Hey there, fellow craft enthusiasts! Are you tired of buying herbs from the grocery store only to have them wilt a few days later? I’m Robert Kline, and today I’m excited to share a project that will bring the freshness of the garden right into your kitchen: a DIY hanging herb garden!
This project is perfect for anyone who loves to cook with fresh ingredients or simply enjoys the beauty of having plants indoors. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding weekend project that will add a touch of handmade charm to your home.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials
Before we get started, let’s gather everything we need. Here’s a list of the materials and tools you’ll need for this project:
Materials:
- One piece of 1x6x8 wood (cut to 32 inches)
- Rope
- Zip ties
- Minwax Polycrylic
- Painter’s tape
- Screw hooks (2.5 inches recommended)
- Four-inch clay pots
- Potting Soil
- Your favorite herbs!
Tools:
- Jigsaw
- Drill
- Level
- Random Orbital Sander
- Speed Square
Building Your Hanging Herb Garden
Now that we have everything we need, let’s dive into the construction process:
Step 1: Preparing the Wooden Shelves
- Cutting the Wood: Start by cutting your 1x6x8 wood into three equal pieces, each measuring 32 inches long. These will serve as the shelves for your herb garden.
- Drilling the Rope Holes: Measure and mark the placement for the rope holes on each shelf. I recommend placing the holes one inch from the sides and half an inch from the ends of each board. Make sure to use a scrap piece of wood underneath to prevent tear-out when drilling.
- Expert Tip: To ensure a snug fit for the rope, it’s a good idea to drill test holes before drilling into your actual shelves.
Step 2: Creating the Pot Cutouts
- Measuring and Marking: Measure the diameter of your clay pots. This will determine the size of the holes you’ll need to cut out of the shelves. Mark the placement of each hole on your shelves.
- Drawing Perfect Circles: To make perfect circles for your pot cutouts, you can use a simple trick: Tie a piece of string to a pencil and a wood screw, ensuring the distance between them matches the radius of your desired circle. Drill the screw partially into the center of your marked hole and use the string as a guide to draw a perfect circle with the pencil.
- Cutting Out the Holes: Using a jigsaw, carefully cut out the circles for your pots. Remember to drill a pilot hole inside each circle to give your jigsaw blade a starting point.
- Sanding and Finishing: Once you’ve cut out the holes, sand the inside and edges smooth to remove any rough edges. Then, use a random orbital sander to smooth out the entire surface of your shelves. I recommend sanding up to 220 grit for a professional finish. Apply 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic, lightly sanding between each coat, to protect the wood and give it a beautiful sheen.
Step 3: Assembling the Hanging Structure
- Threading the Rope: Cut a length of rope long enough to thread through all three shelves with extra length at the top for hanging. Secure a piece of painter’s tape to the end of the rope to make threading it through the holes easier.
- Securing the Shelves: Thread the rope through the holes in each shelf, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Once you’ve threaded all three shelves, tie a secure knot at the bottom of the bottom shelf to hold everything in place.
- Adding Zip Tie Supports: To provide extra support and keep your shelves level, add zip ties beneath the rope at each corner of the shelves. You can adjust the spacing between the shelves by adjusting the placement of the zip ties.
Step 4: Hanging Your Herb Garden
- Installing the Hooks: Determine where you want to hang your herb garden, ensuring it’s a spot that receives plenty of sunlight. Measure and mark the placement for your hooks, making sure they are securely anchored into a stud in the wall.
- Hanging the Garden: Hang the loop of rope at the top of your herb garden onto the installed hooks.
Step 5: Planting Your Herbs
- Choosing Your Herbs: Now comes the fun part! Select your favorite herbs to plant in your new hanging garden. Consider a mix of herbs that complement each other in terms of flavor and growing requirements.
- Potting Your Herbs: Fill your clay pots with potting soil and carefully plant your chosen herbs. Water them thoroughly to encourage root establishment.
- Placing the Pots: Once your herbs are potted, carefully arrange them in the holes on your hanging garden.
Enjoying Your Handmade Herb Garden
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created your own beautiful and functional hanging herb garden. Now you can enjoy the satisfaction of having fresh herbs at your fingertips whenever you need them.
Don’t forget to water your herbs regularly and give them plenty of sunlight to thrive. You can also experiment with different herb combinations and create a visually stunning and fragrant focal point in your kitchen.
Share Your Creations with Robert Kline Art
I’d love to see your beautiful handmade herb gardens! Share photos of your creations on social media and tag Robert Kline Art so I can admire your work. Happy crafting!