Seeds - Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a charming herb. As early as the Middle Ages, people said that it comforts the heart and blows away sadness. But balm, with its friendly, fresh aroma, is a true delight even when you aren't feeling blue. While we humans prefer the lemon-scented leaves of the plant, bees and bumblebees are drawn to the nectar of its beautiful blossoms. Its Latin name is derived from the Greek "melissa," meaning honeybee, and indicates that lemon balm was known as a bee-attracting plant centuries ago.
Properties
| Plant information | |
|---|---|
| year-round | |
| Light feeder | |
| Melissa officinalis | |
| 50 - 80 cm | |
| perennial | |
| Green | |
| For teas and for seasoning food. Very decorative in mixed bed and balcony plantings. | |
Planting instructions on the envelope
Lemon balm seeds should be started indoors on a windowsill at the beginning of March. After the last frosts in May, they can be planted outdoors. Young lemon balm prefers a sunny and slightly sheltered spot. It likes humus-rich and nutrient-dense soil, as well as regular watering without creating waterlogging. The fresh leaves and young shoot tips are harvested. If you want to put away a winter supply, cut the leaves before flowering begins.
Detailed planting instructions: Lemon balm
Of course, you can also use a pot for sowing. A typical window box that hangs on a balcony, however, is less suitable. Lemon balm grows splendidly and therefore needs space; such a box quickly becomes too small. The location doesn't matter much to this plant, as long as it is not too windy and there is at least partial shade. The more sun, the better. The soil in which this balm is to grow is secondary. Whether neutral, enriched with a little lime, or even acidic, the balm actually feels at home everywhere. If the soil in that spot is naturally a bit moist, install a simple drainage system. It goes without saying that waterlogging is not good for delicate lemon balm.
A little compost to start
At the beginning, when you sow the balm, you can enrich the soil with a little compost. However, make sure that this compost contains minerals, which are good for the balm. In the first few weeks, when the little plants are still young, you should prevent the soil from drying out completely. Growing lemon balm likes to be kept reasonably moist at all times. Too much wetness, however, is not okay. Only when the young shoots are firmly established can they tolerate longer periods of drought. However, you must ensure that these do not last forever. If it is hot and dry for too long, you must provide relief with a watering can or garden hose.
No fertilizing and proper harvesting
By and large, these are all the requirements that lemon balm needs. Beyond the mentioned necessities, "less is more" actually applies to this plant. For instance, it is not at all necessary to fertilize beyond the initial period. As for the harvest, you can help yourself whenever you like, provided the leaves are a nice green and large enough. The stems are also suitable for consumption. Lemon balm is most aromatic when harvested in sunny warmth, as the content of essential oils is particularly high then. If you want to ensure that the lemon balm sprouts multiple times a year, cut the stems back just before flowering begins. Make the cut a hand's width above the ground. Perform the "regular" pruning after flowering or shortly after the start of spring, when the balm begins to sprout.
Almost self-sufficient
For a kitchen herb that originally comes from warmer climates, lemon balm is quite undemanding and easy to care for – yes, in a sense, it is even self-sufficient. At least, as long as all other factors are right. You only need to take care of it for the weeks after sowing. Otherwise, there isn't much to do, except look forward to the extremely tasty results of the harvest. The complete winter hardiness without special protection is also a nice advantage. The greatest danger to this balm is powdery mildew, which disappears after pruning. If insects take over the plant, curd soap, for example, is a great remedy (e.g., for aphids). For cicadas and bugs, you have to go after them with insecticides.
