It might surprise you if I tell you that the price for packaged herbs at the grocery store is comparable to the price you’d pay to buy a small pot of herbs in your local garden center. It’s really true. Fresh herbs seem to be so expensive. They come in a small package at the grocery store for nearly two bucks a piece and they don’t last very long in the refrigerator. I love using fresh herbs, but it’s hard to justify spending so much money on them, only to see some of my precious herbs go bad before I could even use them.
I decided to see how much I could get herbs for at a local garden center. I was shocked to find that a small rosemary plant was about the same price as a package of rosemary at the grocery store! I decided then that although I knew next to nothing about gardening, I would try to grow at least a few different herbs.
Herbs are generally very easy to grow. I am currently growing only parsley, rosemary, and basil, since these are the herbs that I use most often. They are planted in a window box outside my town home, since I have no ground to plant them in. I periodically water them, and tend to them, but don’t spend too much time with them. As I get better at gardening, I may try some new herbs.
Even if you are not interesting in planting herbs for long-term use, you may consider buying a small plant to use in a few recipes. You can keep the plant for as long as you can manage to take care of it, and you’ll definitely save some money compared to buying a package at the grocery store.
Check the Internet or books on herb gardening to get tips on specific varieties of herbs that you are interested in.