overflow when watering.
- Place the planter box in a tray to catch drainage.
- Plant seeds for 3–4 herbs, spacing them out. Use 4–5 seeds per herb to ensure some germinate.
- Lightly cover seeds with soil. Plant garlic cloves pointy end up with 2 cm soil on top.
- Make plant tags by cutting cardboard strips and writing the herb name. Push tags into the soil to identify plants.
- Mist the soil until damp. Keep it moist as seeds germinate over 10–12 days.
- Once seedlings are 4 cm tall, move them to a sunny spot. Avoid growing indoors.
- Feed with liquid fertilizer like worm castings diluted in water every 2 weeks. Don’t over-fertilize!
- Harvest herbs just before or as they start to flower for the best flavor.
And that’s it! With a mini herb garden, you can enjoy fresh oregano, basil, thyme, sage, and more all season long. The fragrant herbs will be ready to spice up your cooking whenever you need them. Give it a try!
