This course aims to familiarise you with the use and culture of what are traditionally the most common herb plants. It should provide you with a sound framework upon which you will be able to develop your knowledge of herbs. 

What topics will you cover:

• Course Induction. Introduction to plants – common terminology 
  • Why herbs? – the benefits of using and growing them 
• Herb recognition and properties. Herbs for health. Culinary uses. 
• Growing herbs – types of herbs and their preferred growing conditions 
• How to grow?  
  • growing in a small space/being resourceful/reusing and recycling 
  • growing from seed and looking after your plant 
• Safe use of herbs 
• Herbs in different cultures 
• Sharing recipes 
• My favourite herb – own research and presentation 
• Celebrations – sharing your achievement: demonstrating your plant, or the photos of your plant/sharing dishes with herb ingredients/discussing next steps.

By the end of the course you will be able to:  

• Grow a herb from seeds and look after it 
• Recognise 3 common herbs 
• Name 3 herbs that have medicinal properties 
• Know which herbs require a sunny position and less watering 
• Know why I should pick leaves regularly 
• Know 3 herbs that I can make tea with 
• Know how to encourage leaf vs. flower/seed growth 
• Use 3 different herbs in my cooking 
• Use a new recipe including herbs 
• Know which herbs grow well together  
• Be resourceful and eco-friendly, and reuse various containers for my growing 
• Understand the importance of encouraging biodiversity 
• Plant on my balcony or terrace to encourage bees/butterflies.

What kind of activities will I be doing? 

• You will learn about commonly used herbs and their properties.  
• Each week, we will introduce you to a different herb, discussing its health benefits, how to use it in cooking, and how to grow it at home.  
• After the interactive theoretical part of the session, you will have the opportunity to grow a herb from seed or cuttings in a small pot, which you can take home to nurture.  
• This informative and relaxing class will also allow you to discover how growing plants contributes to our wellbeing and how knowledge of plants helps us feel more connected to nature. 
• During the course, we will discuss the relationship between humans and plants. We will talk about the benefits of plants for our health and what we can do to encourage biodiversity and sustainability for the future of our planet. 
• We will use herb pictures, worksheets, handouts and PowerPoints with images and useful websites. 

What will I need to bring? 

You don’t need to any special equipment for this course – just an interest in herbs!  

We will provide you with: 

• Small pots and plastic containers 
• Compost 
• Seeds  
• Potted herbs or herb cuttings 
• Plant labels

Will I get feedback? 

You will get feedback in all group discussions. There will be opportunities to share knowledge, exchange recipes, and discuss information We can give individual feedback on your journal.  

What could I do next? 

After completing the herb growing course, you’ll be equipped to confidently identify, cultivate, and utilize herbs, potentially leading to a thriving herb garden, culinary skills enhancement, or even a career in horticulture or herbalism.