Don’t do it yourself, create it yourself

At home, projects can seem overwhelming or downright impossible to accomplish. Who has time to literally watch the paint dry in their living room when there are extracurricular activities to drive to, do laundry, and for many, all of this adds up to a full-time job? However, one of the easiest, smallest and best ways to save some money is to shop in your own garden or kitchen. With a small monetary investment, some time, some sun and water, you will be well on your way to saving extra money. You do not believe me? keep reading

green is the new Hue
You’ve heard it everywhere: from fuel-efficient cars and traditional recycling programs to cleaning products and new sources of energy; Going green is not just a slogan, but also a way of life. Join the revolution by going green inside or outside your home, and I don’t mean painting the walls in shades of hunter, kelly or pea green.

sprout some spices
Stocking your spice rack can be quite expensive. When starting your own miniature garden at home, you will be able to use fresh elements such as oregano, sage, rosemary, cilantro and basil, without having to drive to the nearest supermarket. Seedlings for such items are only pennies to buy, but they have close to a 300% markup at your local store. Additionally, growing your miniature garden indoors allows you to control the environment, eliminating common frustrations like outdoor diseases and pests that harm plant life.

get the basics
To keep your spices and herbs protected, invest in a garden container or several small pots. Keeping each item separately in smaller pots can be ideal for herbs that can take over surrounding areas, like mint.

A small, sturdy pair of pruning shears are great to have on hand, but they’re not necessary. As you can imagine, not all spices are created and cultivated equally. Before planting, make sure you know the necessary soil, light, temperature, and watering guidelines for each item.

Dig in!
Once the space on the windowsill has been cleared, the counter, wherever, you are ready to try your hand at becoming a grow genius. Plant each seed to a depth twice the seed side and water thoroughly. Be sure to check the level of drainage and the quality of the soil; most plants require one inch of water per week. Every few days, rotate the containers so that all angles receive the same amount of sunlight.

harvest the goods
Here’s a quick guide on when to reap your hard work:
Orange: tear off the leaves; store dry leaves
Sage: pluck the leaves, save the dried leaves
Rosemary: pluck flowers and leaves; store dried flowers and leaves
Coriander: tear off the leaves; use fresh
Basil: tear off the leaves, store the dried leaves

Store like a pro
One of the most frustrating parts of gardening is making the fruits of your labor last. Most gardeners can grow their own plants, but they store them incorrectly. Keep plucked pieces dry in a dark place, away from excessive moisture and sunlight. An easy way to do this is to package each herb in its own brown paper bag. Label each bag and store in a cool, dark, and dry place and you’ll save yourself that trip to the grocery store!