Easy herbs to grow in a school setting

Learning objectives:

Herb | Plant | Grow | Seeds | Garden | Watering | Harvest | Flavour

Choosing the site

Many herbs originate from Mediterranean regions of the world. To grow these herbs well you need a sunny, sheltered site with free-draining soil. Heat and dryness also help to intensify the flavour. Check the pH

This describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and widely available in garden centres and online.

of your soil. Many Mediterranean herbs prefer alkaline soils and may not tolerate an acid soil

The acidity/alkalinity of soil is measured on a pH scale, which runs from 0 to 14. Neutral soil has a pH of 7. Acid (or ericaceous) soil has a pH of less than 7, and the lower the pH, the more acidic the soil. You can measure your soil pH using a simple testing kit. Acid-loving (ericaceous) plants include rhododendrons, camellias, heathers and blueberries. Adding lime to soil will reduce its acidity. A slightly acidic soil of pH 6.5 is the best general-purpose pH for gardens, allowing a wide range of plants to grow.

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Most herbs will survive the cool British winter temperatures, but not the wet. A free-draining soil is necessary to avoid roots rotting. However, herbs such as parsley, rocket, sweet cicely, sorrel, mint, chervil and even basil will be fine in some shade and enjoy the moisture-rich soil.

Design and layout of herb gardens

If you are lucky to have the space then you can create a herb garden at your school. Try to locate the herb garden where it is easily accessible for regular picking. A simple rectangular bed can be used for mixed herb planting. Place stepping stones throughout the bed to allow children to step amongst the herbs to pick them.

Planting

Ensure that each herb has enough growing space. Plant tall herbs such as bay or rosemary at the back of the bed, so they do not shade the other plants. Plant perennial

Perennials are plants that live for multiple years. They come in all shapes and sizes and fill our gardens with colourful flowers and ornamental foliage. Many are hardy and can survive outdoors all year round, while less hardy types need protection over winter. The term herbaceous perennial is used to describe long-lived plants without a permanent woody structure (they die back to ground level each autumn), distinguishing them from trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs.

herbs through a weed-suppressant membrane and leave clear soil areas to sow annual herbs; these will have to be sown each year.

Herbs in containers

Herbs grow well in containers. If space is limited, or your soil is not suitable for some herbs you can create the right conditions for herbs in a container. Use an old sink, a large pot, a tub trug – anything that will hold compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

. The larger the pot the better, this will hold on to moisture and nutrients

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth.

. Drill

A miniature furrow typically 1–5cm deep, made with a stick, hoe or rake. It is used for planting seeds or bulbs, and ensures they are positioned at the correct depth and spacing.

some holes in the base to allow for drainage. Use a soil-based compost

Soil-based compost is a potting compost that includes sterilised soil/loam in the mix. As loam contains sand, silt and clay, it does not rot down like organic materials, so adding soil/loam to compost ensures it is longer lasting – it is often used for shrubs in pots and will last 3–4 years without the need to be replaced.

with added grit for drainage.

Annual maintenance

Herbs in beds will need some annual maintenance, but are generally easy to maintain. Herbaceous herbs need to be cut back in the spring to encourage strong healthy growth. Woody herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme benefit from pruning any frost damaged or dead branches in late spring. Pruning after flowering will encourage new strong growth. Fertiliser is not generally necessary.

Basil ( Ocimum basilicum )
Basil is a half-hardy annual native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

to India, the Middle East and some Pacific Islands. It has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region for thousands of years, but only spread to Western Europe in the 16th Century. Use leaves fresh on pizzas and in tomato soups.

Sow from seed in mid-spring on a warm windowsill or greenhouse. Plant outside in late May or early June once frosts have passed.

Parsley ( Petroselinum crispum )
This is probably the best-known herb in the West. It is native to central and southern Europe. Parsley is rich in vitamin C and seems to enhance the flavour of food.

Parsley is a biennial

Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle over the course of two years. In the first year, biennials typically produce leaves and roots but no flowers. In the second year, they flower and produce seeds before dying. Some common biennials include foxgloves Digitalis, honesty Lunaria annua and viper's bugloss Echium vulgare.

plant. The seeds germinate and grow leaves in the first year, then flower, set seed and die in the second year. Soak the seeds in warm water then sow in spring in pots on a warm window-sill or greenhouse. Plant out when large enough to handle easily. Make a second sowing in late summer to continue production into autumn. Protect with cloches over winter.

Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum )
The leaves and ripe seeds

Ripe seeds are hard, usually yellow, brown or black, and contained in a seedpod that can be buff coloured, white or brown and dry. Ripe seeds usually eject the seedpod easily and naturally.

have two distinct flavours. The seeds are sweet and aromatic; the leaves are pungent and lemony. Coriander is native to southern Europe and the Middle East. It was introduced to northern Europe by the Romans. Seeds can be ground to add to curries and the leaves are chopped and added also to curries, stews and salads.

It is best sown direct in the soil outside in short rows starting in April to June. Seeds sown in pots tend to run to seed. If you do sow them inside, sow into modules

Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance.

then plant out when large enough.

Sage ( Salvia officinalis )
Salvia is derived from the Latin ‘to heal’. It was regarded as a medicinal herb by the Greeks to heal ulcers and snake bites. In Britain sage is most commonly used at Christmas in turkey stuffing.

Buy small plants in spring. Take cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.

from established plants

Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers.

in early summer. Plant sage amongst your cabbages – it is reputed to deter whitefly

Mint ( Mentha species )
Mint is a native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

of Europe and has been cultivated for its medicinal properties since ancient times. Chop mint leaves into chocolate mousse or make a refreshing mint tea.

Mints are invasive

Invasive plants are those that grow vigorously, spread rapidly and can out-compete other plants. Native, non-native and cultivated plants can all be invasive.

so are best planted in pots. These can be sunk into the ground. Mint can be propagated from underground runners as well as stems. Cut healthy runners into 5-7cm sections with a node

This is a point on a stem where new growth sprouts, usually leaves, buds, side-shoots or roots. The section of stem between two nodes is an internode. When taking nodal stem cuttings, you trim them just below a node at the base, as this is where new roots will sprout. With a few plants, especially climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle, stem cuttings produce roots from the internode, so are known as internodal cuttings.

(joint) in each section. Push the cuttings vertically into free-draining compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

(50% compost 50% grit or perlite

Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock which, when heated to high temperatures, expands to produce lightweight, micro-porous granules. It was traditionally added to compost to aid drainage and aeration, however, its manufacture, packaging and distribution has a big environmental impact, so locally-sourced grit or gravel is now preferred.

).Its best to lift and divide mint every few years.

Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis )
The Latin name means sea dew which may come from its habit of growing close to the sea and its blue, dew-like flowers. It was used to freshen the air in plague times. The leaves can be used to flavour pizza, bread and scones and are great with roast potatoes.

Buy rosemary in pots and plant in late spring. Semi-ripe cuttings

Semi ripe cuttings are taken from summer to mid-autumn (Jul-Sep) from healthy stems grown this season. The base of the cutting is firm, while the tip is still soft. Use for climbers, herbs, evergreen shrubs, conifers and hedging plants.

of rosemary can be taken in late summer and autumn.

Herbaceous (and some bulbous) plants can be propagated by division in the spring and autumn. Lift clumps of the herb and divide into smaller pieces, removing any sections of the original plant that appear old, damaged or dead. Replant healthy, young growth and discard older growth in the centre of the clump. This rejuvenates the plant and allows you to make more plants.

Marjoram ( Origanum majorana )
This is a Mediterranean plant which is closely related to and often confused with oregano. It has a milder and sweeter flavour than oregano and produces bushy mounds of pink or white flowers which are very popular with bees and butterflies.

Grow in containers in a sunny position.

Oregano ( Origanum vulgare )
Another Mediterranean plant which has a more spicy flavour to it. It is often used in Italian and Greek cuisine to add to pizzas and tomato dishes.

Buy plants in pots and plant in sunny position with free-draining soil.

Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum )
Chives are a member of the onion family and form small bulbs

These are fleshy, rounded, underground storage organs, usually sold and planted while dormant. Examples include daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lilies, onions and garlic. The term is often used to cover other underground storage organs, including corms, tubers and rhizomes.

, dying back below ground each winter. Chop the thin green leaves for food dishes to add an oniony flavour.

Chives can be grown from seed sown in pots indoors from March or outside from May. Seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed.

are slow growing and division of an established clump gives quicker results. Divide clumps every three to four years in spring.