Kids corner
Let’s Plant Some Herbs!
What is a herb?
A herb is a plant that usually dies back each year. It has leaves, seeds and flowers that can be eaten. Herbs are used for flavour in cooking, in herbal teas, potpourri and healing people. They are wonderfully fragrant. Some herbs are also utilised in medicine and have been used by people since the beginning of time.
Herbs are usually very easy to grow and when you brush past them in your garden, they give off a wonderful fragrant aroma that can trigger your senses, like “smell”, and if you taste them, another sense, “taste”. Growing herbs is a great way to share the garden-to-table experience.
You can purchase them in tubes or simply plant them from seed.
Ask your friends which herbs they are growing. They can be swapped from other gardens and will grow from a small plant with a root. What a great way of sharing.
Herbs can be used fresh or dried. Collecting and drying them is a great idea, ensuring you have a herb supply all year round. Ask a parent to have a hunt in the kitchen for some dried herbs. Open the top of the jar and have a smell. Do they smell sweet, spicy or hot? Which ones do you like? Which ones don’t you like?
You could choose a pot or a small space in your garden to create your own herb garden. Remember that your garden will need a sunny spot, and regular watering. Some herbs that you can grow include chamomile, lemon balm, mint, coriander, basil, oregano, aloe, garlic, lavender, parsley, rosemary, chives, anise, borage, fennel, lemongrass or thyme. Select just a few. You might choose them for having different coloured foliage, different shaped leaves, or just a variety of very different fragrances.
What you will need:
- Herbs of your choice
- Soil
- Container/section of garden
- String
- Wooden spoons
- Paint/waterproof markers
I chose some oregano, rosemary, thyme and sage and wrapped them together for a wonderful fragrant wand for a friend.
Have fun, and don’t forget to send in your photos of your herb pots or garden to: operations@opengardensvictoria.org.au
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