Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an incredibly vigourous herb that's ideal for infusing to make lemon tea.
Once you've sown it, the same plants will come back year after year, with new plants self seeding around your garden too.
Time from seed to plate: 12 weeks
Sowing Calendar
Sow
Whilst lemon balm is very robust once established, it needs a little TLC to get it started. Sow seeds Jiffy 7s or in small pots from March to May. Keep them somewhere warm inside, ideally in a propagator until the seeds sprout, which can be up to three weeks.
Sowing method: Propagating kit
Grow
Thin the emerging seedlings so one remains in each jiffy/pot.
Once the risk of frosts has passed, transfer the plants outside to your plot leaving 6in between each one. Alternatively grow them on in pots or a windowbox if you're short of space
Harvest
Pick the leaves as often as you need them - they'll soon grow back. Infuse a sprig in hot water for a delicious herbal balm tea.