Our vegetable garden is located a few acres from the house. Wanting to have a small herb garden closer to the patio, grill and kitchen and inspired by so many vertical pallet planters, Mr. DIY and I created a free standing (moveable) vertical pallet herb garden.

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Materials:

(if referring to our tutorial for your own project, completely read through what we did as I recommend some changes to our experience)

• Kiln-dried pallet in good shape
• Scrap 1×4 wood
• Scrap block 4×4 wood
• Scrap 2×4 wood
• Nails
• Wheel and hardware/screws to attach (This is what we used but read below! I do not recommend attaching a wheel but creating 2 bottom supports using 2 4×4 blocks and scrap wood instead).
• Wood stain
• Protective clear coat
• Staples
• Fabric weed barrier
• Potting soil
• Herbs

Here is what we did:

1. We have plenty of pallets stacked around here and chose a kiln-dried one, marked with “HT” (heat-treated and less likely chemically treated) and gave it a good scrubbing with bleach as well.

2. We removed a three of the horizontal boards from one side with a pry bar to create a larger space for working and tall growing herbs.

3. Then sanded down the splinters, rough edges and hammered down all of the nails.

4. We added a piece of scrap wood to the bottom of one side (1×4) to create a ‘shelf” type surface to attach a caster/wheel. Inserting the 1×4 took some playing around (prying up one of the pallet boards to squeeze it into place.

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5. The other side of the bottom got a 4×4 block (double check for leveling with the wheel side) and a miter-cut scrap 2×4 for support. (If I had to do over, I would skip the wheel and use a 4×4 block and mitered 2×4 on both sides since the wheel is convenient but the vertical height makes it unsteady.

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6. One to two people can easily move the herb pallet garden with the supports only and without the wheel. Our original plan was to also attach a handle to the one side (for tipping and wheeling around however kiln dried pallet wood is VERY dense and our screws just kept breaking off…so, no handle for now). I do NOT recommend attaching a wheel. I recommend creating support on both bottom sides. 

7. Next I stained the pallet using Rustoleum’s Wood Stain (Kona), wiping away after applying. I let it dry and cure for a few days (although Rustoleum’s stain dries in about one hour).

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8. I moved the pallet outside and gave it a spray of protective clear coat.

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9. Once that was dry, I used junk mail/newspaper to create a pattern, including room for folding the fabric edge under and the sides of the pocket. Then used my pattern to cut the fabric weed barrier to size. 

10. I folded under the edges and stapled the fabric weed barrier into place between the pallet boards to create a pocket.

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11. Corners were tricky…do what works for you. I can’t explain my complicated folding technique. I think I got a little staple-happy.

12. I just kept cutting and stapling the fabric weed barrier into place. My pallet has 12 planting pockets. All done!

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I’ve started some herbs from seed, but I purchased these already started herbs from Lowe’s to fill it up. Instant fresh herbs! Hurray! I planted:

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• basil
• parsley
• rosemary
• dill
• oregano
• thyme
• peppermint
• chocolate mint
• spearmint
• tarragon
• lavender
• another type of spicy globe basil

Next I moved it into place. Unfortunately our patio is getting a little crowded so rather than have it free standing/showing both back and front, up next to the patio swing seemed to be the best location. (Until I rearrange…you know how I love to move things around!)

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Again, I’d recommend support on both ends instead of the wheel. It’s unsteady with the one wheel/one person. Live and learn and DIY experimenting. It’s easy enough, even planted, for one person to move without the wheel. I think two side supports is a better option. It’s also two sided. It’s perfect for creating a border on a patio. Great for small spaces too!

Doesn’t it look amazing?! I looooove it!

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We spend most of our time on the patio on pretty days…I love the fresh herbal scents too!

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And having fresh herbs right off of the kitchen is so convenient.

Whatcha think?

More outdoor projects:

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This post is sponsored by my Young Living business! Check out my essential oils page for more information on how you can get these amazing oils in your hands too along with helpful freebies, a gift from me, and tons of support:

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