Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

How to DIY Your Own Patio Herb Garden

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 07/18/2021

Do you dream of growing your own herbs but only have a tiny outdoor space? The good news is that it’s possible to have a thriving herb garden on your small porch or patio. With the right lighting and temperatures, you can grow a plethora of fresh herbs to use in your cooking or other projects. Here we’ll go over some of the best ways to DIY your own patio herb garden:

Hang Out

Hanging planters are a smart way to make use of the vertical space you have on your patio. You can either hang planters from wall brackets or from a ceiling overhang if available. There are many styles and designs for hanging planters available and many of them you can DIY easily. Try macrame plant hangers with space for multiple small pots. You can also opt for miniature hanging shelves built with wooden planks and rope to hold multiple pots. With the many tutorials available for crafty gardeners, you will find the best option for a DIY herb garden.

Think Vertical

An extremely popular and simple way to plant many individual herbs while saving space is to use a plant wall system. These come in a variety of styles but the basic idea is easy to mimic with tools and materials you might already have. Using a trellis as your base for hanging individual plants is one way to get started. You can also repurpose cloth shoe hangers or metal shower caddies to hang against the wall. You’ll be able to fit many herbs while saving precious floor space. It will also create a visually pleasing work of functional art by covering a wall with fragrant greenery.

Try a Multi-Section Planter

A simple and convenient solution to a patio herb garden is to use what many call an herb planter or sectional planter. These are basically regular box shaped planters with individual sections to plant herbs without them trying to compete for nutrients or root space. You can purchase these herb planters ready-made or you can create one out of your choice of container. Anything from simple wooden boxes to large metal tubs will work perfectly once you add simple plywood partitions and drainage holes.

Important Things to Consider

While it’s possible to grow many herbs in a small space, some of them have very specific light and water requirements. Before setting up your herb garden, make a note of how much sunlight your patio gets during the day and plan to place your herbs accordingly. Also consider the difference in watering needs. For drought-tolerant herbs, go with sage, rosemary, thyme and oregano. Group together the thirstier plants like basil, cilantro and tarragon. This will not only help the plants stay healthy, but make your care routine much easier and more efficient.

Along with these suggestions, it’s important to research your plants carefully to know how best to care for them. Use these DIY ideas as a guide to create your own successful and thriving patio herb garden even in the smallest of spaces.

About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.