The produce can be the ideal ingredient for those who love to cook and can help save dollars and minimise wastage when buying groceries. With so many herbs readily available at nurseries, health food shops and markets, it is easier than ever to experience ‘paddock to plate’ at home.

Consider the herbs you like to cook with or add to salads and begin from there. Do you want to grow your herbs in a sunny spot inside or outside in a easy-to-reach part of the garden?

Do you want to plant them in individual pots or have a mass planting in one larger pot, directly into the ground or in a quirky item such as a discarded kettle or bucket for added personality?

“If it’s your first time growing a herb garden, it’s a good idea to start with basil as it is easy to grow and doesn’t require as much watering as other herbs,” Bunnings garden expert David Hardie says.

Herbs need more than six hours of direct sunlight a day, so if you are struggling to find a sunny spot then opt for herbs that thrive in shade, such as mint, parsley and coriander.

A windowsill or a sunny ledge in the kitchen is ideal, David says. Add a little compost or fertiliser every couple of weeks to feed the plants. A DIY kit could be your answer if you are not confident in starting a herb garden from scratch, he says, as they include soil pellets, seeds and pots. 

“Keep an eye on the soil to make sure it is moist enough for your herbs to blossom,” he says. “Poke your finger into the pot - if the soil is a little dry below the surface, it’s time to top up the water.”

Prune leaves after they have three full sets of leaves and a regular harvest will “make them grow back bigger, stronger and tastier”. And, if flowers haven’t bloomed, it’s still fine to prune the herb.

“The most important tip of all is to make sure you reward your hard work by eating your herbs,” David says. “You will love the addition of home-grown herbs to dishes.”