Maximize your gardening space and add a touch of greenery to your home with our guide on how to plant a vertical herb garden. In this post, we walk you through the steps to create a stunning and functional vertical garden that will provide fresh herbs at your fingertips.
For those looking to protect their herb garden from pests, our article on how to keep pests out of herb garden offers valuable tips.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Vertical herb gardens are a great way to grow herbs in small spaces or areas with limited sunlight. |
| Many different herbs can be grown in a vertical herb garden, including basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, and mint. |
| Designing and planting a vertical herb garden can be a fun and creative project that adds both beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. |
| Proper watering techniques are crucial for the success of a vertical herb garden, and may require a bit more attention than a traditional garden. |
| If you’re interested in creating a vertical herb garden, there are many helpful resources available to guide you through the process. |
If you’re curious about which houseplants are safe for cats to eat, be sure to check out our post on what kind of house plants can cats eat. Dive in and learn how to create a thriving vertical herb garden in your home
Use Old Wooden Boxes
You can also buy or make wooden boxes and plant herbs in pots that fit inside the box. Drill holes in the bottom of the box and place it over a hole you’ve dug in your garden.
You can even use these boxes as planters for other plants, like tomatoes and peppers.
Diy Pull Out Trays
To make your own pull-out tray, you’ll need a piece of plywood that is the same size as your box. Drill holes in the wood and screw it to the inside of one side of your planter box using screws that are slightly smaller than their diameter.
Tiered Ladder Herb Garden
For a tiered system, hang planters from a ladder. It’s simply a matter of finding the right size of ladder for your space and adding hooks.
This method is great because it allows you to maximize the space in your garden and ensure that all plants are getting enough sunlight.
For added storage, use hooks to attach a hanging pot rack for additional drying space for herbs or flowers—or to simply make cleaning up easier!
“If you’re new to indoor gardening, starting with easy-to-grow plants is a great way to gain confidence and experience. Our article on 18 great indoor plants for beginners can help you get started on your indoor gardening journey.”
Kitchen Crock With A Hanging Rack
If you have a kitchen crock and want to attach a hanging rack, follow these steps:
- Drill three holes into the side of the crock, one at each corner.
Use screws to attach a piece of wood or other material for your hanging rack. The screws should be long enough that they go through both pieces of material and into the wall behind them.
If you are using something other than wood, like plastic or metal, it is likely that these materials will need to be drilled first before attaching them to your wall.
Attach any other necessary fixtures for holding herbs in place as well as watering devices if needed (see below).
Pallet Herb Garden
- Pallet herb garden: This is a great way to create vertical space in your garden. You will need
- A pallet, preferably one that has been used before and has had the lettering removed.
- Seeds of your choice (basil, chives, oregano).
- Soil (enough to fill up the hole where you are going to plant).
- Watering can or hose attachment on an outdoor faucet if you have one available.*
Stacked Hanging Planters
Stacked hanging planters are great for growing herbs that need a lot of sun, like tomatoes and peppers. The pots can be stacked vertically or horizontally, and they’re often made from plastic.
If you’re planning on stacking your planters vertically, make sure they have enough room between them so they aren’t too close to each other when you hang them.
For example, if the bottom of your existing planter has four holes in it (one for each corner), then you’ll need to make sure that when it’s all stacked up there will be at least five inches or so in between each hole on the bottom row of pots.
Once you’ve figured out how much space will work best for your situation and have drilled a hole into each corner pot with a drill bit sized according to what size screwdriver head fits into it you can secure the pots together by using a screwdriver to tighten one side onto another until there’s no more room for movement between them.
Then using an electric drill equipped with a hole saw bit slightly larger than any screws used thus far (e.g., if ½” screws were used earlier then ¾” bits would work best here) cut out circular openings at either end where they meet up with their corresponding corners/sides so when hung up these openings allow water runoff as well as air flow into all parts of soil above ground level (aka top layer).
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Metal Bucket Vertical Planter
If you have a bucket, this is an easy alternative to using concrete blocks. Drill holes into the bottom of your metal bucket so that water can drain out when it collects. Now drill some holes in the side of the bucket as well.
Fill these with soil and then plant herbs inside! You may need to put something underneath your buckets if they’re on cement (like bricks or stones) so they don’t wiggle around too much while watering them or harvesting your herbs!
Mason Jars And Wood
First, you’ll need to create a frame for the herbs. You can do this by using any type of wood that’s available to you: 2x4s, bamboo poles, or even leftover scraps lying around (you can always get creative with your materials).
The next step is placing the jars directly into the holes in your frame. These will act as planting containers for your herbs so they don’t have any problems with drainage!
You’ll want them at least two inches apart from each other; if they’re too close together they won’t have enough space or sunlight access.”
Now comes the fun part: adding some soil and plants to those newly constructed mason jars! We recommend using an organic potting mix made specifically for window boxes because it won’t leach nutrients out into surrounding soil like regular soil would.”
“Choosing the right soil is crucial for the success of your indoor plants. Our article on what soil is best to use for indoor plants provides helpful tips and advice on selecting the right soil for your plants’ needs.”
Old Book Case Herb Garden
Use old book cases. You can find these at thrift stores or garage sales, and they’re usually inexpensive. If you decide to buy a new one, make sure it’s made of wood (not particle board) and has no toxic glue in its construction.
Fill in gaps with old books. Take any books you have lying around your home (even ones that are several years old) and use them as filler until your bookcase is full enough to support the weight of the plants without tipping over or falling apart.
Cover the bottom of bookcases with old books for extra stability—and if there are any gaps between rows of shelves that allow for water drainage, cover those too!
Window Box Herb Planter
For window box herb planters, you’ll need a wooden box or window box, organic potting soil and seeds of your choice.
If you want to make your own wood planter boxes, cut the wood into the size of your desired planter (or measure it and buy a pre-cut wooden box), paint it with two coats of white exterior paint, let it dry completely in between coats and add handles if desired.
To plant herbs in pots: Fill each container three-quarters full with organic potting soil; water thoroughly until water drains from bottom holes.
Place herb seeds on top of moistened soil; cover seedlings lightly with 3/4” layer of organic compost for each container filled one quarter full that has been watered well until liquid runs out bottom holes at least once per week throughout growing season (make sure plants are getting enough light).
You can also try hanging racks if space is tight or planting herbs in baskets like this one from Amazon (this basket comes with everything needed except seeds).
You can even create an attractive vertical garden using old bookshelves like these shown below.
“Maintaining indoor plants doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There are many low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for, even for beginners. Learn more about these plants in our article on 15 indoor plants that are easy to maintain.”
Old Vinyl Column Garden Planter Using Pallets
You’re going to need:
- Pallets. You can buy them or get them for free by asking around your neighborhood, but be sure they are free of any chemicals or pesticides!
- Pots. Make sure they fit the pallets and aren’t too deep; otherwise, you won’t be able to use the space underneath where many plants like dill and parsley grow best. I recommend using terra cotta pots as they’re very durable and cheap!
- Soil (preferably organic) for planting herbs that prefer it damp like basil or peppermint.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of the best planters for vertical gardens and your next summer projects! If you want more inspiration, check out our Pinterest page. Happy gardening!
“Pests can wreak havoc on your herb garden, but with the right strategies, you can keep them under control. Check out our pro tips on how to keep pests out of your herb garden to learn effective ways to protect your plants from common pests.”
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about vertical herb gardening, here are some additional resources:
Vertical Herb Gardens: This article from Better Homes and Gardens provides tips and inspiration for creating a vertical herb garden.
Growing a Vertical Herb Garden: This guide from Easy Vertical Gardening offers step-by-step instructions for growing a vertical herb garden.
Vertical Herb Garden Ideas: Gardeners Oasis shares creative ideas and inspiration for designing and planting a vertical herb garden.
FAQs
What is a vertical herb garden?
A vertical herb garden is a garden that is designed to grow herbs vertically, using a variety of containers, trellises, and other structures to maximize space and create a visually appealing display.
What are the benefits of a vertical herb garden?
Vertical herb gardens are a great way to grow herbs in small spaces or in areas with limited sunlight. They can also be used to create a decorative focal point in your garden or outdoor living space.
What herbs are good for vertical herb gardens?
Many herbs can be grown in a vertical herb garden, including basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, and mint. Choose herbs that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions.
How do you water a vertical herb garden?
Watering a vertical herb garden can be a bit trickier than watering a traditional garden. Use a watering can or drip irrigation system to water the plants thoroughly, and be sure to water them more frequently than you would in a traditional garden.
What are some creative ideas for designing a vertical herb garden?
There are many creative ways to design a vertical herb garden, such as using repurposed pallets or old ladders as planters, creating a living wall with a variety of herbs, or using a tiered planter to showcase a variety of different herbs.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.