Want a bit of green in your life? A mason jar indoor herb garden could be perfect. It’s a great activity for loved ones living with dementia and caregivers. It’s simple, easy to do, cheap and is the perfect activity for elderly or seniors with limited mobility and those who can no longer manage traditional outdoor gardening.
This article will guide you through the simple process of making a mason jar indoor herb garden, highlighting the steps, and tips for creating a dementia friendly indoor gardening space.
Why We Created Our Herb Garden
Gardening has such therapeutic effects but sometimes, we can’t always get out into the garden (the weather here is atrocious!) but also you may have mobility issues or be concerned about a risk of falls etc. But nature can be brought indoors through simple activities like creating a simple mason jar herb garden. We wanted to provide an enriching activity that would not only brighten up our living space, could be used in cooking but also serve as a physical therapeutic outlet.
Why This Activity Works for Caregivers and Loved Ones
They’re easy to make, need little space, and are fun to do. We began with herbs like basil, mint, and chives. These easy to grow plants smell nice and leave a scent when touched! Gardening has been shown to be a great way for those with dementia or cognitive impairments to engage their senses and memories. Caring for plants can help trigger memories associated with gardening, cooking, or family gatherings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Your Mason Jar Herb Garden
What You’ll Need
Gather the following materials before you begin:
- Mason jars (3-4 depending on how many types of herbs you want to plant)
- Potting soil
- Herb seeds (basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, or any preferred herbs)
- Small rocks (for drainage)
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Plant Markers or Labels (for the jar)
- Spoon or small shovel (for soil distribution)
- Sunlight (a sunny windowsill or outdoor area)
- Gardening gloves
Prepare Your Space
- Clear a comfortable work area
- Lay out newspaper or a plastic tablecloth
- Place all supplies within easy reach
- Ensure good lighting and comfortable seating
- Decant the potting soil from the bag into smaller containers to make it easier to handle and spray it with some water to reduce dust inhalation etc
- Always wear gloves and avoid hand to mouth contact after handling the soil
Planting
- Prepare Your Jars: Begin by washing your mason jars thoroughly to ensure they are clean. This helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Add Drainage Rocks: Place a layer of small rocks at the bottom of each jar. This will allow excess water to drain out, preventing root rot.
- Fill with Soil: Carefully add potting soil to each jar, fill each jar 2/3 full to leave room for seeds and watering.
- Plant Your Seeds: Plant the seeds according to seed packet info and cover lightly with soil
- Label Your Plants: Using your labels, mark each type of herb so you can easily identify them as they grow. Decorate the jars with whatever you have or paint the jars to make them more decorative (but be aware, the great thing about these jars is you can see the roots grow)
- Water and Position: Gently water each jar with a watering can or spray bottle (moist but not soggy). Place the jars on a sunny windowsill and water as necessary. Sprouts will generally appear after 5 -10 days but depending on the seeds, they may sprout earlier!
To Keep Your DIY Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden Healthy
- Use pebbles or stones at the bottom of each jar for drainage
- Add activated horticultural charcoal before the soil to help with drainage and prevent fungus or root rot
- Choose easy herbs like basil, coriander, and dill for best results
- Don’t over water – water and fertilise according to each plant’s needs
Tips to Make It Work for You
- Wheelchair Friendly gardening – It’s easy to make your mason jar indoor herb garden wheelchair-friendly. Just put the jars on a low table or windowsill. This makes it simple to tend to your garden.
- For limited mobility – use lightweight plastic jars instead of glass, plastic tools and a plastic spray bottle for easier watering
- Memory Challenges – Make checking the plants part of daily routine to water and check growth. Try creating a simple picture-based maintenance schedule, use bright plant markers to help identify plants, and keep tools in a designated spot
- Incorporate Aromatherapy: Many herbs emit fragrant aromas that can enhance mood and evoke pleasant memories. Gently brush your fingers over the leaves to release these scents while tending to the plants.
- Keep it Simple – Start small with just 2-3 herbs and choose easy-to-grow varieties like basil or mint and keep a simple growth diary together .
Benefits
A simple activity like making a mason jar herb garden can offer several benefits to your loved one
- Psychological Well-Being: Caring plants can foster a sense of calm and purpose. It provides a distraction from boredom or the stress/anxiety of daily life. It benefits not only your loved one, but caregivers will also get pleasure from doing this activity, it’s very mindful.
- Cognitive Engagement: Gardening activates various cognitive skills, such as memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The routine of caring for the plants can help improve focus and attention.
- Sensory Stimulation: The tactile nature of gardening—feeling the soil, smelling the herbs, and observing the colours—can stimulate the senses in a positive way, improving overall well-being.
- Physical Benefits: It provides gentle exercise for hands and fingers and can help towards improving coordination (if you’ve ever handled tiny seeds you’ll understand!)
Conclusion
Creating a DIY mason jar indoor herb garden is a fun activity for dementia care. You can start your garden for very little money and keep you both busy and engaged and don’t forget to celebrate small victories like first sprouts. It’s great for creating conversations through checking the plants each day, talking about recipes that you could use, or chatting about memories of using particular herbs.
Start your herb garden today and watch as something beautiful grows. Happy gardening!
