2025 has been another rich and rewarding year at Jekka’s, filled with learning, sharing and a continued love of herbs in all their forms. From media appearances and writing, to welcoming visitors onto the farm for master classes, herb days and open days, this year has been about connection; with plants, with people and with the wider natural world.
Whether you visited us in person, followed along from afar, read one of Jekka’s articles or planted a new herb inspired by something you saw or heard, thank you for being part of our herb-loving community. Here’s a look back at the year, season by season.
January 2025 in Jekka's Herb Garden
Read more about Jekka’s Herb Garden in the blogs on the garden in both spring, summer and late-summer as well as a time-line to see its evolution.
Spring 2025
Spring began with plenty of energy and excitement as we welcomed visitors back to the herb farm.
Love Your Weekend
Earlier in the year, Jekka appeared on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, talking about love potions and the herbs traditionally associated with romance and wellbeing. It was a joy to share herbal folklore, history and practical knowledge with a national audience. You can watch the episode again on ITVX: Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh – Series 7, Episode 5 (at approx. 54 minutes).
Try Jekka's love potions for yourself; find the recipes here.
Jekka on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh
Medicinal Herb Days
In April, we launched our first ever Herb Days, focusing on the theme of Medicinal Herbs. These days offered a deeper look into the traditional and contemporary uses of medicinal plants, and it was wonderful to see such enthusiasm from those who joined us. We had wonderful tours, talks and demonstrations from Jekka as well as Medicinal Herbalist Bee McGovern, Chef and Writer Jenny Chandler, Aromatherapist Claire Goulding and Illustrator Hannah McVicar. You can see the event here.
Following the success of these events, we are delighted to be launching Herb Days again in 2026. Read more about Jekka's May Herb Days.
Jekka's April Medicinal Herb Days
Spring Master Classes
Spring also saw the return of our much-loved Master Classes at the herb farm. This year we ran sessions on: Herb Garden Design, Medicinal Herbs for Stress & Anxiety, Botanical Screenprinting, How to Use Herbs and How to Grow Herbs.
It was a pleasure to share our knowledge and experience with so many herb enthusiasts. We especially enjoy hearing from you afterwards; about flourishing gardens, successful propagation and herbs being used confidently at home. Bookings are now open for our Spring 2026 Master Classes.
Jekka's How to Grow Herbs Master Class
Summer 2025
Summer was a vibrant and sociable season, with pollinators buzzing and the farm full of visitors.
Pollinator Herb Day
In June, we ran our second Herb Day of the year, this time focusing on Bee & Pollinator Herbs. These days highlighted the crucial role herbs play in supporting bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, and shared practical advice for creating pollinator-friendly gardens. We were delighted to be joined by Beekeeper Richard Rickitt, Pollinating expert Jean Vernon and award winning garden designer Paul Hervey-Brookes.
Jekka's June Bee & Pollinator Herb Days
Group Visits
Throughout the summer months, we were delighted to welcome many group visits, including garden clubs, horticultural societies and special interest groups; including from a Matter of Taste Food Tour from Australia. Sharing the farm and our passion for herbs with groups remains one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
“Visiting Jekka’s Herb Farm was truly inspiring. We learned so much, and Jekka’s passion and knowledge made the day both informative and enjoyable.”
If you’re interested in organising a group visit in 2026, please complete our online enquiry form via the website; found here.
2025 Group Visits including: RHS Students, Newham Garden Club, Society of Landscape & Garden Designers, Matter of Taste Food Tour, Bath & Beyond Garden Club and the Society of Botanical Artists.
Open Days & NGS
We held several Open Days throughout the year, including a special National Garden Scheme Charity Open Day on Saturday 2nd August 2025, which raised £1,000 for their chosen charities. We have also been joined by stands from the Avon Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust and the South Gloucestershire Beekeepers’ Association, adding to the sense of community and shared purpose.
Jekka's August Open & Charity Days
Cbeebies
During the summer, Jekka was delighted to be recorded for CBeebies, talking all about mint and helping to inspire a younger audience to learn where plants come from and how they grow. The programme will be airing early next year, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing herbs shared in such a joyful and accessible way. If you’d like to learn more about mint in the meantime, you can explore Jekka’s Guide to Mint on our website, where she shares growing tips, varieties and uses.
Jekka being recorded for Cbeebies
Autumn & Winter 2025
As the year drew to a close, we wrapped up our programme of herb experiences and looked ahead. As the pace of the season softened, autumn brought time for reflection, collaboration and creativity.
Writing for Scribehound
Throughout 2025, Jekka continued writing for Scribehound, contributing articles on topics including the fate of the herb nursery, UK native herbs, and individual herbs such as Basil and Coriander. These pieces explored both the cultural importance of herbs and the challenges facing horticulture today. You can read some of these articles, along with many other blogs, in Jekka’s “All About Herbs” blog on our website.
Riverstone, Bishop’s Avenue
Jekka also continued her partnership with Riverstone at held workshops at their new Bishop’s Avenue residence, working collaboratively to bring thoughtful herb planting and design into this beautiful setting. These partnerships allow us to demonstrate how herbs can be used creatively in modern landscapes while still supporting biodiversity and wellbeing. Read more about our previous partnership with Riverstone including the Culinary Kitchen Garden and the Blue Zone Garden we created previously.
Garden Design Master Class
We concluded the year with Jekka’s Garden Design Master Class, an in-depth session drawing on decades of experience in herb garden planning, planting combinations and long-term design. It was a fitting and reflective way to end a full and varied year at the herb farm. Bookings are now open for our Spring 2026 Master Classes.
Jekka's September Open Days
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we step into 2026, we’re excited to build on the momentum of this year with a full events calendar of Herb Days, Open Days, Master Classes and group visits. Our first Open Days of the year will take place on 27th and 28th March 2026, and many more events are planned throughout the seasons.
You can explore all upcoming dates and book your place via Jekka’s Events Calendar on our website (tickets will be announced on our newsletter and Instagram). We hope to welcome you back to the herb farm soon: to learn, grow and share the joys of herbs together in the year ahead.
June 2025 in Jekka's Herb Garden
Want to know more?
You can find more about herbs in Jekka’s blog, our past newsletters and videos as well as Jekka's new book '100 Herbs to Grow' and Jekka's existing books, namely 'A Pocketful of Herbs' or Jekka's Complete Herb Book, and also by browsing Jekkapedia and exploring our herb based recipes.
Alternatively, come and visit the herb farm in South Gloucestershire at one of our Open Days, Master Classes or Herb Experiences.
Please also see Jekka's herbs of the month blogs: Bay (January), Rosemary (February), Salad Burnet (March), French Tarragon (April), Angelica (May), Alliums (June), Lavender (July), Basil (August), Mint (September), Szechuan Pepper (October), Thyme (November) and Curry Tree (December)
Herb plants are available and you can organise a collection from our herb farm in South Gloucestershire or at one of our Open Days. Please see our 'Looking Good List' for availability and use our webform or email your list directly to us (sales@jekkas.com). We no longer offer a general mail order service for our plants