How growing your own kitchen herbs will save you money

Are you looking for a way to enjoy fresh herbs without the hefty price tag at the grocery store? Growing your own kitchen herbs is an excellent way to save money while having a ready supply of fresh ingredients for cooking.

Many popular culinary herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, and oregano are surprisingly simple to grow. All they need is potting soil, a container, and a sunny spot on your windowsill or back porch.

Once established, a thriving herb garden will provide you with all the fresh herbs you need without the expense of buying them already potted or in bunches at the store. According to my records, I spend about $5-10 per year on seeds and soil for my herb garden, versus $5-10 per week on pre-cut herbs from the supermarket. That’s a savings of $240-480 annually!

The initial startup cost for your herb garden is very affordable as well. All you need is:

• Potting soil ($5-10 for a large bag to start multiple plants)
• Pots, planters, or a garden bed ($5-20 for multipurpose containers)
• Seeds, starters, or small plants (10-pack of seeds for $4-10)

Here are my personal recommendations for gear to get you started (I don’t earn any commission on these products).

Within a few months, your herbs will have grown large enough to harvest. Parsley, cilantro, thyme and oregano are particularly fast-growing. You’ll be clipping leaves, stems and flowers to use in your recipes. Be sure to only prune what you need and allow the plants to keep growing. Proper care means your herbs will remain productive for several years.

RELATED: Top 10 Herbs to Grow on Your Kitchen Counter

Happy gardening!