Creating An Organic Herb Planter
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This post on creating an organic herb planter was written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.
Even though the snow is melted in our backyard, we still have overnight temperatures that dip into the freezing zone. When getting my plants in the ground, I opted to put the herbs into containers that can be brought inside should it look like we’ll have a frost. The upside for this is that I am planning to maintain the herbs year round with the help of indoor grow lights, too!
Steps for Creating An Organic Herb Planter
For anyone who’s a bit gun shy overdoing any gardening, I think this project is the perfect first step. Herbs are typically easy to grow as well as so useful in the kitchen. When I visited the Home Depot to pick up my plants, I found a few key herbs available: basil, rosemary and parsley. I use a LOT of basil and parsley in my cooking and rosemary just smells so heavenly that I decided to try my hand at growing it again.
First off, I found the containers I wanted to use. We had a few smaller pots that are quite manageable for moving around and have a watering spot at the bottom. That’s a key feature for me as I don’t want to go on an adventure for a couple days and worry that my herbs will be dead upon my arrival home.
I start off by placing a nice layer of potting soil in the bottom. I found Miracle Gro Organic Potting Soil at our local Home Depot which affords me the ability to go organic and still expect good looking plants.
Next, I removed the herbs from their small containers. Mr. O and I disagreed upon whether the root ball needs to be loosened before repotting. I’d heard that tip for years and that’s the route I took. I view it as encouragement to get the roots to spread a bit more into the new soil.
The final step is to add more potting soil around the plants, tapping it down slightly around them. I then watered them and put them out into the lovely sun.
Applying the Same Principles to Vegetable Planters
As I had picked up a lovely plastic planter at Home Depot, I decided to do container gardening for our pepper plants. At least one friend up here grows peppers year round in their house and I am hoping that we can do the same by bringing the container inside when fall approaches.
Preparing My Organic Herb Planter
For those who love to see it all ‘in action’, here I am creating my organic herb planters.
Are you growing herbs in your garden this year?
If so, which ones?
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It’s hard to imagine that there is snow melting somewhere…I live in AZ and it is getting too hot for me already. I try to garden year ’round here, but in the summer my garden sometimes fries to a crisp. 🙂 I’ve got tomatoes, corn, squash, peppers, swiss chard, lettuce, sweet potato, sunflowers, chives, basil, parsley, mums, wildflowers, marigolds, spinach, jicama, lilies, sage, thyme, and rosemary growing right now.
Jenna,
We sometimes dream about moving back to the lower 48 and have a garden with the kind of needs we remember. Some things can be grown here with a greenhouse and lots of care (e.g. tomatoes), some things thrive (like cabbage) and some things just do NOT grow (like corn.)
If you can believe it, I have dreams of moving to Alaska. If I could just find a job there my husband would love, we’d be there! Then I would have to re-learn everything I know about gardening. 🙂
Growing things are QUITE different up here.
Alaska is an amazing place, although it isn’t for everyone. Of course, I think how well someone takes to it is tied with where they are living. There’s been so much growth in the Anchorage bowl into the Mat-Su valley that many comforts from elsewhere are present. However, you can’t escape the LONG days of summer and LONG dark of winter.
Love to see you in action. How long can you leave it outside in your area? I wish I lived somewhere where I could have it all year around. Maybe a Sunlight?
Shelley,
Right now the weather is warm and there’s a LOT of daylight. But, come July when it hits the rainy season we might be lugging things into the greenhouse or house as temps can drop to freezing at night. Come fall, I plan to bring the pots inside and use a growlight.
I want to start a herb garden too so this is very helpful! Thanks!
this is such a cute idea!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Those easy to water pots are so handy. Having an herb garden right outside the kitchen door is a secret ingredient to yummy!
I completely agree, Dede! I need to look for a few more to have on hand if I want to do any flowers inside.
We are starting our own herb garden!! I can’t wait!
Having our own herb garden is a must- we are always growing something, even in our little 2br condo. We usually try to grow cherry tomatoes on the ledge with Miracle Gro.
I love cherry tomatoes, too, Jenna. Sadly, it’s hard to grow tomatoes here.
I love this! I got my herbs started a few weeks ago and it is so nice to be able to walk out onto the porch and snip off what I need.
I can hardly wait to start using mine, too, Angela. The rosemary looks so good that I might use some this week.
I’m so behind on planting my herbs and I would love to plant organic ones this year. I’m with you on loosening the roots a bit. My Mom and Grandfather are avid gardeners and they always loosen the roots, so tell your Hubby that you win :).
Thanks for confirming what I remember about loosening the root balls, Amiyrah. There’s a lot hubby doesn’t want to hear about gardening, but when he’s putting in the work it is hard to contradict him.
We’re huge fans of organic gardening. We currently have swiss chard, onions, carrots, parsley, and peas growing in our garden right now.
That sounds heavenly,, Danielle. We’ve had rotten luck with carrots, although the ones grown in Alaska are incredible.
Nope, noo garden this year. I wish I could. Probably some basil and rosemary.
We’ve had years of no garden, too. At least the herbs can be done inside if there’s no outside space for them.
I really love this idea and I think my kids would love helping me make this. Thank you so much for sharing.
You’re welcome, Chelsea. I’m sure the kids would have a blast.
What a lovely planter! I like that you did one for herbs and one for veggies. That’s a great idea!
Thanks, Tesa! I was going to do all the herbs in the same big planter as the peppers (’cause I love the way it looks), but opted to use smaller ones for bringing indoors later.
What a great idea! I might have to try my hand at this
It’s definitely an easy project to do, Amanda.
I tried finding that organic miracle grow, but Our stores aren’t carrying them this year. It made me sad! I wanted them!
I’m growing Mint, and Sage this year. Plus lots of berries and vegetables in our garden.
I would have picked up sage at the Home Depot, but didn’t see any the day I was shopping. Be careful with the mint…it can take things over if not contained.
Great post and tips, I have really been wanting to do this!
What a great idea for our upcoming herb garden! Thanks!