How to grow herbs in wooden boxes

Living in the city can rob you off the basics like having a garden, growing fragrant flowers or herbs to have that fresh stock every time you cook. You might kill for a garden or even a homegrown tomato. But it doesn't have to come to that.

Vegetables can thrive in wooden boxes and crates for that matter. Wine boxes look the best. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps and you can have your little garden with homegrown herbs all year round. And what can be better, it's a portable garden.

Now, you can pluck your own vegetables and get addicted to the ease of picking your own herbs and tomatoes and lettuce for a fresh salad.

Waterproof the wooden boxes before you plan on using them. The concept is the same as having a vase. But remember while waterproofing, you don't want to use chemicals on your food containers, so no polyurethane. Some people suggest three coats of Danish oil and metal brackets to brace the corners.

Don't keep the boxes on the floor, have some elevation, maybe a wooden table. You still need to seal the table. You can line the table with a metal sheet if you like. Also, don't forget to drill holes in the table and in the bottom of the crates for drainage, and to lift the crates off the table just a bit, cut wine corks in half and place them underneath.

Now, all you need to do is add soil with manure. To be organic, use organic manure and there, your crates are ready for use. From a local nursery, buy the herbs or plants you want to grow and put it in the wine boxes.

Rome wasn't built in a day, neither are great gardens. It can also be a perfect family project. You can start with vegetables that are easy to grow and maintain. But the bottom line is, grow what you love to eat.

One final tip, consult your local gardener to find out about basic tips about growing herbs and maintaining the plant. Also, find out about timely clipping and when to change the soil or add more manure. You will need help, but the next time you want to make pasta, you know where to get your fresh herbs from. 

Herbs you can grow 

• Coriander 
• Lettuce
• Mint
• Thyme
• Sage
• Basil
• Tomatoes
• Lemon grass