Here’s a way to bring your herb garden inside, while giving yourself a weekend project that you’ll be super proud of. Thanks The Bird And Her Song blog for the great idea:
I’m a hopeless nester trying to keep up with my constantly evolving taste. Every time you walk into my house, it will look different because I’ve changed something or tried something new. Something that feels more fringe, yet more cosy. More bold, yet more peaceful.
The goal is really to create a home that feels timeless. A house that I like today and that I’ll like when I look back on in pictures in 30 years. Finding that is tough. It’s some balance between putting in effort and being bold, but not trying too hard. Like, why did I hang a vintage boot from my ceiling in the kitchen? That doesn’t even make sense.
I may never get there, but I sure enjoy the journey. All these projects, whether they turn out great or ugly, are food for creativity and for a love of crafting. The sense of accomplishment that comes from do-it-yourself projects is addictive. You feel creative, powerful, authentic, and you usually save money in the process. My favourites are the ones that not only look pretty, but also serve a purpose. Here’s why I’m so excited about this one:
I hate it in the winter when my garden dies. My lush garden that was once green and colourful turns into a brown mess of sticks. No more gardening outdoors. No more veggies.
You become dependent on your garden, even on the little herbs! Individual packages of herbs are expensive at the store, and cooking isn’t as tasty without them. To fill the gardening void, save some money and make my house prettier, I made an indoor hanging herb garden. It’s definitely one of those pretty-and-useful projects that I talked about earlier.
Disclaimer: Herbs need a good source of sunlight, so this will work best if you can find a north-facing window in your house.
Autumn is the perfect time to bring your herbs indoors. They’ll start to die outside, but you can continue to grow them all winter if you bring them in. Mint, basil, chives, lavender, oregano … parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme… Simon & Garfunkel anyone? are all herbs that do really well re-potted or bought and planted inside. Take them from your own garden or go rescue some from a local store. (I was at the grocery store the other day and they had so many herbs sitting outside which is always a sad sight in the Autumn because you know half of them will be tossed once it gets colder. I swear I heard one little rosemary plant squeak out to me saying “Pick me pick me …I would be perfect in your kitchen window”. So I grabbed 8 different herbs and brought them home with me.)
OK, let’s get to the good stuff:
ITEMS NEEDED
8 x 100mm clay pots (you can find these at local hardware/craft stores)
Here’s a way to bring your herb garden inside.
White spray paint
8 x rubber bands
*Optional* small tube of accent paint to colour the bottom of the pots
One small foam paintbrush
One roll of 4-ply jute rope
2 x 100cm oak dowel rods
8 x curtain hanging rings
4 x curtain brackets to hold the rods
Potting soil and whatever herbs you’d like to grow.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Tape the inside edge of your pots to keep paint from seeping into the soil, then spray paint clay pots white and let them dry completely.
2. *Optional: only if you’re adding an accent colour to pots* Place rubber band around the pot where your accent colour will begin to create a clean line when painting. Paint accent layer with foam brush.
3. Cut jute into 8 x 90cm strips (adjust length depending on the height of your window and how low you want pots to hang).
4. Tie an overhand knot on each end of the jute pieces.
5. Wrap one end of the jute around a pot and tuck the overhand knot underneath itself to anchor. (You’re basically tying another overhand knot using the existing knot.)
6. Place a piece of paper at the bottom of each pot before planting. (This is so that water can drain through your plants and eventually out of the bottom of their pots without dirt pouring everywhere. All you’ll need to do is wipe up a little excess water.)
7. Use potting soil and plant those herbs.
8. Thread dowel rods through the rings (four each) and hang on brackets.
9. Raise your pot, string the free end of the jute through one of your curtain rings and then secure it on the opposite side of the pot with a final overhand knot. Do this with all eight pots. (You could also tie your pots to their rings before you put them on the rods, depending on how much clearance you have on each side of your window.)
10. Enjoy!
Article via The Bird And Her Song.