As people have been spending more time at home over the last year, gardening has become a popular hobby. It’s a [adjective] way to rewind and relax, and there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with growing something yourself. Unfortunately, some may be turned off by the cost of gardening supplies and the heavy time investment necessary to successfully sustain a garden—which is why a miniature garden is the perfect way to start out.

First, you’ll have to decide which plants you’d like to grow. The most common types of plants grown indoors are herbs, as the majority of them are easy to care for and can also be used for culinary purposes. You’ll get the most use out of growing herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro and mint. Another good choice, especially for those with cats or dogs, is wheatgrass, as it is low maintenance and can improve a pet’s digestive system.

From glass cups to mason jars, there are a variety of different ways you can repurpose containers you already have at home to use as pots. For convenience, rather than drilling drainage holes, you should place a few inches of gravel or marbles at the bottom to capture excess water and prevent root damage. As some of the plants you grow may be used for consumption, it’s recommended that you use potting soil, which can easily be found at a home supply store like Home Depot. 

If you’re starting from seedlings, half-fill the container with soil and gently place in the seedling, finally topping it off with more soil. You can also start from seeds, in which case you would fill the container with soil to the top, then place a few seeds a half-inch below. Go with seedlings if you’d like to quickly make use of your herbs, and go with the seeds if you’d like the long-term gratification.

Growing herbs in reused containers is a wonderful way to repurpose waste, a hobby that is both low cost and low maintenance while having a high pay-off. If you have some time on your hands, why not take this opportunity to cultivate life with your own hands.