Kirstie Allsopp - how to make a herb garden with the kids

Property expert-turned-crafty homemaker Kirstie Allsopp takes a break from dipping candles to share her kid-friendly guide to making a herb garden. This makes for a great rainy day activity and a fun introduction to gardening for little ones. Sage advice indeed...

You will need

- An apron for you and the kids

- Large bag/bucket of clean compost

- Set of children's gardening tools

- Window box - wood or metal

- 4 or 5 fresh herbs from the garden or potted from the supermarket

- 1 watering can or large jug of water

To make your herb garden...

Cover your kitchen table with old newspaper to avoid mess from the compost – and you should all wear aprons as you’re bound to get mucky!

Take your window box and pierce holes in the bottom. This will help water to drain out

I like to let the kids fill the boxes half full with fresh compost- they love getting their hands dirty!

Next, trowel through the compost to allow lots of air to flow through the soil

Once half full, get the kids to choose some herbs from the garden, or simply remove the herbs from their pots ready to plant inside the box

Each box should contain about five plants. Some of my favourites are: Basil, Mint, Chives, Coriander, Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage

Once you and your kids have chosen your herbs and arranged them in your box, allow them to fill the box up to the top and pack in the rest of the compost

Finally - the fun part - grab a watering can and sprinkle with water! Remember to choose a place for your herbs which has lots of natural sunlight

Persil small & Mighty has teamed up with Kirstie Allsopp to seek out the UK's 'miracle mums.' Log on to Persil.co.uk/minimiracles to enter the search and the chance to win a family holiday.

Feeling crafty?