Are you ready for spring?  We have been so blessed with a mild winter but I am still ready to start gardening!  One area every homeowner or renter should think about is starting an herb garden.  No pots? No problem, use jars.  If you don’t have any jars handy, Buchheit carries an entire line of Ball Mason jars. 

Today I am transplanting some of my chives into a quart size jar to use as a display for the upcoming container gardening class hosted by Buchheit.  Even if you have limited space in your apartment, I bet you have a window sill or front stoop where you can fit several quart jars.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Mason Jars
Small rocks
Potting soil
Herb plants

If you have the skill set, you can take a diamond bit drill bit and drill several drainage holes in the bottom of your jars. If not, add some small rocks or broken pottery to the bottom for drainage, but don’t over water.

Start with clean quart Mason jar. Place it inside a pan to catch dirt when filling. Fill at least 2 inches of the bottom with small rocks or broken shards of pottery.

Add potting soil. Do not use regular dirt or bagged top soil as they will compress as you water, removing the air pockets from the jar and killing the herb.  Fill to about two inches from the top of jar.

Add your choice of herb.  Gently pack with more potting soil up to one inch from lip of jar.

Water with warm water and sit in a sunny kitchen window.  Don’t forget to check it!  Water as needed but don’t over water.  If you see green moss, do not worry it’s not going to damage the herb.   Back off on the water a bit.

Best herbs to grow in Mason jars are basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary and chives.  Using plants rather than starting seeds will be more successful when using Mason jars. When they outgrow that jar just transplant them into larger containers and replant smaller herbs back into the jars.

Don’t forget to cut and enjoy them in your cooking!  Cut chives not from the top but use whole leaves snipped close to the bottom of the plants. There’s nothing like fresh herbs to add favor to a meal!  Hope this encourages you to start an herb garden today.  Be blessed!  Anne May