A fresh herb garden can provide your whole family with a unique food experience plus can also be a fun project that everyone can get involved in and stay involved in as the seasons (or your taste buds) evolve.
Growing your herb garden is easy with a few old pieces of pallets, plus a little bit of know-how from your friends from Toolmates.
Repurposing old shipping pallets is one of our favourite things to do here at Toolmates, and this functional, visually appealing and environmentally friendly herb garden does just that and so much more. These days, you don’t need to head out and buy expensive materials to make your DIY garden and landscaping projects, by using a few items you have laying around you can create an awesome outdoor project using pocket change.
So, if you’re keen to get cracking and create your own herb garden from old pallets, here’s what you will need to source before you get started:
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Step 1
nBring your pallet to life
Depending on the size of the pallets, you will need to pull a pallet apart, so you have between 9 – 12 corporal blocks, and 8-10 planks of wood that are in a usable condition. To do this use your hammer and crowbar to slowly pick apart the joints, ensuring you remove all the old nails/screws in the process. Don’t try and rush through this process, take your time as pulling apart a pallet can be tricky, and you don’t want to hurt yourself or leave any rogue nails lying around.
Step 2
nAttach your pallet planks
The next step involves attaching the planks three ‘undercarriages’ of the boxes. To do this, simply flip your pallet over and screw your planks from the dismantled pallet to the three or four sides (depending on your pallet’s configuration) of the supports. So, when you flip your pallet up on its side, it will have between 6 to 8 planter boxes for you to enjoy. Next, it’s onto your nameplates.
Step 3
nCut your nameplates
With your pallet standing upright, you can now see the size and shape of the planter box that you have created. Using your circular or hand saw, cut sections of the remaining boards to size, so you can create name plates for each of the herbs you are going to plant in your creation. You can get a little creative if you want and make them in different shapes or you can stick with the traditional square or rectangular shape to make everything look uniform and hunky dory.
Step 4
nName your plants!
With this done, have the whole family pick a paint brush out and paint a sign of their choice, the more colour, the better. Or, if you don’t have a family and you are looking to add something a little shabby chic to your home, use white or a colour that goes with your house & garden’s theme.
By naming the plants, you can have an understanding of what is growing, what works and of course when you send someone out to pick some herbs they always get the right ones!
Once this is done, attach each of the plates to the corresponding 6 or 8 planter boxes for your family to enjoy. Always remember to do a bit of research before you plant, and ensure you have suitable herbs to suit your space. If you only have a small area, make sure you leave adequate spaces between each herb otherwise your herbs will all become a huge herbie mess.
Step 5
nLine your pouches
With this done you now line each of the planter boxes with the garbage bag to ensure the water is retained in each of the sections giving the herbs the best chance at success. It’s important to line your herb garden properly as this will give your plants the best chance at getting the nourishment it needs to thrive.
Step 6
nFill & plant your herbs
Finally, you are not ready to fill each of the planter boxes with potting mix or soil and plant in your herbs. It is always great to have a combination of those herbs you use most and some that you would like to use – so you can become a little more creative in the kitchen. While it might be tempting to plant every herb known to man, start small to get an idea of how big your herbs are going to grow. Some plants like mint can take over so be sure to cut it back from time to time to ensure it doesn’t stifle the other plants in your garden.
Herbs add a new flavour, taste and aroma to your cooking and through introducing a pallet herb garden to your back yard you can do that same.
Repurposing old pallets again is a great way to recycle and get the whole family involved in an activity – that is away from the TV iPad – and proud to go and collect the ‘greenery’ for cooking anytime.
You can create a big pallet herb garden or a small one, or even amend this idea to suit garden beds or a flowerbed; the choice is yours. By repurposing pallets you can ensure your DIY costs are kept to a minimum, and you’re using all the materials you have laying around.
If you’re looking for a DIY project, ToolMates provides an accessible platform so you can connect with other people in your local area who are willing to lend or borrow the tools you’re not using for a small fee.
Simply log on and create a profile and get your DIY juices flowing with ToolMates. Jump on our website and scroll through all the amazing tools available for hire across Australia now.
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