There are two occasions when hobby gardeners cut back lemon balm. They primarily use scissors to harvest the aromatic leaves. In addition, a complete pruning is due in autumn. Find out the details here.

Cutting for the harvest - that's what melissa is all about

Lemon balm is one of the particularly vigorous herbal plants. Lovingly cared for, she delivers up to 4 harvests per season. How to handle it correctly:

  • always cut back the branches to a height of 10 centimeters shortly before flowering
  • take action in the early hours of the morning when the dew has evaporated
  • always use freshly sharpened, meticulously disinfected tools

Knowledgeable hobby gardeners immediately conserve a harvest surplus by drying, freezing or pickling. In this way, lemon balm can be kept for up to 12 months so that it can be used as an ingredient in refreshing drinks and hot or cold dishes. In addition, the leaves are used in nature-related medicine.

Autumn pruning of lemon balm - that's how it works

When the frost knocks on the garden door, the lemon balm retreats to its hardy rhizome. The branches, flowers and leaves have done their job for this year. You can choose to cut back the shoots before or after winter.

Anyone who feels disturbed by the withered appearance should cut back close to the ground before the first frost. Otherwise, the branches remain on the plant as additional winter protection until just before the next shoot.

Harvest seeds before cutting

Forward-looking hobby gardeners secure a supply of seeds for propagation in good time before cutting back in autumn. The seed is in the brown fruits. These are picked before they burst open and scatter the seeds to the four winds. Stored dry and cool, sow the next generation of vital lemon balm indoors from March.

Alternatively, sow in warm autumn soil. This has the advantage that particularly robust seedlings thrive from the seeds.

tips and tricks

Do you with a heavy heart go without the refreshing treat of lemon balm during the winter? Then simply cultivate the aromatic lemon herb as a houseplant. You can harvest the delicious leaves all year round on the sunny windowsill or in the partially shaded corner.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden