Running Bug Farm
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • English Angora Rabbits
  • About
  • Resources
  • Reviews

Starting Lemon Balm From Seed

5/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a calming herb in the mint family with a delicate lemon flavor.  It is both a culinary & medicinal herb.  It is often used for sleeping problems, menstrual cramps, gastrointestinal problems such as gas & nausea, urinary spasms & nervous agitation.  It can also be added to skin treatments for problems such as cold sores.

The chopped fresh leaves of lemon balm can be tossed into a salad or added to a dish to add a lemony zest to sweet dishes such as fruit salads, drinks, custards & sorbets.  It also pairs well with tangy dishes adding a lemony zest.   Like most herbs, it can be used to make herb butter & added to sauces & marinades.  It makes for a great addition to poultry stuffing, lamb, pork & fish. It combines well with allspice, bay leaves, mint, pepper, rosemary, thyme, chervil, pepper & parsley.  Be sure to add your lemon balm (or any other fresh herbs with essential oils) to the end of cooking.  High heat can damaged the essential oils & reduce the flavor.

Lemon balm is a pick & come again herb which produces well when heavily picked. Harvest in mid to late afternoon when the oils are strongest & they are at their most aromatic. Leaves should be handled delicately as they tend to bruise & turn black.  Lemon balm grows best in well drained rich soil & is sensitive to frost. If you let your lemon balm go to seed, it will easily self sow or you can save the seed to plant in a new location.  It does not produce runners like mint, but will easily spread as seeds mature.  Keeping the plant trimmed will reduce dropped seeds & keep the plant healthy & bushy.

To dry, cut at the base, lightly tie together & hang to dry in a cool dry location free from sun & bugs or put into your food dehydrator & follow the directions for your machine. Once dry store in glass jars. You can crush it by hand or add it a food processor (best to remove the stems first). Seeds should be harvested after they begin to turn brown. Cut stem & place in a paper bag to collect the seeds.

Temperature for Germination
: 20°C (68°F).
Direct Sow: After all danger of frost, or start indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost.
Size: 24" - 36"
Hardiness: Hardy from zone 5 and above.
Sun: Full - Part Shade
Water: Moderate
Seed Spacing: 3 to 4 seeds per 12”
Seed Planting Depth: Lightly cover seed (Approx. 1/8").
Row Spacing: 12"
Days to Germination: 10 - 14
Thin: To one plant when plants have 4 leaves.






Starting Blue Podded Shelling Peas From Seed
Starting Catnip From Seed
Starting Cilantro (Coriander) From Seed
Starting Cocks Comb (Cleosia) From Seed
Starting Dill From Seed
Starting Erlene's Green Cotton From Seed
Starting Hibiscus From Seed
Starting Holy Basil (Tulsi) From Seed
Starting Kale From Seed
Starting Mixed Cotton From Seed 
Starting Purple Podded Pole Beans From Seed
Starting Red Foliated White Cotton From Seed
Starting Sea Island Brown Cotton From Seed
Starting Spinach From Seed
Starting Sunflowers From Seed
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture Hi I'm Jen. I run all the day to day tasks both inside & out. I'm the person who answers your emails & processes your orders. To all of our animals I am a walking feed bag. I have the best job ever - seriously :o)

    Picture Hi, I'm John. I take care of most of the manly man stuff that always need doing on our farm. Important stuff like posing for pictures so that Jen can post them on our website. I'm the guy who makes sure all those packages get into the mail on time.... Gotta get back to work!

    Categories

    All
    Angora Rabbit Care
    Book Corner
    Garden Growing Guide
    Homesteading: The Quest For A Simple Life
    Recipes

    Archives

    March 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    March 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    April 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    January 2011
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    November 2008

    RSS Feed

    Amazon Associates Disclosure

    Running Bug Farm is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to amazon.com

    Copyright

    You're welcome to link to Running Bug Farm or use a single image with a brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited. Feel free to pin on Pinterest!

Running Bug Farm, West Union, WV 26456 | © 2008-2018 All Rights Reserved
RunningBugFarm.com

✕