How to Build a Pallet Herb Garden at Home

If you’ve got a wooden pallet lying around and you like the idea of growing your own herbs, you’re halfway there. A pallet herb garden doesn’t take much to set up, and it doesn’t eat up a lot of space either.

Whether you’ve got a balcony, a small yard, or just a fence to hang it on, a pallet can turn into a neat little growing spot for things like basil, parsley, or thyme.

You don’t need fancy tools or expensive stuff – just a safe pallet, a few basics, and a bit of time. This guide will walk you through it all, plain and simple.

For more inspiration, check out our creative herb garden ideas too.

Selecting the Right Pallet

Before you start planting anything, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right kind of pallet. Not all pallets are safe for growing food, and some can even be harmful if you don’t know what to look for.

Look for the HT Stamp

Pallets usually have a stamp on one of the sides. The main thing to check for is “HT” – this means the wood was heat-treated, not chemically treated.

That makes it safe to use for growing herbs.

Avoid anything marked “MB”, which means it was treated with methyl bromide, a toxic chemical. You don’t want that near anything you plan to eat.

Check the Condition

Go for a pallet that’s solid and in good shape. Avoid anything that’s soft, rotting, soaked, or covered in stains. If it smells strange or looks like it carried chemicals, skip it. The boards should be sturdy, not cracked or falling apart.

Where to Find Good Pallets

You can often get pallets for free if you ask around. Hardware stores, small garden shops, warehouses, and even some grocery stores usually have extras. Just make sure to ask first.

And don’t bother with any that have been sitting out in the rain or look worn out.

Pick the Right Size

A full-size pallet (around 48″ x 40″) works for most folks, but if space is tight, a half pallet might be better. You can even cut one down if needed. Just make sure whatever you use is sturdy enough to hold soil and herbs once it’s filled.

Preparing the Pallet

Once you’ve picked out a good, safe pallet, the next step is getting it ready for planting. This part is all about cleaning it up, smoothing it out, and making sure it can hold soil without falling apart.

Clean the Pallet Thoroughly

Start by giving the pallet a good scrub. Use a stiff brush and a mix of water and mild soap to get rid of dirt, dust, or anything stuck to the wood. If it’s really dirty, rinse it off with a hose. Let it dry completely before moving on.

Sand Down Rough Spots

Most pallets are pretty rough, and you don’t want splinters in your hands – or tearing through any fabric you’ll be adding later. Use sandpaper or a power sander to smooth out sharp edges, loose splinters, and any spots where the wood might catch.

Seal the Wood (Optional)

If you’re putting your pallet garden outdoors and want it to last longer, sealing it can help. Use a non-toxic, outdoor-safe wood sealer. This step is optional, but it does help protect against moisture, especially if your pallet will sit directly on the ground.

Check and Fix Any Loose Parts

Make sure all the boards are secure. If any nails are sticking out or slats feel loose, hammer them back in or replace them with screws. You want the pallet solid enough to hold soil without falling apart or bowing under the weight.

Modifying the Pallet for Planting

Now that your pallet is clean and solid, it’s time to turn it into something that can actually hold soil and herbs. This part is all about making pockets or compartments where your herbs will grow.

Attach Landscape Fabric or Liner

To keep soil from spilling out, you’ll need to line the inside of the pallet. The easiest way is to use landscape fabric, burlap, or thick plastic.

Cut pieces to fit the back and bottom of each row, then staple them tightly along the edges. Make sure they’re snug enough to hold soil but not so tight that water can’t drain through.

Seal the Back (If Using Vertically)

If you plan to lean the pallet up against a wall or hang it, cover the full backside with fabric or plastic so nothing falls out.

Some people also add a thin plywood panel to the back for extra strength. Just make sure it’s secured well and doesn’t block water drainage.

Create Planting Compartments

Most pallets have gaps between the front slats. These make perfect planting rows. By stapling fabric underneath each gap, you create a row that holds soil like a trough.

If your pallet has wide gaps or missing slats, you can screw in extra boards to form tighter compartments.

Double-Check for Strength

Once you’ve stapled and set up all the planting rows, press down a bit to make sure everything holds. If the fabric sags too much or pulls away, reinforce it with extra staples or a few small strips of wood over the top edges.

Filling and Planting Herbs into the Pallet

Once your pallet is prepped, it’s time to fill it with soil and tuck in your herbs.

Use a lightweight potting mix rather than garden soil – it drains better and is perfect for the shallow planting spaces between pallet slats.

If you have compost on hand, mixing some in adds a gentle nutrient boost. Fill each row slowly from the bottom up, pressing the soil in gently so it stays put without becoming compacted.

When planting, give each herb enough room to breathe – usually one or two per row, depending on space. Dig a small hole with your hand, place the herb in, and pat the soil around the roots, keeping the soil line level with the original pot.

Label your herbs as you go using tags, painted sticks, or write directly on the pallet so you don’t forget what’s what.

Positioning the Pallet Garden

Where you place your pallet herb garden can make or break how well your herbs grow.

Most herbs need around 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day, so pick a spot that gets good light – ideally along a south-facing wall or fence. If your summers get really hot, a bit of afternoon shade can help keep things from drying out too fast.

If you're standing the pallet up, make sure it's stable. Lean it slightly back or fasten it to a fence or wall so it won’t tip forward.

For ground setups, raise the pallet off damp soil using bricks or boards to prevent rot.

Just make sure you can reach everything easily for watering and harvesting, and avoid windy or low-lying areas where water might collect.

If you need a little inspiration on setup styles or layouts, take a look at our pallet garden ideas for more ways to make it work in your space.

Watering and Drainage

Pallet herb gardens don’t hold water like regular garden beds, so it’s important to water often but not too much at once.

Since the soil is in smaller pockets, it dries out faster – especially if the pallet is standing upright and exposed to sun and wind. A light watering once a day or every other day usually works, depending on the weather.

Good drainage is just as important. Make sure your landscape fabric or liner has small holes at the bottom of each pocket so extra water can escape.

If water sits in the pallet, the wood can rot and your herbs might get root rot.

You can also add a thin layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom of each compartment to help water drain through more evenly.

Maintaining Your Pallet Herb Garden

Once everything’s planted and growing, the main goal is to keep things tidy and healthy.

Check on your herbs regularly – trim them back when they start getting too tall or bushy. This not only keeps them looking neat, but it also encourages new growth and better flavor.

Keep an eye on the pallet itself, too. If it’s outdoors, check for signs of rot, loose boards, or rusty nails every few weeks. You might need to reapply a wood sealer once a year to help it last longer.

If soil levels drop or herbs start looking weak, top off the compartments with fresh potting mix or compost. A little upkeep here and there will keep your herb garden going strong.

Optional Add-Ons and Functional Tweaks

Once your pallet herb garden is set up, there are a few simple ways to make it more useful or better looking:

• Label your herbs using wooden sticks, chalkboard tags, or paint the names right onto the wood. It helps you keep track of what’s growing where.
• Add hooks to the sides of the pallet for hanging small tools, gloves, or even a small watering can.
• Use food-safe paint or stain to give the pallet a cleaner look or match your outdoor space.
• Attach small shelves or trays if you want a spot for starter pots, seeds, or extra supplies.
• Install small solar lights or string lights if you want it to stand out in the evening.

Just keep everything simple so your herbs still have room to grow and nothing blocks sunlight or airflow.

Start Growing with What You’ve Got

A pallet herb garden is a simple, low-cost way to grow fresh herbs right at home, even if you don’t have much space.

With just one safe pallet and a few supplies, you can turn an empty wall, corner, or patio into something useful. It doesn’t take a lot of money or special skills – just some basic prep and a little upkeep.

Whether you’re growing basil for cooking or mint for tea, this setup makes it easy to get started. And since you built it yourself, you can adjust it any way you like.

The key is to keep things simple, pay attention to your herbs, and let the pallet do the hard work of holding it all together.

FAQs

1. How do I know if a pallet is food-safe?

Look for pallets marked with “HT” (heat-treated). These are safe to use for growing herbs. Avoid any marked “MB” (methyl bromide), or pallets with strong smells, stains, or signs of chemical exposure.

2. Can a pallet herb garden stand upright on its own?

It can, but it’s best to lean it slightly backward against a solid wall or fence. For extra safety, you can secure it with screws or brackets to prevent tipping.

3. Do I need to seal or paint my pallet?

It’s optional, but sealing your pallet with a non-toxic, outdoor-safe wood sealer can help protect it from moisture and make it last longer – especially if it’s sitting outside year-round.

4. How do I keep the soil from falling out?

Use landscape fabric or thick plastic stapled behind the slats to create pockets. Make sure it’s tight and secure so it can hold soil but still allow for drainage.

5. What should I do if the pallet starts to rot or fall apart?

If the wood shows signs of rot, replace the damaged boards or the whole pallet if needed. You can extend its life by keeping it off the ground and out of heavy rain when possible.