Man Upcycles Old Wood Pallets Into A Cute And Simple Outdoor Herb Garden

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The great thing about growing herbs is, it's easy. Many herbs tend to grow like weeds so they are perfect for beginner gardeners and children alike. The downside of growing herbs is... well, they tend to grow like weeds. For this reason, herb container gardening is popular, so the herbs don't take over the whole yard. If you want something cuter than a bunch of potted herbs around your yard, this DIY is for you. In a TikTok video from Joesgarden, we see how Joe upcycles old wood pallets into an adorable outdoor herb garden. This cute and simple project is made with just one pallet to create planter boxes for eight different herbs.

A perfect beginner's project, this one couldn't be easier. It's ideal for people with small spaces or who enjoy patio gardening. All you really need is some weed barrier fabric and a stapler, as well as a hammer and pry bar or Sawzall to remove slats. Eye screws were attached to the back of the planter and to the fence behind it to allow it to be anchored with string. When selecting free pallets, Joe notes on his Instagram to be sure to choose pallets marked HT, which means they are heat treated and safe to use. Pallets marked MB are treated with Methyl Bromide, which is a highly toxic pesticide that you don't want near your herbs, or anything else in your yard.

Joe says to remove every other slat on your wood pallet, and form pockets with the weed fabric by tucking it behind each slat and stapling it to the wood. Fill the pockets with compost and plant your herbs. It doesn't get much easier than that. He painted a strip of back paint on the front of each box and used chalk to write the name of each herb. The sides of the planter are left open and it is anchored to the fence to keep it from tipping. This is important because once filled, the planter can be very heavy.

In the comments, Joe explains that he prefers to make his own compost, but if he must buy it, he chooses a "peat free compost mixed with a little bit of garden soil 70/30." Other tips from his Instagram include using a good wood preservative (you could try something like the Seal It Green garden box armor) on the finished planter, and attaching the removed slats under the remaining slats with wood screws to create an actual planting box. Bright colors can be used on the planters to complement the color scheme of the garden or patio, though you can also keep the wood as is if you prefer an earthy, rustic vibe.

To water, Joe uses a mister bottle and lightly sprays the compost. Most common herbs — like oregano, rosemary, and sage — don't need a lot of water, and fabric pockets will allow excess water to drip down. However, if you make boxes instead, be careful not to overwater your herbs.