How To Grow Herbs

Cooking a healthy hearty meal for your family is just half the battle when it comes to getting your weight and overall health together. A great affordable way to help with this goal is to start growing your very own herb garden, right on your kitchen counter. It doesn’t take much or cost much, so no excuses.

What You Need:

• 5 used food cans in a variety of sizes
• 2 basil plants
• 1 rosemary plant
• 1 thyme plant
• 1 oregano plant
• 1 parsley plant
• Small scissors
• Large terra-cotta saucer
• River rock or pebbles
• Potting soil
• Drill with small drill bit
• Rubbing alcohol
• Twine or string
• Water bottle

What To Do: 

Prepare Your Herb Cans

Begin by washing out all of your cans and thoroughly dry them. If your cans have any ink or paint on them use rubbing alcohol to remove this. The ink can be toxic to your plant, so this is an important step. Now in order to create drainage holes, take all of your cans and drill several evenly spaced holes in the bottom.

Prepare Your Saucer

Using river rocks and small pebbles create a layer on the bottom of your terra-cotta saucer. This will help to catch the drainage from the cans.

Add Herbs

Using those same rocks and pebbles add a shallow layer of rocks on the bottom of the cans. On top of the rocks place a layer of potting soil, filling the can 2/3 of the way. Take the fresh herb plants and break up/loosen the roots. In the largest can place the 2 basil plants, and place the others in the remaining cans. Make sure the roots are completely covered by soil, adding more if necessary.

Assemble Garden 

Using a water bottle spray down plants gently, making sure they are fully watered. Place the cans onto the terra-cotta saucer, then place the saucer near a sunny window. The plants need minimally six hours of sunlight daily. Wrap the twine/string around all of the cans, keeping them secure and together. Label each can with its respective name so that you know which is which. Be sure to water daily.