With the doldrums of winter in the mix, and the arctic apocalypse upon us, we thought now was as great a time as ever to work on a nice little project for our kitchen window:
A windowsill herb garden.
We have a great little ledge over our sink, but any window in the house will do – and it’s a great science experiment to work on with the kids – they’ve loved watching the little herbs grow. Bonus round: they’ll also get to see how we’ll use them in various ways with our cooking!
Can I get a woot woot for cilantro, anyone? And sage smells just heavenly! We can’t get enough.
We decided to diy a few things with some cement planters, plant markers and painted terra-cotta pots to keep our windowsill stylin’ in the meantime. And today we thought we’d share a little how to if you guys are interested in making some of your own.
This is a great, easy wintertime project that’s fun for the whole family and make great gifts as well. The possibilities are kinda endless!
For the concrete planters you’ll need:
• concrete {any concrete will do + a bucket for mixing} • non stick cooking spray • paint of choice • drop cloth • trowel
• plastic containers for each one, and a smaller plastic container to fit down inside to make the mold for the planter. We used leftover gelato containers, with small plastic cups.
But this is the part where you get to learn from our mistakes: We recommend something made of more flexible plastic like the cheap disposable tupperware containers you can purchase at the grocery. Or even an old plastic cup. {We had a go of it getting our cement out, and it’s because the plastic was hard with no flexibility or give to it}
Gather all your supplies and mix up your concrete per the package directions. Then bust out your non stick spray, and spray the inside of your big container, along with the outside of the smaller one. Cement is messy, {as is cooking spray} so we recommend working on a drop cloth if you’re inside.
Fill the base about halfway full, and press down slowly with your smaller cup or container. It should push the remaining cement to the top, and you can smooth it with your finger around the edges. Try not to press down too far- this will be the inside base of your planter. {Wash your hands immediately}
If it doesn’t fill all the way {there’s a learning curve with your first one and which amounts to use} just add a little at a time on the remaining edges. Make sure your inner container is sitting straight, and set it out to dry.
Because your cement is contained between two plastic containers, allow it to sit for about 48 hours {or maybe longer depending on your weather} just to be safe. If you try to remove it too early, it will crumble.
If you can, gently rotate the inner cup every few hours, while it’s drying. This helps ensure that the smaller cup will not stick to the inside of the mold. After the first 24 hours, you can remove the inner cup, and the cement should be sitting pretty, so it can finish drying nicely.
When it’s good and dry, tip it over and gently work your plastic to get your planter out.
And if it doesn’t work {whoops} a nice little tool like the RYOBI Job Plus should help free it.
When your cement is completely dry, paint it with your paint of choice. I used some gold leaf paint we already had around the house, and a sponge brush for that “dipped” feel.
Helpful hint: We always use disposable brushes with gold leaf paint, because it’s basically the same results as stain – said brush will take hours to clean and ya might as well toss it to save your sanity.
When it’s dry, fill it with a little dirt and watch your herbs of choice grow! Tada! Your own little custom planters.
For those of you who may not feel like taking on the cement thing, we have a painted pot option.
Here’s what you’ll need:
• Painter’s tape • paint of choice + brushes • drop cloth
We coated these plain jane small terra cotta pots from the local home improvement store in white, and when they were dry, taped them off.
Helpful hint: To make decent stripes, tape all the way around in little pieces, layering them together as seen above. {The whole tapering of the planter thing kind of hurts the whole look-at-my-straight-stripes thing.}
We went a little loose with this gold leaf paint {the same that we used above} and had fun with the end results – so no stressing over perfection! Just roll with it, and touch up any major booboos with white.
For the plant markers, you’ll need:
• 18 gauge copper wire • balsa wood • pen of choice • glue • wire cutters • X-Acto blades + knife • cutting mat + ruler
Cut your wire to desired lengths with a wire cutter, and your wood to desired size with your X-Acto.
Loop your wire, shortening it to half it’s length, and make the ends meet evenly. Write on your label, flip it over and adhere the wire to the wood. {We just used a little hot glue.}
Tada! Custom plant markers that would make the cutest gift with those little herb containers… if you ask us.
Fill with herb seeds of your choice + a little dirt… {we placed a few pebbles on the bottom for drainage} and enjoy! It’s like a Chia. But better.
JK. Chias are the bomb and I still want a weird chia-rama garden.
As always let us know if you try it or have any questions! We’d love to hear if you make one!
Have an inspired day!
Kimm at REinvented says
OH my goodness, how I love the combo of cement and gold. After cleaning out my kitchen cupboards, the lazy girls way of course ;), I recently created fun planters out of old ugly logo coffee cups. NOW I want cement, and lots of it. Thanks? đ
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe thanks Kim! So glad you’re doing the LGG with us! Yay for cement! đ I can’t wait to see what you create!
Tania says
Very cute! I have a pretty big window sill ledge in my kitchen too, I think I’ll plant my own herb garden! Thanks for the inspiration! Love your colorful happy kitchen too! :o]
Tania
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks, Tania! đ
Mindy says
I love fresh herbs and grow them outdoors but have yet to try them on a window indoors. Yours are so cute – both pots- that I may be inspired! Looks like a jade plant in the picture; I love mine in the kitchen and have managed to keep it alive for a while now : )
lucia says
Completely un-related, but was wondering what camera/lens you used for these beautiful photos? thanks