There’s not point in buying something when you can get it for free, and gardener Simon Akeroyd has explained how to get a lifetime supply of herbs with one easy trick
Wouldn’t it be incredible to buy something just once and then never have to buy it again. That’s what one gardener says we can be doing in just a few very simple steps, with a quid at the supermarket guaranteed to keep you fed for years if you follow his easy tip.
TikTok star Simon Akeroyd knows everything there is to know about gardening, having been head gardener for the Royal Horticultural Society and National Trust, while also writing 30 books on the subject.
Thankfully, while Simon himself is a pro, he’s simplified his lessons into short clips that anyone can follow – meaning you don’t have to be green-fingered to get a healthy, blooming garden.
In one of his videos for summer gardening ideas, the social media star focuses on basil, which can easily add loads more flavour and nutrients to anything from pesto to smoothies, or even fish and chicken curries.
You can pick up a pot of living basil from most supermarkets, with it currently only £1.08 to order from Asda online and not reaching any more than £2 at the other big name shops. These pots don’t tend to live long – but Simon has shown us how to keep them going forever.
In his video, he shows that you just need to take some scissors and cut one of the fresher pieces low on the stem. Next, pluck off the lower leaves, and place it in a small pot of water.
Soon the stem will start growing its own roots, at which point you can remove it from the water and plant it in soil in its own pot. This is now a plant of its own, and you can shove it on a windowsill to grow.
This could go on indefinitely, as you’ll be able to take a clipping from that one when it grows to make even more new plants. Simon – who has shared countless tips for making new, free food out of scraps – also clarified some more information in the comment section.
One person asked why you couldn’t just split the stems up and keep the original root system, with Simon explaining: “They are usually weak plants as supermarkets grow lots all crammed into one pot. So yes you can divide but much better to take cuttings.”
Another wanted to go a step further and just dunk the whole pot from the supermarket packaging into the garden, but Simon clarified: “You can, but it is an annual so will not live long. Taking a cutting is like starting again with a new plant.”
The thrifty gardener doesn’t waste a thing, and also shared what he does with the rest of the supermarket pot if he only wants to take a couple of clippings from it. “I use it for cooking and compost when it has finished and gone over. After having taken cuttings,” he stated.
And, alongside being able to use the basil in cooking, it serves another purpose beyond looking pretty. According to House Beautiful, keeping basil plants in the home is a very good deterrent against spiders. The arachnids are said to hate the strong smell of the herb and will stay away from it – whereas to us, it’s a lovely scent to flood the house.
