7 Brilliant Mason Jar Gardening Ideas

Have you noticed everything just seems to look better in a Mason jar? You really can’t go wrong when you involve the homey, country feel of a shiny, reflective Mason jar. They’ve been indispensible in the kitchen for years, and we’ve determined to take those rustic good looks and use them for several delightful garden projects this season.

Here’s a list of our top seven ways to use Mason jars for the garden:

1. Mason Jar Terrarium

Mason jars can be used to house the most charming terrariums. Create a single terrarium in a jar, or use a collection of five to seven jars in a few staggered sizes for a grouping. Begin with a layer of small pebbles or horticulture charcoal. Cover with a one inch layer of potting soil. Place the roots of a single small plant on the soil. Tuck moss purchased from florist over the roots and around the base of the plant. Keep the plant upright so its leaves don’t touch the walls of the terrarium.

Spritz the plant with two squirts of water, and seal the Mason jar with a lid and a rim. Place your terrarium in bright, indirect light. If too much condensation collects on the walls of your Mason jar, remove the lid for a couple of hours. Here’s a Mason jar terrarium DIY tutorial.

2. Mason Jar Herb Garden

What’s not to love about a Mason jar herb garden that can be enjoyed to your kitchen wall? We can’t think of anything more delightful. To create your own, visit DIY Mason Jar Vertical Herb Garden and learn how one home gardener created a cool mount for her Mason jars.

Make sure to hang your herb garden in a sunny location since herbs are sun loving group of plants. Then, put a layer of pebbles into the base of each Mason jar for drainage. Fill the rest of the jar with potting soil mixed with a cup of sand. Tuck your favorite herb plants into the Mason jars, and water your herbs regularly. As they mature and flourish, snip and trim your herbs to enjoy in recipes to your heart’s content.

3. Mason Jar Garden Lanterns

Add a touch of warmth and glow to your evening garden with Mason jar lights, lanterns, and luminaries. Simply fill a quart sized Mason jar with water to float lighted candles in. Set these along a garden pathway. Or create a centerpiece using a cluster of different sized jars with tea light candles tucked into small pebbles, shells, or sand. Wrap twine around the neck of your Mason jar to create a hanger to hang on branches or garden hooks. You can use battery powered tea lights for a safer, flameless option. And click here to learn how to create a solar Mason jar lantern.

Here’s another cool idea that would look great under a gazebo or set out temporarily for patio decorations.

4. Mason Jar Bird Feeder

Your feathery garden friends will think a Mason jar bird feeder is perfect. Watch this brief tutorial for instructions on how to create an inexpensive and enticing feeder for the birds:

5. Mason Jar Vertical Wall Garden

Much like the Mason jar herb garden idea, create a Mason jar wall garden inside or out for houseplants or any other plants you grow to love. Remember to start with a layer of rock for drainage, and mix your soil according to your specific plants needs. Keep your watering in check. Not too much or too little! Visit this Mason jar wall herb garden for a simple wall mount idea for indoor or outdoor use.

6. Seed Sprouting in Mason Jars

Mason jar seed sprouting is an excellent way to add a healthful, homegrown hand to your diet any time of the year. Simply gather a couple of tablespoons of your favorite sprout seed (alfalfa, bean, and many others). Allow them to soak in one teaspoon of bleach mixed with a cup of water to kill harmful bacteria. Some disagree with this step.

Rinse them off, and allow them to soak in plain water overnight. Place the clean seeds in a Mason jar. Cover the mouth of the jar with cheesecloth or muslin, and tighten the lid to keep the fabric in place. The fabric will allow air to circulate to prevent water condensation.

Rinse and drain your seeds daily. Within a few days, your seeds should be sprouts. Once they are sprouted place them in bright, indirect light to help them become green. Enjoy them in a salad or on your favorite sandwich. Yum! Don’t want to deal with cheesecloth? Check out this Sprouting Jar Strainer Lid to convert a Mason Jar for seed sprouting. (Amazon affiliate link)

7. Rooting Plants in Mason Jars

Rooting plants is easy in Mason jars. Some plants will root in water in a Mason jar set in bright, indirect light. Others will want to go directly into soil to take root. To learn more about plant propagation in Mason jars and which plants need just water versus soil to take root, read Easy Plant Propagation.

In case you’re wondering just where to find the Mason jars to begin these projects, we’ve got some ideas for that too. Mason jars are currently sold new in most grocery stores in the canning section. They still sport their good old-fashioned look. You can often find collections of various shapes and sizes at local thrift stores and garage or estate sales, too.

If you’re looking for true vintage Mason jars, seek them out at flea markets, antique malls, and online. Mason jars range in sizes from around four ounces all the way up to gallon sized. And some of the special edition Mason jars are available in colors, too. There is truly something for everyone when it comes to Mason jars. Whether you use them in the kitchen or in the garden, there is something for everyone to love about the nostalgia of Mason jars.

Creative Commons Flickr photos courtesy of Stacie DaPonte (image 1) and Stacie DaPonte (image 2).

Please note that links to Amazon from Gardening Channel are affiliate links.