Green Thumb in the Kitchen | Tips for Bringing Your Garden Inside

Sophie Duvall

Fresh food is good for the body and the soul ... literally. And as spring arrives, it’s time to get back on track of taking care of ourselves and our loved ones. What better way to do so than with homegrown herbs, vegetables, and fruits? Whether you live in an apartment, a townhome, or a house, here are some simple ways to bring your green thumb into the kitchen.

Pro tip: No matter what space you’re working with, set your plants up for success with good soil and plant food. This will help increase yield and quality and ensure your garden flourishes.

Apartment

If you live in an apartment, you need to be able to maximize your space. A mason jar wall garden is the perfect way to grow your fresh herbs while simultaneously adding to your décor. All you need is a cool piece of wood, some pipe clamps, and a few nails.

Pro tip: Since mason jars don’t have holes at the bottom for drainage, and you don’t want water running all over your place, water with caution. Place stones or rocks at the bottom of the jars so the water sits there, and not in the soil.

Condo/Townhome

In a condo or townhome, where you have a little more room to grow your garden, a ladder planter is a great option. You can build the planter to fit your space, make it tall or short, make it lean or stand upright, paint it any color under the sun, the possibilities are uniquely your own. This project may require an extra visit to the hardware store, but the finished product is worth the effort. Check out this step-by-step guide for beginners from Ana White.

Pro tip: If you don’t have power tools, and don’t want to buy any, you can rent them from Home Depot or your local hardware store.

House

A pallet planter is a fun project for the home that you can get the whole family behind. Keep it simple by nailing pipe clamps to the front of the pallet to hold terra cotta pots with your favorite herbs and fruits. Or, staple landscape fabric to one side of the pallet, fill the openings with soil, and place your plants directly into the pallet. This weekend project can be as involved as you want it to be.

Pro tip: If you want to place your plants directly into the pallet, do it outside with the pallet laying horizontally for a few weeks so the plants can grow firmly into it before standing it upright.