CREATE your own windowsill herb garden and you will always have fresh ingredients to hand – for a fraction of the cost of buying them.

I’ve rooted out the best deals and hacks to grow a bountiful crop on a budget. So get planting with these handy tips . . . 

SAGE ADVICE: You don’t need much space, just a sheltered sunny spot — indoors or outside. Choose three or four varieties that are versatile and common recipe components. This way you cut the need to buy packs from supermarkets, typically around £1 a pop.

EX-SEEDINGLY TASTY: For packets of seeds, such as basil, parsley and mint, at under £1 go to SimplySeed.co.uk. Wilko sells a grow-your-own kit for £1, with seeds and pots to grow basil, chives and parsley.

If you don’t fancy your chances of growing from seeds, Asda sells a range of living herbs without pots from 65p.

GO COMPOST: Compost helps plants grow from seed and improves the quality of soil. Buy peat-free to help the planet. Wilko’s multi-purpose compost is £3.50 for 25 litres.

Or you can make your own using everyday household waste, such as grass cuttings, coffee grounds and fruit and vegetable peelings. The Royal Horticultural Society has an online guide.

HERB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: You can start your seedlings off in washed old yoghurt pots or other tubs destined for the recycling pile When the plants start to take off, poundshop.com has a £1.50 herb garden wooden crate, which is the perfect size to perch on windowsills.

Flying Tiger also has a fab selection of stylish pots, including metal holders for £1. Buy one for each herb and sit them in a tray — B&Q sells a rectangular terracotta trough saucer for £2.67. Or search your home for containers you can repurpose. Just make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom.

SLING this jungle-print tote over your shoulder for an instant shot of joy. It is half-price at £7.50, down from £15 at Accessorize.

INDULGE your skin with this PS hydrating rose sheet face mask, 80p from Primark.

PREP ahead for a fish and chip supper with the new Harry Ramsden’s meal deal from Iceland.

The salt and vinegar jumbo cod two-pack is £5 and Maris Piper chip shop chips are £2 for 1kg – but get both for £5 when bought together until July 5.

GRAHAM & Green has the perfect lemonade pitcher with this fun jug, for £17.95. Or bag this similar one from Flying Tiger, for £5.

EVERY two weeks Aldi picks six fruit or veg items to offer at lower prices, making it easier to feed the family healthily.

Nature’s Pick cherries are currently 79p for 200g, down from the usual cost of £1.59.

SPRUCE up fences, sheds or decking with a lick of paint.

B&Q is offering three for two on exterior paint across a range of brands until Monday.

SAVE on a TRESemme hair dryer, now £25, down from £30, at poundshop.com.

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

You could be missing out on £624 if you're on Universal Credit - how to check

I can’t afford to buy food after I was told to pay back £2,000 of benefits

My neighbour's put up a 6ft fence to keep me out… but I think I can go in

I'm homeless with 3 dogs as the flat the council offered won't allow pets

©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)

Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/