healthy food is firmly on schools' agendas thanks to chef Jamie Oliver and his school dinner campaign. Many children are used to tasting salty processed foods, but Jamie recommends introducing children to the flavours of herbs used in fresh meals. Since children are generally keen to try something they have had a hand in preparing, clubs can help by growing their own herbs - no garden required!
A FEW FACTS
Whatever your club's facilities are like, you can grow herbs - it's just a matter of choosing the right ones to suit your circumstances. Herbs can be grown outside in gardens, containers, window boxes and even hanging baskets. Inside, they can be grown on a windowsill in pots, saucers and jam jars, in or out of season.
You can grow different varieties together in pots, as long as they require similar care, such as a sunny position. Remember to turn windowsill containers from time to time so that plants are evenly exposed to the light.
When it's time to harvest your herbs, you can encourage parents to take some home for the whole family to try, or use them in cooking activities at the club. They can be preserved through drying or freezing.
Basil
Basil has a distinctive taste, and there are several varieties to choose from. It goes well with tomato dishes, and is often used in pasta sauces.
You can grow basil from seed or buy it as a small plant. Some varieties, sweet basil for example, can grow up to three feet high outside, but it will die off in cold weather.
Slugs and snails love basil grown at ground level. For a harmless repellent, crush egg shells and leaving a ring of them around each plant.
Outside, the plant prefers well-drained soil and a sunny position. Inside, basil needs bright light and a warm place. Pinching out new growths regularly encourages bushiness and prevents flowering - the plant dies shortly after flowers appear.
Parsley
Parsley is high in vitamins A and C, and it is a good source of iron and calcium. A traditional garnish, it can also be used raw in salads, or it can be added to sauces for flavour. Parsley sauce is often used as an accompaniment for fish. This herb is particularly easy to grow inside and outside, from seed or plant, in a sunny position.
Spearmint
A sprig of spearmint can be placed in the water when cooking peas or boiled potatoes. It can also be used to make mint sauce, generally served with vegetables or lamb. The leaves add an interesting flavour to green salads, and fruit salads too.
This herb is grown from a small plant. Once established, you can take cuttings - keep them in a vase of water until the roots grow down, then plant them into pots. They prefer a shady position and moist soil. You can try other mints too, but be warned before tasting that the 'pennyroyal'
variety has an extra strong peppermint flavour, which can be a shock for the unprepared!
Chives
Chives are sometimes grown as decorative plants for their purple or pink flowers, but if the chives are to be eaten, the buds should be cut off.
Chopped chives can be used raw to flavour salads and sandwiches, and can also be added to plain or cheese omelettes.
Chives can be grown from seeds or plants. They prefer a sunny spot, and must be kept damp, so water well.
Sage
Sage is easily grown from seed in a sunny spot. It can be sewn straight into the ground outside, or in windowsill trays. Plants can be transferred to their own pots as they mature.
The green variety has a stronger flavour than the purple. It is also very fragrant. Children can release the scent by rubbing the leaves between their fingers before smelling.
Sage is used in stuffing and dumplings and can be used to flavour nut roasts or pork.
Sweet cicely
This herb is only suited to the garden and should be grown from seed.
However, since it should be planted in shade, sweet cicely may thrive in awkward areas that may otherwise be left empty, such as under the cover of trees.
It can be used to sweeten sour stewed fruit such as rhubarb and apples, in the place of sugar, or in sugar-free jam recipes.
Miranda Walker is a playwork trainer who owns Playtime out-of-school club in Cullompton, Devon
Further information
* Read instructions on seed packets and plants carefully.
* For information on harvesting, preserving and cooking visit:
* www.amagickgarden.com
* www.tastefulgarden.com
* www.hdra.org.uk/organicgardening/ gh_herbs.htm
