Grow Some Calming Mood Boosting Lemon Balm
Lift your spirits with the fragrance and refreshing flavor of lemon balm. This member of the mint family has long been known for reducing anxiety, calming digestion and improving one’s mood.
This perennial herb is hardy in zones 4 to 10. Unlike many of its mint family relatives, it spreads by seeds not underground rhizomes. So, remove the flowers before they set seed to prevent it from taking over your garden.
Grow lemon balm in full sun and moist well-drained soil. Harvest the leafy stems as needed and when possible right before flowering for maximum flavor. Regular harvesting encourages new growth for future cutting.
Use lemon balm for flavoring soups, stews, fish, pork and egg dishes. Save some for jams, teas and vinegars.
You’ll enjoy the best flavor when used fresh, but the fragrance remains after drying.
A bit more information: Make lemon balm or other edible herb vinegars with at least one part washed herb leaf stems and blossoms with 4 parts of white vinegar. Allow the herbs to steep in the vinegar for three to six weeks. Test, and once you have the desired flavor, strain the vinegar and place in a decorative bottle.
Related
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More