Spice up your recipes with fresh herbs from your own DIY Indoor Hanging Herb Garden!
DIY Indoor Hanging Herb Garden Tutorial w/ EcoScraps
Gardening has always been one of my favorite past times. When it’s warm out our back porch is covered with a variety of herbs and our garden is full of vegetables, but since it’s still the middle of winter, it’s a bit too early to grow most vegetables. I can, however, still grow my herbs! How? This incredibly easy and inexpensive DIY Indoor Hanging Herb Garden and EcoScraps plant food!
Fresh herbs are a great way to spice up your cooking game. They make everyday dishes taste amazing like this Herbed Corn and this Fresh Herb Spread! And all you really need is to water the plants, feed them, and make sure they get plenty of light. Best of all, growing your own herbs allows you to use the exact amount you need, therefore cutting back on the unnecessary wasting of food.
EcoScraps
Did you know, that just in the United States alone, we waste 40% of the food produced. That’s enough to fill the Rose Bowl –every day. That wasted food sits in our landfills producing methane, which is 20 times more harmful than CO2! That waste (also known as compost) would be a lot better off being used to plant and feed lots of beautiful plants and herbs, and that’s exactly what the founders of EcoScraps believe, too. #BadFoodGoneGood
Not familiar with EcoScraps? EcoScraps is a line of soils and plant foods that was created by people who saw a better way to make soil—better for our gardens, better for our planet. The founders, Dan and Craig, were in college at an all-you-can-eat buffet when they realized just how much food was being wasted. Disgusted by the waste, they came up with a plan to convert restaurant scraps and waste into natural and organic compost soils and plant food. And based on their belief that bad food transformed into rich, organic soils and plant foods can do a lot of good for our families and the environment, EcoScraps was brought to life.
In addition to providing the nutrients my herbs need to grow, since EcoScraps is basically made up of leftover food, I don’t have to worry about any unhealthy ingredients going into the foods that I feed my family. And I’m doing my part to help the environment, too. It’s a win-win situation! Check out this YouTube video to learn more about how EcoScraps can help you #GrowFoodBetter.
DIY Indoor Hanging Herb Garden
This quick and simple DIY turns a few easy-to-find materials into a great indoor hanging herb garden that can fit in even the smallest of spaces. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies and a bright window (South or West facing are best) and you can have fresh herbs no matter the season!
Supplies You Will Need for Indoor Hanging Herb Garden
Please note, I added Amazon affiliate links to make shopping easy. If you make a purchase through these links, I’ll make a small bonus at no extra charge to you:
- jars (I found mine at Walmart and they already had a handle for hanging! Amazon has several jars, too)
- picture hanging wire (only if you cannot find jars with handles for hanging)
- ‘S’ hooks
- curtain rod
- chalkboard labels and chalk
- Activated Charcoal
- small rocks or pebbles (I use aquarium gravel)
- EcoScraps Natural and Organic Tomato, Herb & Vegetable Plant Food
- potting mix
- herbs
How to Make Indoor Hanging Herb Garden
Step One: Place Pebbles or Gravel In Bottom of Jars
Because the jars do not have holes for drainage, adding a layer or rocks or gravel about 1.5 inches deep will help prevent the roots getting damaged from excess water. I always use the rocks you can put into aquariums, making sure to rinse them well first.
Step Two: Add Activated Charcoal
Next add about 1/2″ activated charcoal on top of the pebbles. The activated charcoal will help to balance the pH in soil, assist with drainage, and also prevents bacteria buildup in the soil due to over-watering which can hurt the plant roots and cause disease or death in plants.
Step Three: Add Potting Soil
Fill the jars with about 2 inches of potting mix. I always use potting mix because it is different from potting soil in that it provides excellent moisture retention making it a great choice for container gardening.
Step Four: Add EcoScraps Natural and Organic Tomato, Herb & Vegetable Plant Food
Add about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of EcoScraps Natural and Organic Tomato, Herb & Vegetable Plant Food and mix it into the soil. Then fill the jar about 3/4 with more potting soil. EcoScraps plant food provides the nutrients all herbs, fruits and vegetables need to grow. It also has added calcium to help prevent rot. It comes in little pellets which are very easy to distribute, and the bag has a zip up feature to keep it fresh and dry in between uses.
Step Five: Transplant the Herbs
When transplanting herbs to jars you will want to keep the roots exposed to the air for as little time as possible. Before removing the herbs from the containers they came in, dig a small depression into the soil that is in the jar. Now remove the container the plant came in, and gently pull the roots apart to encourage growth and get rid of any clumps of soil. Place the plant into the jar. Slowly add more potting soil, packing it firmly around the roots and the base of plant, topping off the jar. Lightly water the plants as soon as they are re-planted.
Step Six: Label Jars
Once the herbs are in their new home, adding a pretty label will go a long way toward adding a bit of flair! The chalkboard stickers are a fun way to label your herbs, and they are easy to erase and remove. Simply place a chalkboard sticker on the front of the jar, then write the name of the herb using chalk or a chalk marker.
Step Seven: Create Handle on Jars (if you are using jars without handles)
As I mentioned above, I was lucky to find jars with handles to make hanging them a cinch. If you are using jars without a handle, you will want to create a handle using the picture hanging wire. Simply wrap the wire around the mouth of the jar several times, and then form a handle (similar to what I did in this post for DIY Upcycled Hanging Flower Vases). Make sure it is secure.
Step Eight: Hanging Your Herb Garden
Install the curtain rod in a window that receives lots of natural light. Most herbs need at least 6 hours of bright light per day, if not direct sunlight. I hung my herbs over the sink in my kitchen so they would be within easy reach while I was cooking and because that window gets lots of natural light.
Once the rod is installed, all that is left is to attach the ‘S’ hooks to the jar handles and then hang each jar on the curtain rod.
And there you have it! Your Mason jar garden is complete.
Caring for your Indoor Hanging Herb Garden
This Indoor Hanging Herb Garden is super easy to maintain! Keep your herbs watered, but be extra careful not to over-water. Keep the soil moist, but not damp. So far I haven’t had any problems due to lack of drainage. The rocks and activated charcoal work well!
About once every four to six weeks, add a small amount of Ecoscraps Natural and Organic Tomato, Herb & Vegetable Plant Food. I usually put about 1/4 tsp in each jar and mix it around in the top layer a bit, then lightly water the plants. This extra food helps the herbs grow strong and healthy. And best of all, since it’s made from food scraps, it’s all natural and organic so I don’t have to worry about unwanted ingredients going into the herbs which I feed to my family. Plus I’m doing my part to help the environment – it’s a win-win situation!
Harvest your kitchen crops as needed to add flavor to whatever is on the menu. Remember, the more you trim them, the more flavorful and abundant the plants become. Plus, frequent cutting also encourages new leaf growth. Herbs flourish super quickly, so you’re going to want to make sure to snip them early, before they begin to flower.
Another reason I love this hanging herb garden is because it is terrifically portable! You can hang your plants from the curtain rod, or from hooks in the ceiling, or just about anywhere that gets plenty of light.
EcoScraps products can be found at your local Lowe’s.
Connect with EcoScraps: Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Julie Wood says
I want to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural All Purpose Food (5-5-5).
Kelly D says
I would try the EcoScraps Moisture Retaining 32-Quart Organic Potting Mix.
Sheila K. says
I’d like to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food (5-4-5)!
Tammy says
Since I have a garden, it would have to be EcoScraps Fresh Start 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food (2-14-0)
Erin Walsh says
I’d like to try the “EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural All Purpose Food ” on my plants.
Derrick Johnson says
I’d like to try the Eco-Scraps Tomato,Herb and Vegetable Organic/Natural Soil!
Elena says
My favorite is the EcoScraps 1-cu ft Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil
Linda says
I would like to try the 32 quart organic potting mix.
Rajee Pandi says
https://www.lowes.com/pd/EcoScraps-4-lb-Organic-Natural-All-Purpose-Food-5-5-5/999989992
Natalie says
I would love to try the EcoScraps Fresh Start 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food.
Elle says
My choice is the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food!
heather says
I would so like to try this one the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food (5-4-5) that sounds amazing.
Kathleen Kennedy-Leon says
I would try the potting mix, since i have so many houseplants that could be refreshed.
shelly peterson says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Organic Potting Mix.
Cheryl B says
I would choose the tomato, herb and vegetable plant food soil.
Erin Fesperman says
I’d love to try the EcoScraps Fresh Start 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food! It’s almost time to plant my seeds so I need to start getting everything together!
HS says
I would like to try EcoScraps Organic/Natural All Purpose Food.
monique s says
I would try the EcoScraps Moisture Retaining 32-Quart Organic Potting Mix.
elizabeth miller says
I would love to try the Ecoscraps EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food (5-4-6). We grow 2 full beds of tomatoes each year for canning and this sounds like a really good natural food for them.
Angelica Dimeo says
I would love the eco scrape Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil
Kate D. says
I would love to try the Fresh Start Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food
Theresa Becker says
Luv this project need in my Kitchen
Cathy French says
I would like to try the Outdoors Fertilizer & Weed Control Plant Food
EcoScraps Fresh Start 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food
Dana Rodriguez says
I want to try the EcoScraps Moisture Retaining 32-Quart Organic Potting Mix.
JENN Stapp says
I want to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural All Purpose Food (5-5-5). I like that its all purpose so I dont have to think about what kind of food to give to which plants.
Aisha H says
I’d like to try the berry plant food! We love planting berries so this would be wonderful to try!
Karen A. says
I’d like to try the EcoScraps 1-cu ft Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil for my tomatoes.
Cheryl Chervitz says
I would like to try the EcoScraps 1-cu ft Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil.
Deborah Caudill says
I would like to try the Ecoscraps 4 lb. Rose and Flower Food. They all sound amazing.
caine0316 says
I would love to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural
Janice Cooper says
I would love to try EcoScraps Rose & Flower 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower Food
Barrie says
I like the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food (5-4-5). I try to plant veggies in my containers every year.
Jessica says
I would like to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food (5-4-5).
Daleene Fox says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food.
Deborah Cochran says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Citrus and Avocado 4-lb Organic/Natural Tree and Shrub Food. Our avocado tree is looking a little sad 🙁
Mahdi says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food. I want an herb garden for the Spring. Tomatoes tend to have a difficult time growing properly in our yard.
Sylvie says
The guys who founded EcoScraps should get a Nobel prize or something. BTW, I love the idea of a hanging herb garden. I have a lot of empty jars at home and I don’t really know what to do w/ ’em.
Mario Garcia says
Wonderful way to design a hanging herb garden. I´m amazed by all the things one can make with plants.
Martha says
Perfect for small apartments! I’m no green thumb but this looks pretty easy enough to do. Thanks for this article!
Jeanette says
Activated charcoal! I’ve never heard of that. I once had a vertical garden at my patio but I think I over-watered my plants. I wanna try this but I have to be extra careful this time!
Therese Marie Y. Baguio says
Amazing! This is a very helpful article as I’m going to put my own hanging garden real soon. I love the idea of herbs in the garden as well, although I prefer flowers. Thanks for suggesting the plant food too.
Kyo Kusagi says
I love the idea. However, people must be careful for these plans could attract mosquitoes. In these parts, Dengue is an issue.
Kadoya Tsukasa says
Where can I find those type of pots? They are not the conventional pot. I would love to have one.
Alaina Bullock says
Hi Kadoya!
I found these at my local Walmart. You could really use anything you’d like – even mason jars!
Luciana says
I love them! They not only are useful, but they look really classy!
Kitz says
This is very helpful and informative! Thank you for sharing and reminding us to be creative. Nothing can beat the taste of fresh herbs indeed. And to get those herbs from your own garden is such an awesome idea!
Rain Santos-Ocampo says
I’ve always wanted to buy an indoor hanging herb garden but had a hard time finding one where I live. Good thing I stumbled across this and didn’t realize I could just DIY it.
This has inspired me to create my own creative hanging herb garden in my patio. 🙂
Mau says
I love the idea of Ecoscraps! It’s a win win for the environment and yourself. Also, the hanging herb garden is adorable!
Nadine Geralds says
I didn’t know that there is a special food for plant like the Ecoscraps. But since I know about it just now, I think I want to try out with my plants in my yard like my oregano and chili plants.
Elizabeth Lustre says
I also hate to see tons of food get wasted in every restaurant and in every buffet. It’s a good thing that Ecoscraps is invented by caring people so that we can convert those leftovers into organic composite soils.
Noemi H. says
Aside from upping your cooking game, what I love about having your own herb garden is that it adds a touch of personality to the kitchen. Not to mention that it fills your kitchen with such amazing scents that captivates your senses the moment you step into the room. 🙂
Thanks for the tips, Alaina. I’m definitely gonna try those EcoScraps the next time I drop by Lowe’s.
Ora M says
I really like the fact that it isn’t messy to maintain this DIY indoor hanging garden, Alaina! Your post just gave me some great ideas to improve my messy little kitchen.
Oh, those jars you’ve shown are too cute!!! I absolutely adore them!
Raja Izan says
Hmm.. This Ecoscraps sounds like a really good additive for my plants – and the idea that we can space save by hanging these herbs up with such simple methods is fantastic!
elaine says
“Slowly add more potting soil, packing it firmly around the roots and the base of plant, topping off the jar. Lightly water the plants as soon as they are re-planted” What I think that, no matter what you are working, just like planting, you might write a preparing list and work it done.
Jennifer M says
Since my thumb is NOT green I’d probably need the all purpose food! I’m bookmarking this page too! I’ve been wanting to grow my own spices!
Maury Cheskes says
Sounds like a creative way to take care of and maintain your indoor garden. I never knew about EcoScraps, but I think it’s pretty neat that leftovers from meals can be used again to enrich soil. It sounds like a fun process watching your plants grow and using pebbles and charcoal to sustain the roots.
MChesk says
That’s a wonderful herb garden! Premium for adding the essential ingredients to a healthy meal. It’s good to know that simple materials like EcoScraps can sustain our environment for generations to come.
Jackie says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food.
Thank you!
Stacy says
This is simply beautiful. I will be definitely implementing this into my greenroom!
Myra says
These are some great home improvement ideas. And good thing about it is that a lot of the supplies I already have hanging around the house. This will definitely be my next project!
Meg Karetny says
EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable Food. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
Christy Peeples DuBois says
I need to keep this on hand. I love watching plants/flowers/trees grow and bloom. I would start with the
EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural All Purpose Food.
Anita L says
I would like to try the EcoScraps 1-cu ft Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil
Laura says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food!
Kimberly Matlack says
I would love to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural All Purpose Food (5-5-5) and the Organic Potting Mix.
Tina W says
I want to try the EcoScraps Citrus and Avocado 4-lb Organic/Natural Tree and Shrub Food. Maybe that would help what we lovingly call our “charlie brown orange tree’.
shirley says
Like to try the EcoScraps Fresh Start 4-lb Organic/Natural Flower and Vegetable Food.
Rachel says
I would like to try the EcoScraps 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food.
Jennifer H. says
I would like the EcoScraps Moisture Retaining 32-Quart Organic Potting Mix.
Emily Endrizzi says
I would love to try the EcoScraps Organic/Natural All Purpose Food. I think using it would really help my flowers “blossom”. 🙂
Sarah Mayer says
I would like to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food.
Stacey Roberson says
I want to try the EcoScraps Tomato, Herb and Vegetable 4-lb Organic/Natural Vegetable Food.
Mary Gardner says
I’d like to try the EcoScraps Rose & Flower Organic/Natural Flower Food.
Holly Thomas says
EcoScraps 1-cu ft Organic Flower and Vegetable Garden Soil is what I would like to try.