Do you have a mason jar collection like I do? I love vintage blue canning jars but I’m not a purist. Modern-day clear jars are perfectly fine to use in my home and I even enjoy the new colored jars. Ball and Kerr are two of the most common jars available today. There are so many ways to use these lovely jars in your home and garden. Here are 10 of my favorite ways to use mason jars in the garden. Whether you are organizing or decorating, these jars will add a touch of beauty.
10 Ways To Use Mason Jars In The Garden…
Catch-All for Tools
Use your canning jars as a container for any number of garden tools. The wide mouth jars will work best if you want them to hold your garden tools and plant stakes. And things look so much nicer when everything isn’t a jumbled mess.
Seed Storage
Whether you store your seeds in packets or loose, your canning jars can hold a large amount of seeds. This is especially valuable if you like to see the seeds so you know what’s available.
Potting Bench Decoration
Line up jars on your potting bench as a great way to show off your mason jar collection. Use them to hold faux flowers, fill them with vintage garden tools or just leave them empty.
Hurricane Lantern
Fill the bottom of your jar with sand and top with a tea light candle. Even if you use battery operated candles, the sand will elevate the light and make your table and shed feel like summer. Line a number of these on your outdoor garden table for some festive lighting.
Herb Bouquets
Clip bundles of herbs from your garden and place them in water-filled jars. Keep an herb jar on your kitchen counter or table for a fresh bouquet. You will have quick access to the herbs when you need to snip some for dinner.
Shaker
Punch holes in the jar lid and use as a shaker for tiny seeds, Epson salt or diatomaceous earth.
Birdbath or Feeder
Stand a large jar upright and top with a glass or metal pie plate for an impromptu bird feeder or birdbath. It’s best to hot glue the pie plate to the jar so that the birds or wind won’t topple it over. You can also fill the jar with decorative pebbles or rocks to add more stability.
Mini Garden
Fill your jar with potting soil and plant with herbs or flowers. These growing jars can be used as an outdoor table decoration or as a hostess gift. You can display them individually, tie twine around them to group together or place several in a container with compartments.
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Twine Storage
Place your roll of twine inside a mason jar. Use a decorative lid with a straw hole or punch a single hole in the top of the lid. Thread the twine through the hole and screw the lid on. No more tangled twine. If you make you own hole, be sure to sand down any sharp edges on your metal so as not to damage the twine.
Food Container
Last but not least, you can use your canning jars to serve food and beverages. This classic container can be used for iced tea, lemonade or cocktails for your next BBQ. Or serve a layered dessert at your next garden party. Here are 2 options:
- Oreo Cookie Dessert- place a layer of crushed cookies in the bottom of your jar. Top with a layer of chocolate or vanilla pudding. Next comes a layer of whipped cream. Add a second layer of each. Top with whipped cream and some broken cookie pieces.
- Strawberry Rhubarb Dessert- place a layer of cubed angel food cake, pound cake or Rhubarb Crunch Cake in the bottom. Top with cut-up strawberries and a few spoonfuls of Rhubarb Sauce and whipped cream. Add a second layer of each and top with whipped cream and a strawberry half. Be sure to keep your desserts refrigerated until ready to serve.
Mason jars have endless uses. The more I use them, the more ways I find to put them to work. Even if you don’t have vintage Blue Ball Jars you can pick up a 12-pack of jars at your local grocery store and use them in your shed, on your picnic table and in the garden. Easy and inexpensive, mason jars are a great way to add some beauty to your garden. I hope that you find a few of these ideas helpful in your garden as well.