Introduction
Many herbs we use come from the Mediterranean region. This means
that they prefer a sunny position with a well-drained soil. So
choose the most sunny position you can. If the herb garden is in an
enclosed area, choose a south-facing site. If the soil is heavy
- which means it can become too waterlogged or too dry - add compost
and grit to help drainage. Do not add peat for two reasons:
- It makes the soil acidic. Most herbs don't like acid soil.
- The World's peat bogs are being used up. We don't want to add to
the problem!
Unfortunately most schools are unable to choose the best site for
making a herb garden. It is usually is tucked away and not wanted for
any other purpose.
See the next page for more hints on
making a garden.
Experiences with younger children
One school in West Norfolk, Reffley Community School,
decided to convert a small area outside the nursery unit into a herb
garden for use by the children in the Nursery and Reception classes -
the early years pupils. When established, the garden will be
used by KS2 pupils in their study of The Romans, The Tudors, Ancient
Greece, or local history study.
Six raised beds, each measuring 9'x9' were formed by railway
sleepers and the area between the beds was paved to allow easy access
in all weather conditions.
The school received funding from Masterfoods (King's Lynn)
to carry out the project.
Year 6 pupils volunteered to be 'gardeners' and prepared the ground
by lightly digging the soil and removing the weeds.
Because the site was in a lot of shade, careful thought went into
choosing suitable herbs, both from the point of view of safety and
shade tolerance. Norfolk Herbs, near
Dereham, provided useful
advice, and initially, 14 herbs were bought at a generous discount
from them.
Before planting some compost was mixed in with the soil. Two
sessions were allocated to the planting of the herbs and the Nursery
children, aged 3-4 years, carried this out with help from the older
pupils. The older children have agreed to carry on as gardeners
to maintain the garden for the younger pupils. There will also
be opportunities for the little ones to help.
If you are not able to make a purpose-built herb garden, then you
can still grow herbs. Try planting some in containers. However,
the potted herbs will need to be looked after on a regular basis.
It would be worth contacting a herb grower in your area for advice on
suitable plants and to ensure that what is supplied is safe for
children to touch.
Experiences with older children
Another school, Kirk Hallam, in Derbyshire, created a herb
garden for use by its pupils on GNVC Land & Environment programme.
The pupils landscaped the garden and they grew herbs from seeds they
planted. The herbs were later sold commercially within the school
community.
As well as growing herbs, the pupils grew other plants, including
vegetables which were sold as produce at their Annual Show, and
included items of food prepared and cooked by the pupils, using herbs
from the school garden.
The Annual Show was community based and had exhibits
from the feeder schools. It included a section specifically aimed at
using herbs. The pupils created posies, collections of fresh herbs,
herbs planted in containers or a jar of homemade jelly or sauce based
on herbs.
If you would like to see the herb garden made by pupils at KS 3/4 then log on to the website of Kirk Hallam Community Technology
College
www.kirkhallam.derbyshire.sch.uk
Look for the rural dimension pages/Annual show
|
