HerbsWhy Rob a Bank When You can

Grow Herbs at Home!!

• Herbs are outrageously expensive• especially if pre-packaged• packaging can increase the price by

several hundred percent• there is often significant waste

• In Coffs Harbour, Herbs can generally be grown all year round

• Herbs are easy to grow, space efficient, and tolerate a range of conditions

• Herbs can easily be grown in pots, or in amongst other plants and flowers as well as in a dedicated herb bed

• Herbs can double the cost of preparing a simple meal.

ITEM QTY UNIT WEIGHT PRICEPRICE PER UNIT PER KG

Mint Punnet 2.98$ 20g 149.00$ Parsley Punnet 2.98$ 20g 149.00$

Coriander Punnet 3.00$ 20g 150.00$ Sage Punnet 2.98$ 15g 198.70$

Thyme Punnet 2.98$ 15g 198.70$ Birdseyes Punnet 3.50$ 20g 175.00$

Basil Punnet 2.98$ 20g 149.00$ Garlic Loose 3.00$ 100g 30.00$ Chives Punnet 2.98$ 20g 149.00$

Bay Leaves Bag 1.03$ 10g 103.00$ Oregano Punnet 2.98$ 20g 198.70$

• In the table adjacent I’ve chosen a favourite recipe to demonstrate how much can be saved by growing your own herbs

• If I buy all the ingredients at Coles for this dish, it will cost $31.69

• By growing all of the herbs listed, I can save $14.89, (which will pay for the wine)

• If I grow the capsicums and onions as well, I can save a whopping $21.15 or 67% of the total cost.

Ingredients Qty From Using My Using MyColes Own Herbs Own Veges

Beef Mince 1 Kg 7.00$ 7.00$ 7.00$ No.7 Spaghetti 1/2 Pack 0.95$ 0.95$ 0.95$

Tomatoes 2 tins 1.60$ 1.60$ 1.60$ Bread Crumbs 6 slices 0.42$ 0.42$ 0.42$ Red Capsicum 2 whole 4.70$ 4.70$ -$ Brown Onions 3 medium 1.56$ 1.56$ -$

Coriander 1 bunch 4.00$ -$ -$ Italian Parsley 1 bunch 2.98$ -$ -$

Sage 1 bunch 2.98$ -$ -$ Oregano 1 bunch 2.98$ -$ -$ Red Chilli 20 g 0.60$ -$ -$ Bay Leaf 2 leaves 0.10$ -$ -$

Sweet Paprika 10g 0.57$ 0.57$ 0.57$ Garlic 2 cloves 1.25$ -$ -$

31.69$ 16.80$ 10.54$

Si's World Famous Italian Meatballs

Plant Cuttings and Tubers Amongst your Shrubs

Dedicate a Small Corner for Growing Herbs

Grow Chillies in the Corner of Your Vege Bed

Keep some Potted Herbs close to the Kitchen

Capsicums Growing Just Outside My Front Door

Ginger and Tumeric in Amongst The Shrubbery

My Top 10 Herb Growing Tips1. Plenty of sun, good drainage and ample water, especially pots2. Avoid terracotta pots as they conduct too much heat3. Most herbs, but not all, prefer an alkaline soil4. Keep your herbs well trimmed to stop them from bolting5. Make sure your herbs have space to breathe and grow out6. Best results come from seedlings planted in early spring

a) most of my herbs have come from “Jim’s Herb Nursery”

7. Water Basil at the roots in the morning, (prevents leaf spot)8. Thyme thrives on neglect9. Chives grow best in pots10. Mint tends to take over, so keep it’s roots confined