5 x budget-friendly upcycled garden ideas—grow a thriving veggie patch from store-bought herbs
Start an upcycling-inspired herb garden and give leftover items and reclaimed finds new life. If your green thumb only started sprouting in early summer, don’t worry. You can quickly harvest store-bought herbs by choosing healthy ones, planting them right away, and watering thoroughly.
1. A full measure
Basil loves warmth and does best in a pot. You can create beautiful planters by using old measuring pitchers. Because they’re lightweight, you can move them to wherever the sun shines. Bring these delicate herbs indoors to protect them from rain or cooler weather. Plant the basil in soil and water it thoroughly—store-bought basil is used to plenty of water while growing, so a good soak helps it adapt. Get more tips for growing basil!
2. Room to grow
If you have a dog in the family, consider fencing your herb garden so your enthusiastic helper can’t dig up the soil. This rosemary’s peaceful growing space is ensured by a simple branch fence topped with old glass insulators.
3. Growth ahead
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different growing containers. Thyme and parsley with small root systems can easily grow in pots or even a coffee kettle. A zinc bucket provides enough soil for tomato or chili [in Finnish] seedlings. If needed, use an inner container that’s safe for edible plants so no harmful substances leach from the upcycled container into the soil. Easy-to-grow herbs include lemon balm, mint [in Finnish], chervil, chives [in Finnish] and parsley.
4. An airy fence
Partition your kitchen garden from the rest of the yard with a lightweight rebar fence that still lets you see through. Let herb bundles dry in the breeze for a moment before bringing them indoors. Take a look at more creative ways to use rebar in your yard and garden!
5. Practical eye candy
Make charming plant markers from old plates. Tea and coffee cup saucers work especially well. Use a paint marker to write the herb name around the top edge, then press the saucer halfway into the soil so the text is easy to see.
