Students enjoy lessons in herb gardening

Students clipped fresh herbs to add to their soap recipe.

Several students took the opportunity to learn how to grow their own herbs during a class held by Extension Agent, Donna Fryman, last Thursday evening.

Donna explained that plants such as basil, sage and chives can be easily grown in raised beds and container gardens and the different ways fresh herbs can be used in cooking.

After some lively conversation of how to make your own vanilla to save money, Donna explained the projects each student would complete.

The hands on learning got underway as each student snipped fresh herbs from the plants Donna had grown over the summer.

While some melted a soap- base and stirred in some freshly cut sage and a little olive oil to make soap, others mixed sea salt and basil for a homemade body scrub.

In the meantime a few others headed to the kitchen to mix up a batch of basil cheese scones, salad greens and an herb salad dressing.

With each project completed, Donna explained how to harvest and preserve the herbs while the class enjoyed the salad and scones and the aroma of fresh basil and sage that filled the room.

Each student went home with their soap, body scrub, some scones and a pair of Ball Herb culinary scissors, recipes and extra information to help them get started with an herb garden of their own.