DIY Portable Fresh Herb Container Garden

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As an Interior Designer, one of the tricks we use to make our design project photos come alive, is to incorporate fresh flowers or live greenery into the home for the photo shoot. This is because we know nothing brings life to a space like real, live plants. Even the most impeccable decor is further enhanced with the addition of a simple, green, living plant. 

Through years of staging and photographing my design projects, I've developed a huge crush on container herb gardens.  They are great for breathing life into a kitchen during the winter months when fresh floral arrangements can be scarce. I use them often for client projects. Making one for myself has been on my bucket list for a while and I finally get to cross it off.  

This little garden was so simple to put together. I love the way looks and I'm excited to cook with fresh herbs that I grew myself. It came together easily using things I already had around the house (clay pots, a serving tray and Modge Podge) and Burpee Home Garden plants that I purchased at my local garden center. 

Before selecting my herb plant varieties, I did a little research at the Burpee Home Gardens website. I chose three plants that require the same amount of light in order to keep all of these little plants happy together in one spot. I then narrowed them down by selecting two herbs that I often cook with (Sage and Oregano) and one that I was sold on after the mention of a delicious summer cocktail (Spearmint).

  

Here are some things I learned about these plants from Burpee Home Gardens...

Spearmint is best harvested as soon as you see it bloom. Use it's flavorful leaves with vegetables and in any summer drink, especially Mojitos. Sage is one of the best garden herbs because when protected, it will grow into a sturdy perennial shrub in most climates. The leaves are best when harvested before or just after blooming. Sage can be used fresh or dried with poultry, sausages, meats and vegetables. Oregano is a versatile culinary herb widely used, most often dried, in Italian dishes, tomato sauce, pizza, fish and salad dressings. Oregano requires little maintenance and makes an excellent edging plant or ground covering, even in dry garden spots. 

Once I had my plants selected, I planted them in cute little clay pots and labeled them. A quick internet search for "free printable plant labels" led me to these black and white printable herb labels at andersruff.com.  If you would like to print these and use them yourself, please click here for the high resolution printable version by Anders Ruff Designs. I printed them out on regular paper, cut them out and used Modge Podge to apply them to the pots. 

Placing all three pots in a large white serving tray not only looks pretty, but makes it easy to move my little garden around. The plants I chose all require full sun. This means during the day they will most likely adorn our patio table. When it's time for dinner or while entertaining,  I'll bring them into the kitchen where the cooking and cocktail mixing will take place.

If you are like me, I need all the help I can get to keep my plants alive. Burpee Home Gardens makes it easy and fun to garden with amazing results. You can click here to learn more about home gardening and to find a store near you.

Another fantastic resource Burpee Home Gardens offers is an official Burpee Garden Coach. You simply visit Burpeecoach.com and send an email there to get access to gardening tips. Now for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card, tell me, what plants will you use to start your own garden?

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to find the perfect summer Mojito recipe...

Leave a comment below for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card!

***This post sponsored by Burpee Home Gardens. I received compensation to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. 

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