DIY Tin Can Herb Garden

Here's a do-it-yourself-at-home idea which would make a wonderful gift for a friend, a great project to do with the kids and is both ecological and economical! Save money, recycle, be creative and do your bit to green the neighbourhood with an instant Tin Can Herb Garden. I hope you enjoy this short tutorial..



Tin Can Herb Garden

1. Save the empty cans from food such as tinned tomatoes, baked beans etc. Leave them to soak in a bowl of hot soapy washing up water to loosen their labels, then give them a good scrub.

2. Turn each tin can upside down and, gripping the can firmly with your left hand, make a hole in the centre of the base with a small chisel.

3. Fill each can two-thirds of the way up with organic peat-free compost.

4. Carefully place a herb seedling into position, add more compost around it, and firm down so that the plant is secure.

I used a combination of seedlings which I had sown from seed earlier this year and some which had helpfully self-seeded in my herb garden, which I carefully transplanted - this is a great way of sharing 'free' plants with your friends and getting them interested in herbs! However, you can also use herb plants bought from nurseries, garden centres, online or even the supermarket.. so you don't need to have any experience or your own garden to give this a go.

5. Water the new plants in well. If you are going to have your tin can collection inside on a windowsill, you might want to use drip trays - the clear plastic containers used for dips are exactly the right size and compliment the silvery cans perfectly.