If you want to give your store-bought herb plant more space to thrive, you might consider transferring it wholesale from the pot to the garden.
But before doing so, TikToker Amanda (@natures_neighbors) has demonstrated a way to make your money stretch further and get a few more plants.
@natures_neighbors how im turning one basil plant into 10 to save money and maximize my harvest! . #spring2025 #veggiegarden #vegetablegarden #homestead #minihomestead #gardensoftiktok #gardentok #gardenhack #gardentips #herbs #gardentiktok ♬ Can I Call You Rose? - Thee Sacred Souls
Not only does this spread the wealth, but it can also helpfully shield your garden from destructive insects.
"This is a great tip," one commenter said.
The scoop
As the clip shows, there is usually more than one herb in the pot. Why not break them up and spread them around?
Amanda's three-inch container of basil contains 10 plants, so she carefully separates them and places them in the corners of a raised garden bed. Immediately, she's getting more bang for her buck.
Amanda notes that some plants won't tolerate the separation as well, so always do your research before trying the hack.
How it's helping
Basil contains linalool and eugenol compounds, which are natural insect repellents. While there might be other plants that are better at keeping bugs away, basil can still be effective, especially when placed on the outside edge of a raised bed.
Rosemary, mint, thyme, and lavender are also excellent options if you're looking for delicious herbs that also repel insects.
Pesticides harm beneficial organisms, especially pollinators. For instance, a 2017 study published in Science determined that neonicotinoid insecticides played a role in honey bee population decline.
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How much time do you spend taking care of the plants inside or outside your home? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Several hours a week 🧑🌾 Pesticides can linger on fruits, vegetables, and herbs, creating health risks for those who consume them. Biodiversity loss, water contamination, air and soil pollution, and human and animal health risks are all consequences of broad pesticide use.
Spreading out a single pot is also an excellent way to get the most out of your money and grow more plants from one container. The bunched-up plants will compete with each other for nutrients and water, which may cause them to die prematurely.
Growing your own food also avoids processed products, saves money at the grocery store, and improves mental health.
What everyone's saying
Simple tips like these go a long way, and people appreciated Amanda's hack.
One commenter already learned the lesson the hard way: "I [definitely] did not separate and [definitely] think I planted too many near our tomatoes."
Another response post read: "That's an awesome idea to plant the basil in the corners."
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