DIY Easy Seed Planters in 5 Steps

I live on the top floor of an apartment building.  You have to be creative when it comes to gardening when the nearest soil is 30 feet below you.  Changing out your soil? Have fun lugging your old and new soil up and down endless flights of stairs.

For the last two summers, I’ve been planting herb starters that I get from my local farmer’s market in my tiny garden balcony.  This time, a friend of mine inspired me to plant my own seeds.  She also gave me some wonderful ball jars that I can transplant a few of my herbs to keep close by indoors.

One week later, and my Thyme sprouted!

5 Steps to Easy DIY Success

Here’s the materials you need:

1. Soil
2. Plastic Bottles
3. Scissors
4. Seeds
5. Wine Corks
6. Nails (or something narrow and pointy)

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose your seeds. I went for herbs that can be easily transplanted into my outdoor balcony garden in a couple of months.

2. Cut out 1/3 of the bottom of a plastic water bottle.  Yeah, I know plastic water bottles are bad for the environment, so at least I’m using them for something that promotes growth.

3.  Poke drainage holes in the bottom.  If your planter doesn’t drain, you may end up with excess moisture that will kill your plants.

4.  Make your labels! I used wine corks with some nails I had lying around. I stamped the first letter or two of the plants on the tops of each so I knew which one was which before they sprout.

5. Fill in your new planters with soil and plant your seeds! Make sure you arrange your planters near a good light source according to the plant sun/shade guidelines.