Urban Herb Garden: Save Money, Boost Your Mood, and Eat Your Decor
This is a sponsored post in partnership with AVA Grows. You can read the sponsorship disclosure here.
City living is a thrill — it’s inspiring to be around so many motivated, diverse people set on making their dreams come true. But urban life can be a drain too. High costs of living, small apartments, and busy schedules mean there’s not much space (literally or figuratively) for gardening. But recently I decided a little organic greenery is exactly what my concrete jungle needs. To create a respite in my home, save money, and cut down on food waste, I’ve started an herb garden. 🌱
Buying packaged herbs is expensive and wasteful
I’m an avid cook, so I frequently use fresh herbs, but buying pre-cut herbs usually runs about $2-4 a bunch. Meanwhile, they often come in plastic packages which I’m really trying to cut down on. And then there are the portions—I almost never use the whole package since a little goes a long way and the rest goes bad before I can use it up. Knowing all this, I don’t pick up herbs as part of my regular shopping and then don’t have them on hand when I could use them.
Growing herbs is better for your wallet, meals, and home
Saving money
Buying potted herbs at my local Whole Foods cost me $2 each—the same price as buying the cut herbs in a package! And once my herbs get growing, I’ll be saving money on produce, not to mention cutting down on packaging and food waste.
Yummier meals
Fresh herbs elevate every meal—and just a little bit can make the whole dish. A sprinkle of fresh basil makes boxed pasta feel special. A sprig of rosemary pairs perfectly with roasted chicken and some fresh parsley makes soup more nourishing. Besides, we could all use more greens in our diet.
Mood-Boosting
And have you ever seen an interior design spread that didn’t have plants? On top of being a great decor piece, potted herbs are proven mood-boosters. A significant amount of scientific evidence suggests that being around greenery can stave off stress, elevate mood and improve cognitive function. According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, active interaction with indoor plants (like touching and smelling) can reduce physiological and psychological stress.
Getting started
The basil I bought needed some TLC so I rigged up a chopstick and some floss to help it get back on track.
You can start small! I decided to start with rosemary, basil, and sage since that’s what I buy most often. Your local grocery store likely sells small potted herbs that already have a head start for about $2. Replant them with some fresh soil into adorable pots (with drainage!) and boom, you’re done. If feeling unsure if it’s something you can keep up with, start with one of your favorite herbs and pick a few leaves off to add to your next home-cooked meal or cup of tea. The small pots are easy to move around and the herbs are simple enough to replace if your extended business trip leaves them neglected.
Travel often or your pad doesn’t get much sunlight?
AVA Grows
Check out the AVA Byte—a smart indoor garden that automates growing herbs and greens with compostable plant pods and just the right amount of water and light.
Planting my new herbs was a fun weekend project and they are already a great addition to my pad. In my small New York studio apartment, everything must have multiple uses, so I love that my herbs are 4-for-1: they save me money, look great, boost my mood, and I can eat them.
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