Herbs idea grows at Down to Earth expo

For the girls of Neeah, the Down to Earth Expo was a perfect fit for their handmade miniature herb gardens.

Hannah Temara, Anna Luke-Stewart and Caitlyn Donaghy, all 17, are students of Otumoetai College and created Babylon gardens through their Young Enterprise business Neeah.

The competition has long ended, but the three girls have carried on their enterprise, selling both hanging and sitting Babylon gardens of thyme, mint, oregano and rosemary.

Anna described the Babylon gardens as herbs wrapped in moss that could be hung in a kitchen or around the home.

"We get the herbs then we take them out of their pots, shape them tightly into a ball, wrap the moss and string around them until it's perfect. It's quite difficult to get it right."

The girls got the idea from an episode of Our First Home and are selling their product on their Facebook page.

Bay of Plenty Times event manager Dayna Comeskey said the Down to Earth event had a positive vibe throughout and had attracted great feedback from both the public and exhibitors.

"It's been really, really good. We've had a really consistent flow of people the whole time. The feedback has been fantastic with everyone really excited about 2016.

Hannah Temara, 17, and Anna Luke-Stewart, 17, of Neeah have been selling their Babylon gardens. Photo/Andrew Warner

"We're looking forward to next year."

The workshops had been well-attended, especially that of MyNoke worm farm which had people standing in the aisles to listen.

"They were full houses," Ms Comeskey said. "The kids' craft workshops went really well, as well."

"I'm really happy with the support we've had from the community and everyone who has come along."