Hardy lemon balm retreats to its roots and waits for spring deep in the ground. However, the herbal plant cannot do completely without protection. Find out here when and how winter protection is recommended.

Lemon balm in a pot threatens to die from the cold - this prophylaxis helps

If the frost finds its way into the garden, the above-ground plant parts of lemon balm die off in the bed. Even the lowest temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius cannot harm the roots in the ground. However, this does not apply to herb plants in pots. Due to the exposed location of the root ball, it threatens to freeze through. To prevent this from happening, prudent hobby gardeners take the following precautions:

  • cut the branches back to the ground
  • carry the bucket in front of the south wall of the house
  • place on insulating material such as wood or styrofoam
  • Wrap the planter in bubble wrap
  • cover the substrate with leaf soil, straw or fir fronds
  • ideally relocate to a frost-free winter quarters

All protective measures are in vain if the lemon balm dries up due to frost. If the snow fails as a supplier of moisture, hardy lemon balm is threatened by drought stress. On frost-free days, both the plants in the bed and in the pot are watered.

Do not cover lemon balm in the bed

Well-established lemon balm in the bed is cut off just above the surface of the soil at the beginning of winter. Alternatively, leave the withered shoots until early spring and then prune them back. A cover is not required.

Seedbed needs winter protection

Since the lemon balm produces hardy seeds in autumn, there is nothing to be said against direct sowing in a sun-warmed bed. This has the advantage that extremely resilient young plants emerge from it next year. So that the seed gets through the cold season well, the ground is covered with coconut mats (€21.90) or brushwood. It is important to note that this winter protection is removed in good time next year.

tips and tricks

Is the sprawling root growth of a lemon balm threatening to burst the bucket? Then get the root ball out of the container in autumn and break it up with a spade or knife. Repot the loveliest segments with at least two shoots. This uncomplicated form of propagation also works very well in spring, just before new sprouting.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden