I’m a gardening expert – you’ll have free herbs for months with my easy tips to stop supermarket plants dying in days
A GARDENING guru has explained how you can make your shop-bought herbs last for months with her incredible tip.
Horticulturist Frances Tophill says she has the solution to stop your supermarket plants from dying in just a matter of days.
Many Brits have fought a losing battle when trying to make their mini indoor herb gardens flourish for longer.
Most are easy to sustain if they get the proper amount of sunlight and have good soil conditions.
But some still find their supermarket-bought herb plants slumped along the windowsill when they’re about to rustle up a tasty meal.
Yet Frances claims there is a quick fix to stop your favourite ingredients from going bad – and it only takes a few minutes.
She discussed her herb hacks while rustling up garden-inspired cocktails with mixology expert Carmen O’Neal during a segment on Friday’s episode of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The green-fingered presenter, from Kent, said herb plants people purchase while whizzing up and down the aisles aren’t well known for their longevity.
Frances explained: “They will tend to die because it’s all just crammed in.
“If you buy it from a supermarket, break up the clump that you’ve got in the pot and pot them individually.
“Then they will be much happier.”
She suggested that giving your plant the proper breathing space will encourage it to thrive for longer.
The horticulturist then revealed another trick to ensuring a steady herb supply in your household.
While grabbing some basil to add to a summery cocktail, Frances said: “I’m just going to take the tip – as that’s also a really good way of keeping your basil alive.
“If you take the tip off it, you’ll find the lower bits begin to branch rather than pulling the individual leaves off.”
Grabbing the leaves growing on top, even if they are not as large, will allow the herb plant to replenish itself and continue to grow.
Simply tearing out chunks won’t leave it any opportunity to forge new branches, meaning you won’t get as much out of your herbs.
We told earlier how Chelsea Flower Show host and garden designer Joe Swift, 58, revealed how to lighten up your outdoor area while only spending a few quid.
As well as colourful plants and blooms, he advised Brits to incorporate different materials into their garden design.
And while most viewers of the show were fascinated by this year’s garden designs, some fans were also left swooning by Monty Don.
He was dubbed an “absolute fitty” by viewers who were distracted by the presenter’s dapperness.