A Charming and Functional, Summer DIY Herb Garden Ladder Project

DIY Herb Ladder Garden, A Charming, Functional Summer Project.

If you're short on garden space but big on creativity, a DIY herb ladder garden is a brilliant way to grow fresh herbs while adding charm and personality to your outdoor space. This easy, upcycled project transforms an old wooden ladder into a vertical garden bursting with flavor, color, and rustic summer style.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner with a few pots of basil and thyme, this vertical solution is perfect for patios, balconies, porches, or even indoors by a sunny window.

Vertical Herb Garden Using a Ladder

Why a Ladder Garden?

Repurposing a ladder as a vertical herb garden is both practical and beautiful. It maximizes growing space, keeps herbs within easy reach for cooking, and adds a playful, cottage inspired aesthetic to your porch or garden. It’s also a great way to reuse an old ladder in a sustainable, low cost way. You can find vintage ladders at antique stores, flea markets or yard sales, if you don't happen to have one. Vintage wooden ladders are great because they usually have flat wide steps which is a must for this project. Another tip, you can use an old bunk ladder if your kids no longer use their bunk style beds....just a thought.

Materials You’ll Need

• A wooden ladder (step or leaning style)

• Sandpaper (medium to fine grit)

• Exterior paint or wood stain in a summery color-Oops paint is a great option and budget friendly!

• Paintbrush or foam roller

• Terra cotta, Ceramic or plastic pots (as many as fit comfortably on your steps)

• Potting soil

• A selection of your favorite herbs (basil, mint, thyme, parsley, rosemary, etc.)

• Optional: hooks or cup holders for hanging small pots

• Optional: chalkboard labels or paint for labeling herbs

Instructions:

Step 1: Prep and Paint the Ladder

Start by lightly sanding your ladder to remove any rough spots or peeling paint. Wipe it down to remove dust. Choose a cheerful summer hue like sage green, sunflower yellow, or robin’s egg blue and apply a coat or two of outdoor paint or stain. Let it dry completely. I like roughing up the old paint, leaving it rustic with bits of paint and the natural wood exposed. Once you get it to the look that you want, you can seal it with an outdoor clear coat in order to keep the moisture from destroying your wood.

Step 2: Choose and Prep Your Pots

Select pots that fit well on each step without overcrowding. Make sure each pot has a drainage hole, if you can fit a saucer under the pot, that's even better. You can use matching pots for a polished look or mix and match for a fun, eclectic garden vibe. Fill each pot with high quality potting mix suitable for herbs.

Step 3: Plant Your Herbs

Plant one type of herb in each pot, following spacing and depth recommendations on the plant tag. Water thoroughly and label each pot using chalkboard tags, paint pens, or garden markers. Group sun loving herbs like rosemary, oregano, and basil toward the top steps for more exposure, and place shade tolerant herbs like parsley or mint on lower steps.

Step 4: Assemble Your Ladder Garden

Position the ladder in a sunny location, outdoors on a patio or porch, or indoors near a bright window. Place your herb pots on each step. You can also hang small potted herbs using S hooks or garden twine from any rungs, if your ladder has them.

For extra charm, drape string lights, tuck in small garden gnomes, or add decorative signs with plant care tips.

Step 5: Maintain and Enjoy

Check your herbs regularly for watering needs. Snip fresh herbs as needed to encourage growth. Most herbs love full sun and will thrive with regular harvesting.

Vertical Herb Ladder with String Lights

Style and Sustainability in One Project

Create a charming and functional DIY Herb Ladder Garden, the perfect summer project for adding greenery and style to your outdoor space. It’s a perfect blend of upcycling, gardening, and home decor. Whether you’re sipping iced tea on the porch or prepping dinner in the kitchen, your vertical garden is always just a step away. I use fresh herbs daily, whether I'm cooking dinner, blending herbal cheeses for a charcuterie board, or steeping a simple cup of tea. They’re a flavorful, nourishing part of my everyday routine. I hope this project inspires you to grow and enjoy your own herbs with just as much ease and creativity. If you give this DIY a try, be sure to tag us on Instagram or Facebook, @everythingfighollowfarm, we’d love to see your beautiful herb ladder garden in action.

As always, happy creating, happy planting...and, have a blast putting it all together!

Jennifer