Do you have a green thumb but live in an apartment with no outdoor space? Or are you just looking for an easy and convenient way to garden? If so, consider growing plants in a Mason jar! With a little bit of know-how, you can create a beautiful and productive garden right on your kitchen counter.
Mason jars are a popular plant container because they are effortless to maintain. You can grow many plants in a Mason jar. They are not just limited to corn, though. You can grow edibles like fruits and vegetables. With proper care and the right plants, you can grow flowers and herbs in jars. This blog will discuss how to start filling your garden with Mason Jar plants.
What is a Mason Jar?
A Mason jar is a type of jar made out of glass and has a metal lid. It is named after the Mason jar company, which first produced it in 1858. Mason jars are often used to store food.
But what about using Mason jars for plants? Are they suitable for growing plants such as herbs? The answer is yes! Mason jars make great herb gardens because they are easy to use, portable, and inexpensive.
Herbs are a suitable type of plant to grow in a Mason jar because they do not need much space and can be easily accessed.
What Plants Can You Grow in a Mason Jar?
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Herbs
Herbs are the most frequent and possibly simple plants to grow in a mason jar. However, starting herb seeds in mason jars is not recommended. The seed-starting method differs significantly from the usual growth maintenance process, and mason jars aren’t ideal for seed-starting. In case of mis-watering, drought-tolerant herbs like lavender, sage, and thyme are advised for growing in mason jars, but you may grow almost any herb in a mason jar as long as you’re not beginning them from seeds.
Because herb roots develop somewhat more prominent than their top growth, you’ll want to make sure the mason jars you’re using have adequate room for root growth. If you’re using a smaller mason jar, transfer them to a larger one when they’ve grown large enough. Another way to minimize over-watering is to place stones or pottery shards in the bottom of the jar before adding the soil. It’s your decision!
The following herbs are the most appropriate to grow in a mason jar:
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Thyme
- Sage
- Lavender
- Parsley
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Succulents
Succulents are perfect for terrarium planting since they require little maintenance. A terrarium can be made in a single mason jar or a collection of mason jars. Terrariums are fantastic since they require very little maintenance and management.
You can add a variety of succulents to your terrarium to make it more interesting. Fill the bottom of your terrarium with stones or rocks, then fill with potting soil and plants. Seal the mason jar with a few drops of water.
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Cacti
Cacti can also be cultivated in mason jars because they are low-maintenance. You may also put them in terrariums or keep them alone in a mason jar. These are great to have around the house and can last for years.
How to Grow Herbs in a Mason Jar?
It is not suggested that you start your jar of herbs from seeds in a Mason jar. When planting herbs in canning jars, such as the plants for herb jars indicated above, using transplants is a safer bet. Herbs have somewhat larger roots than their top growth, so choose a jar that will accommodate this. It’s best to use drought-tolerant plants if you forget to water them, and trailing herbs like thyme look great in the glass jar.
The next step is to drill a few holes in the Mason jar to provide adequate drainage for your herbs in canning jars. Wear safety glasses and gloves for this stage because it can be deadly. Cover the jar with cutting oil and a diamond cutting drill bit. To avoid breakage, apply consistent pressure and drill slowly. Make numerous 1/8 to 14 inch (.3 to.6 cm) holes in the Mason jar. To increase drainage and give visual appeal to your Mason jar herb garden, fill the bottom of the jar with broken pottery shards, colored stones, or the like.
If you don’t have a drill or are afraid to use it on glass, fill the bottom with an inch (2.5 cm) or two of stones, marbles, pottery bits, or anything else you have on hand to keep the roots from getting too moist and decaying.
Fill the jar to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the jar’s edge with a packaged potting mix or your mix of equal parts sphagnum peat, compost, and sand. Fertilizer can be mixed into the soil medium now, or a soluble fertilizer can be used after planting.
Plant the transplanted herbs so that the root ball is level with or slightly below the potting media’s surface. Wet the potting medium with a little warm water before adding it to the jar, covering the tallest transplant root ball so that its top surface is 34 inches (1.9 cm) below the container’s rim. Thoroughly water the Mason jar herb garden.
Allow excess water to drain in the sink or a shallow tray before storing the herbs in canning jars in a sunny location with at least six hours of sunlight every day. Keep the herbs jar damp but not wet. Replace the jars with new transplants as the plants outgrow them, then move the larger herbs into larger pots.
Why should you grow plants in mason jars?
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You can enjoy fresh organic vegetables.
With the exception of the winter, when the weather is normally rather severe for growing food, growing plants in glass jars allows you to have fresh organic vegetables all year.
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You can save money.
You will save money on your electric bill because plants grow better under less direct sunshine.
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You can have fresher and more nutritious food.
You have the advantage of having fresher and more nutritious foods because you have control over the plants you put into your plants rather than relying on what the product in the produce aisle at the grocery store claims is the best for you.
You can also put the plants in the freezer to keep them warm until you’re ready to harvest them when they start to wilt.
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Flexible
It’s a fantastic approach to grow plants in glass jars without changing the way they grow or how they appear in their containers.
You can plant them at any time of year without fear of them drying out or becoming too moist.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, growing plants in a Mason jar can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is a great way to recycle old jars and enjoy fresh herbs or flowers in your home. With a little bit of care and attention, your plants will thrive in their new environment. So get started today and see what you can grow!
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