I love herbs. When I buy them in packets, it seems they are ludicrously overpriced and go bad quite quickly. I keep them in the fridge, but perhaps there is a way to make them last longer? I have tried buying potted plants but either 1. I use the herbs so much the plant is depleted after a very short while, or 2. If I try to be sparing, the plants tend to die anyway.
Does anyway have advice on cheaply keeping a constant supply of fresh herbs (particularly rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley).
Best Answer
Agree that planted herbs are great but you say you've tried that. I kill about 1/4 to 1/2 what I plant, but those that live thrive and get bigger. After a big push just over a year ago I have an endless supply of thyme, rosemary, lemon balm and a dozen sage varieties. I do think it helps if you use them sparingly in their first season so they can get established.
I don't know where you live, but if in a city or anywhere near a foreign enclave you might find herbs at an Asian market or other international market much cheaper. It's $4-6 for tiny plastic container of cilantro or mint at my local grocery, for instance, but at the Vietnamese and Chinese markets it's usually 0.50 - $1.25 for a big bunch.
To make any leafy green herb last longer in the short term wrap them in a wet paper towel and put that in a plastic bag.
You can freeze what you don't use in small ice cube trays for easy serving / use later. I especially like this for basil and mint. You can also buy pre-frozen herbs.
You can also dry them - air dry upside down, accelerate by drying them in the oven on low (very low) or use a food dehydrator.