Grow more basil than you'll need from supermarket produce using gardener's hack

A simple gardening trick shared by a popular TikTok gardener is helping Brits turn a couple of supermarket basil plants into a season-long supply of fresh, fragrant herbs, and all it takes is a bit of smart separation and savvy pruning. Joe, from the @JoesGarden account on TikTok, has revealed how he's grown "more fresh basil than we've known what to do with" every summer for the past five years using just a couple of cheap shop-bought plants as a starting point.

The key to the trick, he explained, is understanding that what looks like a single basil plant in the pot is actually made up of several stems, each one a separate plant. "Pop your basil out of its pot and gently start to separate away small clusters of plants," he said in the viral video.

Once separated, the individual clusters should be replanted into larger containers filled with high-quality compost, giving them room to grow independently and healthily.

But the real secret to getting an endless basil harvest lies in how you pick it.

Rather than plucking off leaves one at a time, Joe suggests identifying the tiny side shoots growing along the stem and cutting just above them when harvesting.

"This will allow those side shoots to keep growing and growing, giving you far more to harvest for your cooking all summer long," he added.

The method not only encourages bushier, fuller plants but also ensures they continue to produce new growth throughout the season.

And while basil is a warm-weather herb that tends to die back in autumn, Joe's shared another tip for preserving the plants for the colder month.

Before the plants die off, take cuttings and place them in water.

Within a week, roots will begin to form, allowing you to pot them on and overwinter them indoors. Come spring, those same plants can be moved back outside to start the whole process again.

For gardeners looking to save money, avoid waste, and enjoy homegrown flavour in their cooking, Joe's technique is a game-changer.

With a little care and clever trimming, that £1.50 supermarket basil could be the gift that keeps on giving.