Seeds - Art Pack - Lemon Balm OG

FRESH 2024 SEEDS ARE BEING ADDED DAILY - CHECK BACK SOON

$5.99 

This item may be out of season or currently out of stock. Please check back.

Description: Immersing yourself in the healing aroma of Lemon Balm connects you to the goddesses of ancient Greece. The Melissas—a word that meant bees but came to refer to priestesses—grew this sacred plant around the Temple of Artemis in order to attract and care for honey bees and to honor the Greek goddess. The magical and medicinal properties of this aromatic plant are many, including reducing stress and boosting mental acuity. And still today it is planted near hives to benefit honey bees.

Not only is this herb a fantastic pollinator attracter, but the aroma that emanates from the patch is overwhelmingly lemony and smooth, seemingly more lemony than an actual lemon! Lemon balm has been clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress levels in the body as well as to boost the speed of mental performance. While your results may vary, there is no disputing that it makes a lovely tea; its leaves dry easily and quickly in any protected spot.

Pack Size: 200 seeds

Germination Rate: 5 - 14 days

Days to Maturity: 80

Latin Name: Melissa officinalis
Alternative Names: Melissa
Main Uses: Culinary, Tea, Fragrant
Zone Hardiness: Zone 3-4
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Height: 30 cm (12 inches)
Flower Color: White (insignificant)
Flowering Time: Mid-summer
Certified Organic: USDA Certified Organic
Germination: 5 - 14 days.
Pre-treatment: Store seeds in the fridge until ready to plant.
Sowing: Indoors: 4 - 6 weeks before last frost date. Sow 5 seeds per cell or plug. For best results, apply Sea Magic™ kelp from first watering. Apply a seedling-starter fertilizer such as Evolve Seedling once the second set of true leaves has appeared, and then alternate between the kelp and seedling starter until transplant.
Planting Depth: Lightly cover.
Planting Out: Plant in well-drained fertile soil (garden or container) once seedlings are established and risk of frost has passed.
Outdoors: Direct seed outdoors in late May, once the soil can be worked.
Growing in Containers: Well-suited to a medium-sized pot (8-12 inches).

Fertilizing (Containers): Add up to 25% quality compost to your potting mix. This plant loves a higher-nitrogen fertilizer - diluted fish fertilizer is an excellent organic choice, applied weekly.

Watering (Containers): Water deeply when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. During hot weather, check pots daily. The addition of up to 20% CocoEarth is an excellent organic method for managing water in pots; it holds several times its weight in water. This helps manage both over and under-watering!

Growing in Mixed Planters: Well-suited for larger mixed planters.

Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden bed recently amended with quality compost. No additional fertilizing is required.

Watering (Garden): Water daily for the first two weeks post transplanting. Plants usually hold their own once well established, but benefit from deep waterings in late summer and fall as plants go into dormancy.

Harvesting: Harvest leaves frequently, using sharp scissors.

Beneficials Attracted to this Plant: Bees love lemon balm, and act as great pollinators for garden fruits and vegetables!
Suitability for Indoors: Not ideal for indoors - must be trimmed regularly to keep plants vigorous.

Exposure: Full sun or grow lights.

What about Grow Lights? Simple fluorescent grow lights allow for year-round growth and productivity that would otherwise be impossible in our northern climate. We recommend the ultra-efficient and compact T5 units, which are inexpensive and easy to install. Leave lights on 16-18 hours per day to simulate summer daylight conditions.

Indoor Container Suggestions: Minimum 6" pot with excellent drainage. Avoid strawberry pots (those with multiple pockets) or other types of mixed planters.

Winter Fertilizing: Repot or refresh soil in fall, when bringing pots indoors. Add up to 25% quality compost. During the lower-light months (October-January), fertilize monthly with a balanced organic plant food. As light levels go up, and new growth emerges, increase fertilizing to bi-weekly. If growing under lights, fertilize bi-weekly right through winter. Soluble (non-organic) fertilizers are not recommended, as these can cause burning or difficult-to-manage changes in the soil.

Winter Watering: Water deeply when top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Check soil moisture two to three times per week.

Share this

Pin Post Plus

May we suggest...