March— the month where spring greets us and the itch for warmer weather and longer days is almost unbearable. Nothing says spring quite like fragrant flowers and fresh food. In Colorado, growing seasons are shorter and the ground is dryer. This doesn’t make gardening impossible by any means, but if you’re a novice looking for an easy project, this is just the how-to for you. Mason Jar herb gardens can be made with four simple ingredients and minimal care. They are the perfect science project to do at home with the kiddos while providing rich flavor and classy garnishes to any dish. There are a plethora of herbs to choose from! Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Thyme, Rosemary, and Chives are some of the seeds that work well in an indoor environment.
- Gather Materials: You will need mason jars (at least 4 inches deep), small stones or pebbles, organic potting soil, seeds of your choice, and something to label your herbs with.
- Place Pebbles: Put pebbles, rocks, or even marbles two inches deep into each mason jar. Because the jars don’t have drainage, this prevents excess water from damaging roots.
- Fill with Soil: Fill each jar with lightly packed potting soil 1-2 inches below the jar’s rim. Be sure not to press too hard— it needs to be loose in order for water and nutrients to reach the roots once the herbs start to grow!
- Sprinkle in Seeds: For the best results, follow the instructions on the seed package. Try to focus on sprinkling the seeds in the middle of the jar so that the jar’s rim won’t stunt the herb’s growth later in the process. Cover with an inch or so of additional potting mix.
- Label the Jars: find a creative way to mark the jars so that you don’t forget which herb is which! Writing on the jars with Sharpie, creating 'name-tags', or tying the labels to the jar with twine are all great options.
- Water, Maintain, and Wait: Place the herbs where they can get plenty of sunlight. Water every day or every other day to start. Once the herbs begin to sprout, they only need enough water to dampen the uppermost layer of the soil. Wait until the soil is dry before watering them again.
