How to Make a Water Bottle Herb Garden

Grow your own fresh herbs inside an empty plastic water bottle! This easy water bottle herb garden is a fun way to recycle and learn how plants grow. You only need a few simple supplies to make a small garden for herbs like basil, mint, parsley or cilantro.

Follow the steps below to build your own recycled bottle planter and enjoy fresh herbs right from your windowsill or balcony.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN

• Empty plastic water bottle
• Small lid for seeds
• Small rocks
• Sand
• Scissors
• Potting soil
• Herb seeds (like basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
• Water

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A WATER BOTTLE HERB GARDEN

Step 1: Soak your seeds for about 6 hours in a small lid.

Step 2: Lay your plastic bottle on its side. Use a marker to draw a rectangular outline, then use scissors to cut out the opening. Leave enough space at the bottom to hold soil.

Step 3: Fill 1/3 of the bottle with rocks.

Step 4: Next, add a layer of sand. This will help with drainage.

Step 5: Fill the remaining space with soil. Lightly press it down, but don’t compact it too much.

Step 6: Dig small holes in the soil for your seeds. Place one seed per hole, and cover it back up.

Step 7: Place your bottle garden somewhere that gets four to six hours of sunlight daily (like a window or balcony).

Step 8: Water your garden — but not too much. You want to keep the soil moist, not soggy.

Step 9: Maintain your garden. Rotate the bottle occasionally so the plants can grow evenly. Refill soil or nutrients as needed.

Big creativity with a small price tag! The Scout Life 10 Under 10 series features fun crafts and activities that take less than 10 minutes and $10 to create. Find more 10 Under 10 crafts at go.scoutlife.org/10under10.