SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Starting Indoors:
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Keep at 65-70°F.
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow in spring or fall.
WHEN TO SET OUTSIDE
In springtime, after all danger of frost has passed.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Lemon balm is a handsome addition to herb and bee gardens. The Greeks named it Melissa, meaning bee or honey, for its abundant stash of nectar, and it was always associated with beehives. It spreads readily by rhizomes and seeds, so trim back hard after bloom or grow in a large pot to contain its rambunctious ways. The highly fragrant lemon-scented leaves make delicious teas, iced or hot, and add flavor to soups, sauces, and salad dressings. This member of the mint family also has medicinal uses as a calming herb and is excellent for anxiety and sleep issues. A short-lived perennial that renews itself with dropped seeds or by division.
Watering Details:
Provide about an inch or so of water per week, especially during dry spells. Do not allow the soil to stay saturated. Somewhat drought tolerant once fully established.
Soil pH:
Prefers acid soil, about 5.5-6.5, but adaptable to neutral
Fertilizer:
If soil is poor, mix in a couple of inches of compost prior to planting.