I was grocery shopping recently and noticed that the price of sage is currently $300 a kilo. Granted, a little goes a long way with sage, but still… $300 a kg! Sage farming sounds like a pretty good business to be in! I’ve got at least a kilo in the garden on a highly prolific bush that’s been bestowing fresh sage on us for well over 9 months.
If you’re not yet growing herbs, here are 10 reasons why you really might like to consider starting:
1. They’re easy to grow – much easier than a lot of house plants #isaidit
2. They can be grown in pots, often just as well indoors as on a verandah.
3. Excess can be chopped and frozen in ice cube trays for later use.
4. It will save you money.
5. They’re so beneficial for us; use them every time you cook.
6. They’re largely pest-resistant.
7. Homegrown herbs will ALWAYS be fresher than store-bought.
8. It’ll make you happier. Studies show that growing plants can boost your mood, so why not make them plants that can supplement your diet and save you money, right?
9. If they’re growing well and you have excess, it’s great to be able to share your home-grown herbs with friends, family and neighbours.
10. They taste better than store-bought and add great variety to your dishes.
Not sure what to throw in first?
– Peppermint – can be added to tea, iced drinks and made into mint sauce
– Lemon balm – makes a cup of tea a bit more lemony and has traditionally been used to soothe anxiety as well as for PMS related support
– Calendula – is a great base for homemade balms that can soothe burns, improve skin health and reduce inflammation
– Chamomile – perfect in a cup of hot water right before bed
– Oregano – one of the most powerful herbs for maintaining wellness; add it to all your savoury dishes
– Basil – an amazing herb to add to any dish, but also said to keep flies away, so it’s a good one to keep in a pot at the back door
– Rosemary – traditionally used to help ease seasonal allergies
What herbs are you currently growing? And what will you plant this week?
