Fresh herbs can be expensive, and yet they are some of the easiest food to grow. You can generally grow herbs in a very small space. A sunny window in the kitchen is ideal for growing herbs. You’ll save money in a number of ways:
You won’t have to purchase the food.
You won’t have to worry about waste, since you’ll pluck what you need as you need it.
You won’t waste gas and time having to go to the store when you need a particular fresh herb.
You can use less expensive ingredients, such as pasta, and make the meal seem gourmet.
Unfortunately, I am notorious for having a brown thumb. It worked fine for me when I lived in New York City, but here in the woods, not so much. My habit had been to buy basil plants from the grocery store. The problem is that they would usually wilt and die too soon. Starting basil in a pot has been a much better solution, even for me.
You can grow a wide variety of basil. Not only will this give you different options for your dishes. Some of the prettiest basil plants include the varieties called Purple Ruffles, Cinnamon, Dark Opal and Mrs Burns Lemon. You can also plant standard Italian or American basil, too.
Grow your basil in a sunny area. You want to avoid intense heat, but still allow for full sun.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. basil hates the wet and the cold.
Make sure to harvest your leaves at least every two weeks. This will make sure that the basil continues to grow nicely and does not get spindly.
You can feed your basil a bit with a slow-release fertilizer. Make sure that it is organic, since you’ll be eating your basil.
Enjoy some pesto!
Related Articles:
Frugal lessons from The Amish: Growing Food
Growing My Italian Kitchen Garden