Growing herbs can save cash

Former Gardeners World host Monty Don has told readers of a national newspaper they can save themselves a small fortune by growing their own herbs.

He wrote in the Daily Mail that the price of a bunch of supermarket leaves could buy seeds capable of producing an "endless supply".

"Many of our favourites, such as rosemary, thyme and sage, come from the baking hills of the Mediterranean and do best in poor soil," Don explained.

They are a useful thing to grow as their strong flavour can make a big difference to meals, the expert suggested.

He added they often flourish in a sunny spot and said the Mediterranean varieties can be grown in a mixture of subsoil and grit.

Don described how he built a raised bed to create ideal conditions for herbs such as tarragon, oregano and coriander.

The writer recently told a reader he could safely hack into the bamboo that was spreading from his neighbours garden without damaging the parent plant.