Discover how to make a basil planter and grow fresh herbs with ease. Our guide covers all you need for a thriving herb garden at home.
Imagine transforming your culinary experiences with a touch of Italy, right in the heart of your condo. That’s what we’re doing!
Ever since we got back from Italy, we’ve been obsessed with basil. We’ve been putting it on everything!
We are making tons of caprese now and adding basil left and right. It’s such a wonderful little herb.
But constantly buying basil can be expensive and we live in a condo – so we don’t have a garden (except for the struggling little one hanging on the porch).
We do, however, have this cool planter that I rescued from the trash a few years ago.
It’s been overlooked since – so we finally decided to put it to good use and plant basil in it!
![How to make a basil planter](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/how-to-make-a-basil-planter.jpg.webp)
Transforming an Ordinary Planter into a Basil Haven
Here is our step-by-step to make a basil planter!
![A photo of the planter before the refurbishment.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9006-683x1024.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the inside of the planter before the refurbishment.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9008-1024x683.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the top of the planter before the refurbishment.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9009-1024x683.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the bottom of the planter before the refurbishment.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9010-1024x683.jpg.webp)
So, we began the makeover by carefully stripping out this lining.
![A photo of the sanded inside of the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9011-1024x683.jpg.webp)
We then sanded down the whole thing using 100-grit sandpaper sheets.
![A photo of the sanded outside of the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9016-1024x683.jpg.webp)
This took a while because we couldn’t use our electric sander since it was all curves. We had to meticulously do it by hand!
![Another photo of the sanded outside of the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9026-683x1024.jpg.webp)
A Lick of Paint
With the planter smoothly sanded, we moved on to painting. We chose a vibrant blue shade that reminded us of the Mediterranean skies.
Spraying the planter with this color brought it to life. It took a couple of coats over two days, but watching the transformation was exciting.
![A photo of the planter being painted.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9030-683x1024.jpg.webp)
The Tricky Barrel Hoops
Then came the most challenging part: the barrel hoops.
These metal rings gave our planter a unique, pirate-ship-like appearance.
We thought about trying to restore them, but they were really in rough shape, so we decided to just paint them gold.
The problem was, we’d already covered them in a layer of blue paint.
As a result, our metallic gold spray paint just wouldn’t stick.
Our solution? We carefully taped off the hoops and sprayed a heap of gold paint onto a paper plate. Using foam brushes, we applied the paint onto the hoops.
![A photo of adding tape to the planter's hoops.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9036-1024x683.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the planter's hoops covered with tape.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9041-683x1024.jpg.webp)
![A photo of gold spray paint being sprayed into a tray.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9048-1024x683.jpg.webp)
![A photo of gold paint being brushed onto the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9049-1024x683.jpg.webp)
This technique worked wonders, giving the hoops a rich, golden sheen that contrasted beautifully with the blue.
![A photo of the finished planter's paint.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9091-1024x683.jpg.webp)
Adding the Pot Filler
Before planting, we prepared the base of the planter. We placed a layer of pot filler and a plastic tray at the bottom.
This was crucial to prevent water from seeping through and damaging the planter’s base – a little trick we learned to extend its life.
![A photo of a man holding up a packet of plant filler.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9094-683x1024.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the plant filler in the bottom of the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9105-1024x683.jpg.webp)
Planting the Herbs
The most rewarding part was finally here – planting our herbs.
We decided to plant both basil and some cilantro – we also do a lot of Asian-inspired dishes.
![A photo of the soil being added to the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9107-1024x683.jpg.webp)
![A photo of the basil plants being planted into the planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9116-1024x683.jpg.webp)
They looked great! The green leaves certainly added life to our newly refurbished planter.
The Finished Planter
Now, our planter sits proudly on our porch, a little piece of Italy right outside our door.
![I Want ALL the Basil - Charleston Crafted](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9118-1024x683.jpg.webp)
It really is nice being able to pick fresh basil whenever we want – we do it all the time!
And it makes us want to have a house so bad – so that we can plant a garden of different herbs!
![A photo of the finished planter.](https://www.charlestoncrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MG_9124-683x1024.jpg.webp)
Sadly, the cilantro burned up outside pretty quickly, so we ended up pulling it out, and it’s now rocking some green onions that are doing great.
Expert Basil Planting Tips
- Easy Planting: Buy small basil plants from the supermarket for planting. It’s much easier than starting from basil seeds.
- Optimal Soil Choice: Use high-quality potting soil for your basil planter, especially when growing basil in pots. This is for better drainage and nutrient absorption.
- Indoor Gardening Success: For growing basil indoors, put your planter in a spot with lots of sunlight. Basil thrives in warm, well-lit environments.
- Frequent Harvesting: Regularly trim basil leaves to encourage bushier growth and more fresh basil production. This method is essential in container gardening, as it helps keep the plant healthy.
- Moisture Management: When planting basil in a pot, ensure consistent moisture without overwatering. Basil prefers slightly moist soil, so a regular, moderate watering schedule is important.
Want More Garden Projects?
See these home how-to garden guides:
- Building Your Own Raised Garden Bed
- Creating a Whimsical Topsy-Turvy Pot Planter
- 17 Creative DIY Ideas for Outdoor Plant Stands
- Crafting a Wooden Tomato Cage for Your Garden
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!