The current community project for the Old Alabama Town Herb Society is at T.S. Morris Elementary School in Montgomery. It entails a monthly meeting at the school with Mr. Freeman’s fifth grade class. We meet the first Friday of the month and expose the kids to herbs, plants in general, the environment and how we influence it, and the love of growing things to eat.

In November’s meeting we discussed botanical names, good soil vs. poor soil, and what the plants need to survive. The kids planted 3 basil plants (Osimum basilicum) and 3 snake plants (Sanseveria trifasciata) in good potting soil, and 3 of each in very poor playground dirt. Some kids could not get past the thought that both were just plain dirt, and were very hesitant to use their hands. (Reminder to self: Bring gloves next time). They were asked to observe and document the progress through the year of both plants in the different soils. Hopefully the basil will provide us with enough to adorn our pizza in the spring.

Many thanks to Old Alabama Town Herb Society members Shell Payton and Jane McCarthy for their hands on help with the kids, and to Ms. Easterling and Mr. Freeman for giving us guidance in this project.