DIY Herb Drying Rack
This past fall, I went through a house purge, which meant also purging my art studio. I tend to be a packrat because I can see how to give something a new life in almost anything I find. So far, I have found that as long as I keep my recyclables organized and neatly stored, I have not crossed over to the realm of a hoarder, lol!
I've had a copy paper box full of used screenprinting screens that I couldn't seem to throw out. Even though the screen part of the frame is unusable, the thick wooden frames are sturdy. I finally found a need for them after I needed a drying screen for some herbs!
DIY Herb Drying Rack:
Supplies:
- Old/ Used printing screens
- Silver Steel Chain
- Four Cup Hooks
- Hardware Cloth
- Tin Snips
- Heavy-duty staple gun, with staples.
- Permanent Marker
- S hooks if needed
Tip:
- If you don't have printing screens, you can use wooden frames instead. Replace hardware cloth with chicken wire, but you might want to double it and lay it to where the wires don't line up, to make the holes smaller.
- You can also ask your local print shop if they happen to have any old screens. They may even take the screens off for you, to make sure they follow regulations on ink disposal or any chemicals that might be on the screens. If there are any color stains on the frames, just clean, scrub, or sand with sandpaper when you get home.
Building Steps:
- Step 1: Remove the old printing screen from the frame. Carefully use scissors to remove the tubing that holds the screen in place.
- Step 2: Using tin snips cut hardware cloth into the right size for each frame. If needed, use a permanent marker to mark off the edges that need to be cut.
- Step 3: you will attach the screen using a staple gun.
- Step 4: Using a drill and a small drill bit. Drill a hole into each corner.
- Step 5: Twist/screw one cup hook into each corner.
- Step 6: Mesure four equal lengths of chain. The chain's length will depend on where you want to hang the screen and how long/short you want it to hang.
- Step 7: Attach each chain to one corner hook. You can connect all four lengths when they meet up at the top, or wait until you hang your screen and slide each piece on the hook attached to the ceiling.
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- Step 8: Hang your drying screen!
I even added S hooks to the hardware cloth so that I could hang bundles from below.
Where to hang:
The most important thing is to make sure you don't place your herbs in too much light when drying. Where my rack hangs, doesn't get direct sun, but it still is probably a little too much to keep my herbs permanently. It's best to dry and then store in a safe place. It's best to research the best way to dry each herb. While the herbs are drying, enjoy their beauty and consider them a decoration piece! Some will smell wonderful as they hang.
It's incredible how you can turn what some people would consider trash into something new and useful! You just reduced and reused!
Keep on wandering,
Kara
You can see how I used some of the same screens to make an artsy arrangement in my bedroom makeover! Check this blog post out too!
