Why buy a planter box for herbs when you can build one yourself? You don’t even need fancy materials for it—your tool shed should have you covered.
Having a handy herbaceous box will help you to spruce up your culinary skills. Think fancy sauces, toppings, and salad dressings. It will also help you to up your landscaping game, to say nothing of the wonderful fragrances wafting through the air year-round.
Tempted already? In this post, we’ll show you how to build a planter box for herbs and give you some easy-breezy DIY herb box ideas that you can take inspiration from.
We’ve also answered some FAQs to make it easier for you to get started. Read on!
Up your gardening game with fragrant, herb-filled planter boxes. Credit: Shutterstock
Build a herb planter box step by step
Start by measuring and cutting your material of choice into any size you think fit. Try to avoid making the planter too large as that will make it heavy and unwieldy.
Next, assemble the pieces using glue and nails. Add the finishing touches to your planter and paint it. Your planter box is now ready to hold some rosemary, basil, and mint!
Let’s take a closer look at each step for building a herb planter box.
Step 1 – Prepare your tools
Bring out all the supplies you’ll need. This way, you won’t have to rummage around the tool shed halfway through for something you missed.
You’ll need:
- Planter box material (like wood, metal, fibreglass, or PVC boards)
- Measuring tape
- Glue, nails, and clamps
- Hammer, saw, and drill
- Primer and paint
Step 2 – Measure and cut the material
Next, measure the dimensions of the material. You will have to divide it into five pieces: four sides and one bottom. Mark the sizes with a pen or chalk.
Then begin cutting. Wood, fibreglass, and PVC boards are easy to cut. If you’re working with a metal sheet, use a circular saw to cut it.
Tip: Most herbs grow well in containers that are 4 to 6 inches deep, so make sure your planter box is at least that deep.
Step 3 – Assemble the herb planter
Begin with the bottom piece. Apply strong glue to each side and stick the rest of the pieces to it. When working with metal, use adhesives like epoxy, super glues, or polyurethane.
The glue will take time to dry. You’ll need to clamp the sides so the frame stays in place.
Meanwhile, you can drill nails into the joints. This will give extra strength to your planter box.
Step 4 – Add the finishing touches
Once you have assembled the box, sand the rough edges, and clean any extra glue that’s peeping from the joints. You can also add shelves or sections inside the box if you want.
Step 5 – Drill drainage holes
Don’t forget to drill some holes for drainage. This will ensure your herbs are well hydrated but not overwatered.
Step 6 – Prime, paint, or stain
When you’ve finished, you can prime and paint your planter box. If you’re thinking about skipping this step, keep in mind that a painted herb planter box will be better prepared to face the elements.
Apply a layer of primer and leave it to dry before painting it. You can also polish your wooden box with an outdoor stain for a nice, rustic look.
Tip: Make labels for your herb planter box or carefully paint the names on the box so you know which herbs grow where.
Step 7 – Add soil and herbs
This is the final step. Start by lining your planter with a plastic sheet or landscape fabric. It doesn’t have to be done neatly since you’re going to fill it with potting soil next.
Your planter box is ready, and you can begin planting it with herbs. Make it a basil box or fill it with an assortment of herbs like rosemary, dill, mint, and more. Your choice, really!
More on This: Easy Indoor Herb Garden Ideas and Tips
Herb planter box DIY ideas
Fresh mint, sage, rosemary, dill…nothing brightens up a dish like ready-to-use herbs. While you can always refrigerate store-bought herbs, why not grow some fresh ones in your container? Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Outdoor herb planter box
Create a herb garden in a planter box for a constant supply of fresh seasoning.
You don’t need a sweeping kitchen garden to grow herbs. Your outdoor herb planter box is more than enough. Growing herbs is more convenient and takes less work than growing vegetables.
Install the planter outside on a fence or put it in a sheltered position where it gets enough sun. Just make sure that the planter box is primed and painted to brave the elements.
2. Indoor herb planter box
Bring fragrant greenery into your home with an indoor herb planter box. Credit: Shutterstock
An indoor herb planter can fit anywhere—on your kitchen worktop, a sunny windowsill, or even a vacant tabletop.
Indoor herb planters will add greenery to your space. More than a functional item, it can become part of the décor. Plus, fresh herbs will make your indoors smell like a meadow.
3. Mixed herb container
Group different herbs together for maximum impact. Credit: Shutterstock
You can also experiment with different herbs in one planter. Plant some dill, parsley, sage, and thyme. Just make sure the container is big enough to hold them all.
You can also make labels for each of the herbs you grow so when the seeds mature, you know what to expect where.
4. Mini herb box
Plant up mini herb boxes if you’re short on space. Credit: Shutterstock
A mini herb planter box is a cute and effortless addition to any space. Since herbs don’t need a lot of space to grow, mini herb boxes are perfect for small rooms or apartments.
Plant different herbs in each of your mini boxes. Since they’re lightweight, your mini herb boxes will also be super portable.
5. Wall herb garden
Hang herb planter boxes on a wall in a sunny spot. Credit: Shutterstock
You can also use an empty wall of your house to hold your herb garden. Simply mount your planter box to the wall and start planting.
With a wall herb garden, you’ll have more than freshly picked herbs. You’ll also have a living piece of art growing on your walls.
FAQs
From building a herb planter box the easy way to making it last longer, here are solutions to some frequently asked questions about planter boxes for herbs:
How to build a herb garden planter box cheaply
Looking to build an inexpensive herb garden planter? Follow these tips:
- Turn old and useless containers like buckets, mason jars, and vintage chests into herb planter boxes.
- Use common building materials from your tool shed instead of buying fancier, expensive ones.
- Upcycle scrap wooden pallets into a tiered herb garden.
- Use your old galvanised washtub to hold your herbs.
How to make a herb garden planter box the easy way
To make a planter box the easy way, follow these steps:
- First, choose a container. Look for a wooden drawer you no longer need, a metal can, or a wine crate.
- Next, clean and prepare it for planting. Sand the surface, wipe off rust or tarnish, and remove any peeling paint.
- Repaint the surface for a fresh look.
- Your herb planter box is ready and you can start planting it. It’s that easy.
How to make a herb planter box last longer
Your herb planter box can look a little worn out after a few years. But don’t worry. Here are a few tips and tricks to make it last longer.
- Use PVC boards or metal sheets to make your planter. These are more durable than wood.
- If you love the look of wood, make sure it’s seasoned. Also, choose hardwood like teak and cedar over softwood.
- Line the inside of your planter box with plastic. It will keep mould from growing on the surface.
- Build a raised planter box. Keeping it 10” to 12” from the ground will extend its life.
Herbs for health
Herbs in a planter box will add a pop of green to your space. You can also use them in your dishes to add fragrance and seasoning. But there’s more to herbs than that, they also have several health benefits.
Sage can help improve your memory and brain function, whilst eating basil leaves or adding some to your tea can help boost immunity.
If the pollen season is your biggest enemy, rosemary is your friend. It will help suppress allergies and nasal congestion. You can also pluck some mint leaves to improve digestion and treat irritable bowel syndrome.
In other words, your herb planter is a medicine box. So, make sure to care for your herbs. They will care for you in return.
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