At the April meeting Simon's presentation was on growing herbs.

1. Herbs
Why Rob a Bank When You can
Grow Herbs at Home!!

2. • 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 PRICE
PRICE 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$

3. • 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 $21.15
or 67% of the total cost.
Ingredients Qty From Using My Using My
Coles Own Herbs Own Veges
Beef Mince 1 Kg 7.00$ 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

4. Plant Cuttings and Tubers Amongst your Shrubs

5. Dedicate a Small Corner for Growing Herbs

6. Grow Chillies in the Corner of Your Vege Bed

7. Keep some Potted Herbs close to the Kitchen

8. Capsicums Growing Just Outside My Front Door

9. Ginger and Tumeric in Amongst The Shrubbery

10. My Top 10 Herb Growing Tips
1. Plenty of sun, good drainage and ample water, especially pots
2. Avoid terracotta pots as they conduct too much heat
3. Most herbs, but not all, prefer an alkaline soil
4. Keep your herbs well trimmed to stop them from bolting
5. Make sure your herbs have space to breathe and grow out
6. 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 neglect
9. Chives grow best in pots
10. Mint tends to take over, so keep it’s roots confined