Make Your Own Can Herb Garden

Here are instructions to make a beautiful and functional herb garden from empty cans. Recycle those cans, grow your own herbs, and be decorative all at the same time!

The first step in making your can herb garden is to collect empty cans. Your cans don't all have to be all the same size, but they do need to be washed out thoroughly and the labels need to be removed. Soup or vegetable cans work well for this project.

Decide how many cans your herb garden will be made from and how big they will be based on how much space you have available to put them in. Remember that your herb garden will need some sunlight, so if you only have one window in your kitchen you don't want more cans than will fit on your windowsill.

Begin by painting your cans so that they will match your kitchen. You can spray paint the cans, or hand paint them with details like sponge painting, or you can simply cover them in clear polyurethane to prevent them from rusting. Make sure to paint in a well ventilated area, and then let them dry completely before going to the next step.

In the bottom of each can add about an inch to an inch and a half of rock so that the herbs will have a way to drain later. You can use driveway rocks for this or you can use the plastic rocks that often line the bottoms of flower arrangements and fish tanks.

On top of your rocks add a loose layer of quality dirt or plant starter. Fill each can to within one inch of its top.

In the dirt of each can, add your seeds or seedlings, cover them over with dirt, and give them their first watering. The rocks on the bottom will allow any excess water to drain down and later either be absorbed back into the dirt or evaporate on its own.

Now take your can herb garden and line up the cans on your kitchen windowsill so that your herbs will get good sun.

A canned herb garden is not only a decorative and fun project for your kitchen, but also a great way to have fresh herbs nearly year round to cook with.

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