Living Life Frame By Frame: Mason Jar Herb Garden

I saw this idea on Pinterest & thought I would give it a try. The supplies needed are: mason jars, chalkboard paint, masking tape, terra cotta pots, a hammer, earth & herbs. I bought 6 mason jars @ Value Village for $1.99. I also picked up two terra cotta pots with saucers for .99 each. I already had masking tape. I bought the chalkboard paint in a spray can..it was $5.49 @ Canadian Tire. I took a clean mason jar and taped off a spot to spray my chalkboard paint. I put a label on the jar, taped around it and then removed the label and sprayed the paint on. To tell you the truth, I didn't like working with the chalkboard paint. It runs pretty easily and seemed to be more hassle than anything. I then went on and tried spraying some chalkboard paint on some small plastic garden markers that I already had (dollar store)..again, not pleased with how it turned out and they are not easy to write on..not going to use them. So....if you aren't using any chalkboard paint, you just bust up the terra cotta pot with a hammer (fold it inside a newspaper so none of it flies at you), you will be left with chunks of terra cotta. Put a few in the bottom of the mason jar...as many as you like. I would say maybe four or five chunks. Fill the mason jar up over half way and then add your plant, fill in around it with more earth. Water the plant.

*the reason you use the terra cotta in the mason jar is for drainage and also the pieces will hold moisture and release it back into the soil, keeping it moist. Just place the jar in a sunny window, place it outside when the weather is warm (if you want to) I think it makes a hardier plant when it goes outside. Some folks grow indoor herbs all year long. Anyway, I am pleased with the finished product even though I wasted money on chalkboard paint. I will just have to use it for another project. PS: I ended up using my previously purchased garden markers (dollar store) and wrote on them with a permanent black marker - easy peasy!!

*Also...you could grow your own herbs making this more economical but I purchased these Valley Grown Herbs that look really healthy @ 3.29 each. I know you can get them cheaper, but I like nice, healthy, hardy looking ones.