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This quick tutorial will teach you how to make a super cute, DIY Farmhouse Inspired Herb Drying Rack, with just two materials.
Spring is here, which means, herbs galore are growing and thriving here on The Inspired Prairie, and I’m sure in your garden as well!
What herbs do I have growing?
On our property, I have herbs growing in various places.
In our garden I have peppermint, spearmint, thyme and cilantro.
In the front of my house I have lemon balm, and some more peppermint plants are growing by our barn.
How I like to use herbs
My favorite way to use herbs is by putting fresh and dried herbs in my chicken’s nesting boxes, and hanging some in their decorated chicken coop.
Yes, I’m that weirdo that gives my chickens herbs!
Now, of course, I could dry my fresh herbs in a not-so-cute way, like drying them on the counter in my kitchen, or on some cookie racks, or on a screen outside.
But that’s not very cute!
Well, I’ve had this really pretty, vintage-painted frame hanging around, that I just couldn’t part with.
Even though Mr. Hubs kept asking me:
“why we still have it?”
“what am I going to do with it?”
and… “why don’t I just throw it away since I’m not using it?”
But you see, I just couldn’t! Because I knew I could somehow use it in my home decor SOMEWHERE for a DIY project, SOMEDAY!
And this is where this DIY Farmhouse Inspired Herb Drying Rack idea came from!
How to Make a DIY Farmhouse Inspired Herb Drying Rack
You’ll need only two materials to make this DIY Herb Drying Rack:
- One large, cute picture frame (check a thrift store or yard sale)
- Chicken Wire
Tools needed:
- Staple Gun
- Wire Cutters
- Possibly, some pliers
Steps to make this DIY Farmhouse Inspired Herb Drying Rack
Step 1. Remove the glass from your picture frame
The first thing you need to do is prepare your picture frame to become your herb drying rack.
To do this you will need to grab your picture frame and remove the glass and backing. You only want an empty picture frame.
If the back of the picture frame has staples or nails, remove them with pliers before proceeding.
If your picture frame has no glass and no backing, then skip down to Step 2.
Step 2. Paint your frame (if needed)
If the frame needs a refresh, paint it with paint, chalkboard paint, and add a little distressing, of course!
I honestly just painted mine with leftover white wall paint, and then distressed it a bit (but I did that years ago, so no before pictures. But the frame was originally brown and not as cute.).
Step 3. Measure and cut your chicken wire for the DIY herb rack
Lay the chicken wire over the backside of the picture frame, and cut the chicken wire using wire cutters.
**Cut the chicken wire a little bigger than the frame, and you can cut off the excess once finished.**
Step 4. Staple the chicken wire to your picture frame
Finally, you are going to lay the chicken wire across the backside of the frame and staple one side.
Next, pull the chicken wire as tight as you can (it’s helpful to have two people for this) and staple the opposite side.
Continue with the two other sides of the frame, being sure to pull the chicken wire nice and tight and straight as you staple.
Lastly, cut off the extra chicken wire that’s no longer needed.
How to hang fresh herbs on this DIY Farmhouse Inspired Drying Rack
You can get creative here, but here are some ideas:
- Use really cute, or old-fashioned wood clothespins to hang the fresh herbs on
- Use twine, and tie a fresh herb bundle to the drying rack to dry.
- Use a paper clip and clip the herbs to the chicken wire, but this isn’t the most attractive way.
Those are just a few ways you can hang your herbs to dry on this drying rack, however, the possibilities are endless.
Where to Put this DIY Herb Drying Rack
This farmhouse-inspired herb drying rack makes the cutest addition to any farmhouse, shabby chic, or vintage home decor style.
Some cute places to put this DIY herb drying rack are:
- You can hang this on the wall, to make a hanging herb drying rack. Think your kitchen, mudroom, entryway, etc.
- This drying rack can be placed on a shelf, counter or buffet table (this is what I did) leaning against a wall for the perfect farmhouse decor.
What to do with your freshly, dried herbs once they’re dried?
Some cool ways to use the freshly dried herbs:
- Store them in an airtight container or mason jar for cooking
- Give some to your animals. Put them in your chicken’s nesting boxes, animal beds, cages, etc.
- Put some in your pillowcases
- Grind up and sprinkle on food
- Make herbal eye pillows
- Make my DIY Moisturizing Body Salt Scrubs!
- Infuse the dried herbs in vinegar for a non-toxic cleaning spray! Like this recipe of mine, right here!
There are plenty of other ways to use your newly dried herbs from your herb garden.
Will This DIY Herb Drying Rack Work for Drying Flowers?
Yes, of course, this farmhouse herb drying rack will work for drying fresh flowers.
Just hang the flower upside down to dry on the drying rack.
