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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: jono on April 04, 2010, 16:02:52

Title: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: jono on April 04, 2010, 16:02:52
Hi all,
Just wanted to pick your brains.... I want to make a nice herb tray for the kitchen window ledge, any suggestions what you can use/recycle that looks rustic and nice, I was thinking of a lap tray or an old wooden tray, also where I could get your suggestions from!!
Many thanks
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: Le-y on April 04, 2010, 16:54:16
saw some nice ones in b&q the other day, they were in wicker baskets  my girlfriend uses her old pots (you know the really heavy ones old style ones that look almost like casserole dishes, they look great in the kitchen)
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: PurpleHeather on April 04, 2010, 17:15:35
I remember when Jamie Oliver started he actually had a window box out side his kitchen  sash window and used to open the window to pick a few herbs.

Kitchen window sills can get very hot and the herbs could fry quickly. Those gimmicky herbs growing in pots they do in the supermarket do not survive for long because they are forced.

If you are actually going to use the herbs they are nearly all better off out doors.

If it is just for decoration then just about anything, so long as it is not lead lined, for example, will do. If you are unsure then cut the bottom off a plastic bottle or use one of those plastic supermarket containers which is the right size to fit in so that it won't be seen to act as a barrier. Brass has gone out of fashion so you can often pick up brass dishes fairly cheap on car boot sales.

Brass is easy to clean, soak it overnight in your favourite cola!
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: tonybloke on April 04, 2010, 18:23:36
Quote from: PurpleHeather on April 04, 2010, 17:15:35
Brass has gone out of fashion so you can often pick up brass dishes fairly cheap on car boot sales.

and it's worth about £1.50p a kilo for scrap!! ;)
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: TommyTomato on April 04, 2010, 21:09:28
What about some old metal biscuit tins.....jab some holes in the bottom with a screwdriver and use the lid as water tray....you might even pick some up in an Oxfam or similiar charity shops...
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: Sparkly on April 04, 2010, 21:17:45
It's a good idea. I cycled a mile there and back to the lottie today to get some chives to use with tea!
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: Jeannine on April 05, 2010, 01:09:57
I have  white long window boxes inside in the study that I grow herbs in, it has worked all through the winter but I am finding some have got a bit too big now..bay is fine as is chives and tarragon as they grow up tall  but the sage is taking over. I find the growth falls over the front with some herbs and disguising the basic boxes.XX Jeannine
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: jono on April 12, 2010, 18:32:18
What I really want to go for is a cottage/ country garden rustic look, maybe old wooden wine boxes? Anyone know where these are available from? Or any other suggestions??
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: Spudbash on April 13, 2010, 10:02:54
It's really a matter of snapping up the right container when you see it. Why not visit a car boot sale - you're bound to find something to suit the space you've got.  :)
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: landimad on April 13, 2010, 10:27:18
Jono,

If you are looking for cheap, then visit the local Lush shop and ask if they have any black tubs going spare. That's where I get mine from and they clean up lovely.
Title: Re: Any good suggestions to make a herb tray??
Post by: Mortality on April 13, 2010, 18:28:05
Quote from: jono on April 12, 2010, 18:32:18
What I really want to go for is a cottage/ country garden rustic look, maybe old wooden wine boxes? Anyone know where these are available from? Or any other suggestions??

I got some wooden veg boxes from my local greengrocer.