10 Hacks to Growing Your Own Indoor Garden

Everybody loves fresh herbs but for a lot of us, we just don’t have the space for an outdoor garden. Luckily, we’ve got 10 alternative ways you can sprout and maintain your herb garden using things that you already have at home.

1. Transform an old egg carton into a seedling for your new plant

Instead of immediately throwing out that six or twelve-count egg carton, use it to jumpstart your gardening hobby and officially adopt a green thumb. Fill each pocket with a little bit of soil, then the seeds, and add more soil on top of that. Water, wait and repeat. Before you know it, your baby herbs will start to sprout, and as a new plant parent, you can pat yourself on the back for doing such a great job raising the little guys.

2. Don’t forget about your compost!

Take advantage of reusing compost and continuing the circle of life. Gut your used lemon halves, leaving behind just the rind, and repeat the above steps (soil, seeds, water, and wait). You can also use eggshells (if they are still in good condition, of course) and begin the seedling process that way. Egg shells bring a lot of benefits to the healthy growth of plants as well, so it’s a win, win.

3. Reuse herb bits to produce new strong roots

Just before you use the last of your basil, onion, or celery, save a bit to start another thriving plant. Herb cutting helps to reduce waste, creates new harvest, and guarantees fresh and organic produce made with love. Additionally, try freezing your herbs in ice trays, filling the remaining space with olive oil to keep them fresh in the off season, so you’re never without.

4. Leftover popsicle sticks double as garden markers

Finish your popsicle, but keep the stick. As a new garden enthusiast, stay organized with which crops are growing by customizing popsicle sticks with the names of each herb/veggie. These are forever reusable and work across the board from seedling trays to planters.

5. Give your paper towels a job worth having, as a self-irrigation system

For the modern lady, who can’t for the life of her remember to water her plants regularly. Roll up some paper towels in a rope style fashion, line your plant and place the other end of the paper towel in a full glass of water. This is an easy way to keep the soil moist when tending to your precious herbs slips your mind.

6. Makeshift a watering can from an empty gallon jug

If we’re not recycling, we’re reusing! Poke holes in the cap of the jug, big enough for an easy flow for when you do remember to water your mini garden. You can also cut the jug into strips and use those as your garden markers if popsicle sticks aren’t readily accessible.

7. Use toilet paper rolls to make medium sized planters

When your babies are too big for the seedling and need to be transplanted, take a toilet paper roll and cut four to six slits on one end, folding the sides down so that they overlap and seal. Place the finished planter on a level surface and insert your growing herb, filling the empty space with more soil so the roots can expand in their new home.

8. Upgrade your planters to hold more herbs using a shower caddy or hanging shoe organizer

Once you’ve mastered maintaining smaller planters, raise the bar with a felt lined shower caddy (easy to breathe material that naturally stays moist when water is applied), and fill with soil/seed mix. Or, utilize your old hanging shoe organizer, which deep pockets give ample room for root growth. Prevent annoying pools of water that may accumulate from your baby herbs by placing a trough planter to catch drips and a piece of wood as long as the width of the organizer to keep pockets away from the wall.

9. Coffee filters help with leak prevention

Tired of watering your plants and seeing excess water spill from the bottom? Line your planter with a coffee filter to slow leakage and aid in keeping the soil moist in between watering.

10. Feed your soil coffee grounds

Used (and fresh) coffee grounds are super beneficial to plants. It enriches the soil and keeps critters away, giving it the best opportunity to flourish. Plus, you’ll look like you really know what you’re doing with this gardening thing. Hack it till you make it, right? I’m sure someone says that.

If you’re looking for more hacks to reusing veggies and herbs, check out the video below!