Photo by Mick Telkamp Mason jars are an inexpensive and stylish solution for growing herbs indoors. Throughout the summer, the planter boxes on my deck are loaded with herbs. I used to keep a wide variety because, well, they’re easy to grow and don’t take up much space. Eventually, I realized that growing cilantro doesn’t make much sense, since I can’t stand the stuff, and one variety of mint is probably plenty. Dill, on the other hand, is an important part of summer pickling, I’ll use parsley in just about anything and no matter now much basil I grow, it won’t be enough. Rounded out with rosemary, chives and a few others, my deck rail herb garden has become a crucial part of my summer gardening. But what happens when summer turns to fall? We move the operation indoors. Growing herbs indoors is an easy choice when using fresh herbs are part of your kitchen routine. In past years, there has always been a bit of a scramble to find enough small containers to transplant the many herbs growing on the back porch.

That wasn’t a problem this year as we embrace the ease, style and convenience of mason jar gardening. Mason jars are readily available, inexpensive and have an innate rustic style that endures. Using Mason jars (or other recycled jars) for growing herbs is a no-muss, no-fuss solution when transplanting herbs or starting from scratch. Purple Elephant CurtainsFollow the steps below to manage drainage, growing medium, sunlight requirements and will add a bit of flair to our favorite indoor plants.Yellow Labrador Puppies Pittsburgh Pa Small rocks or gravelBetter Homes And Gardens Pub Table Cherry Herb plants or seeds Because the jars do not have holes for drainage, starting with a layer of rocks, gravel or even marbles about 2 inches deep in the bottom of jars will prevent roots from damage from excess water.

Unlike soil, potting mix is a planting medium that includes lighter organic material like peat, composts and sometimes perlite. Potting mix (not to be confused with potting soil) provides excellent moisture retention and is a good choice for container gardening. Fill jars with potting mix to 1-2 inches below the jar rim. While a Mason jar herb garden is an easy way to transplant herbs from outdoor planter boxes for kitchen-friendly gardening, Mason jars are also a cheap and convenient way to plant herbs indoors. Follow instructions provided by seed provider for best results, but in most cases, simply sow seeds on top of potting mix, cover with an inch or so of additional potting mix and lightly water. When transplanting herbs to Mason jars, gently pull roots apart to encourage growth, plant in jar and pack mix firmly around the roots and base of plant (top off jar). For plants with more established roots, it may be necessary to remove a little potting mix from the jar before planting.

Keep roots exposed to the air for as little time as possible and water plants as soon as they are re-planted. Herbs can be labeled using a craft stick placed in the dirt, an identification card attached to the neck of the jar or a sticker affixed to the jar itself. In most cases, your Mason jar garden will remain in plain sight, so a pretty label goes a long way toward adding a bit of flair to these functional containers. Your Mason jar garden is terrifically portable. Place jars in a location that receives at least 6 hours of  sunshine a day (windowsill, countertop, etc), but enjoy the ease with which they can be moved around. Keep herbs watered, but do not overwater. Harvest your kitchen crops as needed to add flavor to whatever is on the menu.A simple, quick and fun project that will add not only a decorative touch but doubles as a useful culinary staple is a Mason jar herb garden. Most herbs are extremely easy to grow and growing them in a jar is a straightforward endeavor as long as you provide plenty of light and proper drainage.

A couple of herb garden Mason jars tucked into a bookshelf or resting in a sunny windowsill add a splash of outdoor color to the kitchen. Plus, the added benefit is you can easily snip off a sprig from your jar of herbs for your latest culinary masterpiece. Suitable plants for herb jars include: The first step to creating a Mason jar herb garden is obtaining the jars. Used for canning foods since 1858, Mason jars are still available today. However, searching for them at flea markets, thrift stores or Grandma’s basement or attic is a fun, inexpensive way of getting your jars and you can pat yourself on the back for recycling and repurposing! You may even use recycled pasta or pickle jars with the labels soaked and the jars thoroughly washed. Starting your jar of herbs from seeds in the Mason jar is not a recommended course of action. Using transplants is a surer recipe for success when planting herbs in canning jars, such as the plants for herb jars listed above. Herbs have roots that are a little larger than their top growth so be sure to use a jar that allows for the root growth.

It is helpful to select drought friendly herbs in case of missed watering, and trailing herbs like some thyme look lovely in the glass jar. Adequate drainage is essential for your herbs in canning jars, so the next step is to drill a few holes in the Mason jar. This step can be dangerous, so be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves. Use a diamond cutting drill bit and cover the jar with cutting oil. Use even pressure and drill slowly to prevent breakage. Make several 1/8 to ¼ inch holes in the Mason jar. Fill the bottom of the jar with broken pottery shards, colored stones or the like to improve drainage and add visual interest to your Mason jar herb garden. Conversely, if you do not have a drill or are timid about using it on glass, you may simply fill the bottom with an inch or so of stones, marbles, pottery bit, etc. to keep the roots from becoming too wet and rotting. Fill the jar with a bagged potting mix or your own mix of equal part sphagnum peat, compost and sand to about 1 inch below the jar’s edge.