There are numerous reasons why you may wish to grow herbs in jars. Glass jars are generally much easier to clean than metal or plastic jars. Additionally, it is easier to maintain the proper humidity levels in glass jars, then it is in other jars. The only disadvantage to growing herbs in jars is if you do not have a support system underneath your plants. This type of jar system will be very strong and difficult for your plants to withstand.
A good drainage system is critical if you are growing herbs in glass jars for your outdoor herb garden. If you are going to use a traditional saucer, you will need to have some sort of drainage system in place. Many people have a hole in their kitchen sink that can be covered with an old sheet and filled with gravel. This works well but can get rather messy.
One of the best ways to avoid messy pots is to have a plan. I always start out my herb gardening by taking a piece of cardboard and filling it with some sand. I have this over the rim of the plant pots. Once the soil is in and the plants are healthy, I cover the sand in dirt.
You may be tempted to use plastic for your herbs. Plastic will not last as long as glass. However, if you are growing herbs primarily for decoration then the difference is not enough to outweigh the time and energy saved by using glass. Plastic does allow you to put your hand inside the jar to pick up the herbs without touching your face.
Chives and dill are two of the more popular herbs. They are easy to grow and yield lovely smelling buds. They are perfect for decorating pots or containers because they look beautiful and have very little care needed. The only maintenance needed is regular removal of the dirt from the top of the plant. You will have to water frequently to keep the roots healthy.
If you are growing herbs for decoration then you will want to include some pots and some hanging baskets for sowing your seeds. Planting seeds in a container is a lot less difficult than planting them in the ground so there is no reason to skip this step. When planting seeds indoors, you must remember that you should always start indoors, about three to four weeks before you are going to flower.
You can use organic soil material when planting your herbs in jars. There is no reason to use synthetic soil materials because they do not provide the nutrients needed for your plants to thrive. Organic soil is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, which is vital for the development of healthy herbs. Sunlight is also essential so be sure to place your plants near a window facing the direction of the sun.
Some of the most common types of herbs you will find in herb jars are basil, mint, sage, chives, dill, tarragon and oregano. Be creative with your growing techniques and include all types of herbs for your garden. Keep an eye on the weather and make sure your herbs don’t go into dormancy during the winter. Also check the moisture level in your soil at least once a week to ensure your herbs do not dry out too much. Keep your plants healthy by checking moisture and making sure your herb plants get enough sunlight.
If you are growing herbs indoors, containers of thyme, Rosemary and basil are all you need. In addition, Rosemary and basil are good growing herbs in terracotta pots and you can even plant them upside down for an added touch of color and adventure. If you have a greenhouse, thyme, Rosemary and basil would make a nice landscape. If your greenhouse is small, plant your herbs in a pot on the floor and you won’t see any dirt at all.
When you plant herbs in jars, you may choose to sow seeds instead of seeds. Sowing young plants directly into the ground of the garden is difficult because young plants are very sensitive to changing temperatures. When you sow young plants directly into the garden, there is more room for the roots to grow. If your seedlings do not get a lot of room, it is probably not a good idea to plant them. Most herbs will do fine sowing as long as you give them some room to grow.
There are many ways to get the seeds started, but one way is to make mason jar garden seeds to plant. These can be purchased from a nursery or seed store. Just purchase the smallest size available so that your plants will have room to grow. Use quart mason jars for this project. Water the seeds just before planting so that they have moisture when they start growing. Remember, seed starting soil is perfect for growing new plants in your kitchen.