Plastic Herb Planters
30-45 min
Novice
Ages 5+
What Will You Learn?
Do you have a pile of plastic containers you never use? Put them to work by creating a plastic herb garden paradise. It’s a great way to recycle your plastic, plus it puts fresh herbs at your fingertips.
Select Containers
Step 1
Containers that work best are ones that are solid in color. Clear and translucent containers can grow mold inside, so it’s best to stay away from those. Choose a lid for each container that fits comfortably under the base. This will collect water overflow.
We used all the scrap plastic we could get our hands on for this project: food storage containers, a Frisbee, a small bucket, even a plastic piggy bank. You’ll be surprised at the plastic scrap you can dig up once you start looking.
Drill a Water Drainage Hole
Step 2
Place the scrap wood on a flat surface and center the bottom of your container on the wood. Drill a hole in the bottom center of the container. Make sure that the plastic is flush against the wood, otherwise the plastic can bend and crack.
Plant your Seeds
Step 3
Place several medium-sized rocks in the bottom of the container. This will help the water drain through the pot. Fill the rest of the container with potting soil until it reaches about 1⁄2″ from the top. Place the container atop the lid.
Step 4
Put your seeds or plants into the soil, and then sit back and watch them grow.
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Materials:
- Potting soil
- Herb seeds
- or plants.
- Rocks
- Wood, scrap
- Plastic lids
- to fit under the containers.
- Plastic containers
Tools:
- Drill
- Drill bits
Maker Camp Project Standards
Based on NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
NGSS K-2 Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
- K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
- K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
NGSS 3-5.Engineering Design
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards.- 3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- 3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
- 3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
