Container Herb Gardening: Fun, Economical, and Doesn't Require Lots of Space

Short on cash? Not a lot of space? Looking for a way to get some fresh herbs into your diet? Think it can't be done? Well, think again...

Container herb gardening can be fun, cheap, and well just plain fun. You can start by scouring the cabinets or recycling bin, and using some items you may already have on hand. Everyday items like yogurt, cottage cheese, chip dip, and snack pudding cup containers can be used to start your seeds in.

The next step, after finding the containers is seeds and dirt. A local farm supply, hardware, or retail store may carry the seed packets. If it is to early in the season your best bet may be online. A few online retailers who carry seeds are Burpee, Park Seed, and Organica seed. I usually buy my seed from my local farm supply store and can not personally vouch for any of those above. They are very well know and popular within the internet communities. The dirt can be found at any local nursery, farm supply, hardware, or retail store as well. Make sure to read the packaging. Some dirt is enhanced with minerals and/or chemicals. If you would like to approach this from an organic way, then these types of dirt will not be a good choice.

After you have decided upon the type of seeds and dirt, you are ready to begin the messy task of starting seeds. If you are working in the house say, at the kitchen table, it might be a good idea to cover your work space with newspaper or a trash bag. This will help keep the mess contained and will be less clean up in the end.

To begin, take your container you have chosen and poke a few small holes in the bottom. This can be done with a nail or push pin. Fill the container with dirt and plant at least three seeds in each container. Set aside. Continue the process until you have achieved the desired amount of containers for each herb chosen. Then water each container and set in a sunny location. Keep an eye out because they will sprout up without warning.