Vertical Herb Garden - Reclaimed Fence Gate DIY

Found this gate on the side of the road.  Yep, I'm officially a picker.  Well technically Jimi picked it up for me so that makes me feel a little better.  Anyways, one morning the baby was going NUTS so I popped him in the stroller and we went for a little walk.  Found this bad lad lying down for trash pick up looking great and full of potential.  So I scurried home sleeping baby in tow to wake up the hubsicle to go scoop it up for me.

Jimi thought it was total junk.  That was a challenge.  I knew I could turn it into something great and when I came across the idea for a vertical shoe rack herb garden I knew it would be perfect!

Painted a design with acrylic paint.

Had to do some research on the different herbs since this is the first real gardening project I have ever tried to tackle.  I didn't want it to be for nothing.  Most like full sun but some like partial shade so those found a home on the bottom of the shoe rack.  Also, herbs don't like to sit in soaking wet soil so be sure to poke a few holes in the bottom of the rack.  Use a potting soil like miracle grow.  I used some plants from the nursery and sowed seeds directly in some pockets.  Just experiment to find whatever works.  Craft stick labels helped me to organize the placement.  You could use thrift store spoons or be creative whatever you have or can find lying around the house is great.  I may even paint in white on the actual pockets when I know who goes where and they have permanent homes.

These pots you soak in water then break apart the bottom and throw 'em right in!

Finished!

I screwed on curtain pulls found at a thrift store for 50 cents each.  I just flipped those up and put a piece of wood I had left over from my reclaimed wood landscape.  The shoe rack hangs nicely on it.

For the seeds you fill almost an inch to the top with potting or seed starting soil, sow seeds, then fill with 1/4" more.  Herbs need watered every day and I put them in a spot where the get lots of morning sun.  They have been up for a week or so and all of the seeds have sprouted seedlings and the plants are thriving.  Make sure to trim early and often as well, taking the little leaves not the big ones off.  I have already used them in a few dishes I've made.  Just a thyme or two.  :)