Each spring, Jekka selects a curated list of herb-seed varieties best suited to sowing at different times in the year; the list below is for late spring & early summer. As a member of Jekka's Seed Club or Jekka’s Grow at Home Subscription, you’ll receive five different seed-packets from this list that are carefully chosen to match the UK planting season. The exact varieties may vary depending on availability.
Seed Club members will receive their five carefully selected herb seed packets on a monthly, bi-monthly, or tri-monthly schedule. Our Grow at Home subscription delivers a seasonal assortment of seeds every two months, complete with Jekka’s seed compost, pots, and perlite. Our herb seeds are untreated and can be used to grow organic herb plants. For more information, please see the subscription product pages.
Everything you need to start growing today — perfect for plant lovers of all ages!
In late spring & early summer Jekka recommends sowing:
- Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
- Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta)
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Lemon Basil (Ocimum x africanum)
- Lemon Marigold (Tagetes 'Lemon Gem' )
- Marigold Fiesta Gitana (Calendula officinalis 'Fiesta Gitana Group')
- Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor 'Red Army')
- Summer Savory, St Julain's Herb (Satureja hortensis)
- Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Tree Spinach, Giant Goosefoot (Chenopodium giganteum)
- Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
- Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
For more information on growing herbs from seeds please see Jekka's blogs on sowing herb seeds, how to grow vegetables and Jekka's tips on sowing winter culinary seeds. Also, check out our Jekkapedia pages for the individual herbs pages. Jekka's "How to Grow Herbs" videos, includes Jekka's video on how to sow herb seeds for an informative step-by-step guide to seed sowing.
For advice on growing and maintaining herbs, check out ‘Jekka’s Seasonal Tips’ blog series, which includes what to do in your herb garden in early spring, late spring, summer and autumn & winter. Together they form the basis of Jekka’s guide on how to grow herbs.
Growing indoors? Check out Jekka's blog on indoor herb gardening for some advice.
If you require pots or compost, see Jekka's Herb Kits that includes Jekka's Seed Sowing Kit. This kit contains all you need to sow a collection of herb seeds.
(Please note, we harvest and test a lot of our seeds on the herb farm, therefore, seeds listed here for Jekka's Seed Club are subject to change and we might swap out for some different seeds depending on availability).
Jekka's Late Spring & Early Summer Herb Seeds
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze) - Buy some seeds
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Anise Hyssop has long purple flower spikes with aniseed-scented, oval, toothed mid green leaves. As a culinary herb you can use the flowers in sweet and savoury salads and the leaves in salads and for making herbal infusions, teas or tisanes.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring in prepared plug trays or pots, cover seeds with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Cut flowers for drying just as they begin to open. Cut leaves just before late spring flowering. Seed heads turn brown as seed ripens: at the first sign of seed falling, pick and hang upside down with a paper bag tied over the heads.
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Borage (Borago officinalis) - Buy some seeds
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Attractive star shaped blue flowers. Mid green, oval, bristly, slightly succulent leaves. Culinary; flowers can be used in drinks and salads. Young leaves used in salads and soups. Seeds are high in GLA.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. • Harvest: Pick young leaves sparingly for best texture. Harvest starry blue flowers frequently to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
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Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Buy some seeds
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Long racemes of pale pink flowers with conspicuous mauve/pink bracts. Strongly scented, wrinkled, oblong, grey green, textured leaves. Culinary; flowers are edible, they look lovely in salads and ice cubes.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Harvest leaves before flowering for culinary use. Cut flower stems at full bloom for drying, leaving plants intact.
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Dill (Anethum graveolens) - Buy some seeds
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Umbels of small yellow/green flowers followed by aromatic seeds. Fine, feathery, aromatic, mid green leaves. Culinary; leaves, flowers and seeds are edible. Use in pickles, salads and with potatoes and cucumbers.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring in prepared plug trays or pots, cover seeds with perlite. • Harvest: Harvest feathery leaves early and often. Cut flower heads once seeds mature and turn brown, drying before storing.
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Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta) - Buy some seeds
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Small purple/white flowers. Small grey green oval leaves covered in fine hairs. Whole plants is aromatic. Culinary; the flowers and leaves are edible. The leaves are great with mushrooms.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In autumn or early spring, into prepared seed trays or pots, cover the seeds with perlite. • Harvest: Snip leafy stems regularly before flowering for best flavour. Light harvesting encourages compact growth and prolonged summer production.
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Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis ) - Buy some seeds
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Clusters of small pale creamy flowers. Lemon scented, oval, toothed, textured, green leaves. Culinary; use with fruit, chicken and eggs. The leaves make a very refreshing tisane.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. Seeds dislike being wet; minimal watering after sowing. • Harvest: Harvest fresh leaves before flowering for brightest lemon scent. Cut stems back regularly to encourage tender new growth.
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Lemon Basil (Ocimum x africanum) - Buy some seeds
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Clusters of small white flowers in summer. Green, oval, intensely citrus scented leaves. Culinary; great culinary flavour, make marinades for use with fish, chicken, rice and pasta dishes and in salads.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In late spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. Only water seedlings before midday. • Harvest: Pinch leaves frequently to prevent flowering and encourage bushiness. Harvest young leaves regularly for fresh, citrusy flavour.
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Lemon Marigold (Tagetes 'Lemon Gem' ) - Buy some seeds
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Single yellow flowers in summer. Highly aromatic serrated mid green leaves. The whole plant is lemon scented. Very good insect repellent.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Pick flowers fully open for culinary use. Regular harvesting encourages further blooms and keeps plants productive all summer.
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Marigold Fiesta Gitana (Calendula officinalis 'Fiesta Gitana Group') - Buy some seeds
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Large daisy like orange/yellow double flowers throughout the season until the first frosts. Lance-shaped, slightly hairy, green leaves. Culinary; use flower petals in salads, both fruit and savory.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In autumn or spring, into prepared plug trays or direct into pots, cover with perlite. If sown in autumn, winter in a cold frame. • Harvest: Harvest flower heads as they fully open. Pick regularly to promote continual flowering and vibrant petal production.
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Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor 'Red Army') - Buy some seeds
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Striking long lasting small red flowers, followed by seeds which are edible when cooked. Ovate, texture, red leaves. Culinary; use young leaves in salads or steam when mature. Use seeds to make flat breads.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In spring, in prepared plug trays or pots, cover seeds with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Harvest young leaves regularly for salads. Cut outer leaves first, allowing central growth to continue producing fresh foliage.
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Summer Savory, St Julain's Herb (Satureja hortensis) - Buy some seeds
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Small whorled of white flowers. Narrow, small, lance shaped, green/brown, aromatic leaves. Culinary; known as the bean herb as the leaves are cooked with all forms of beans and pulses.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, do not cover. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Harvest leafy stems just before flowering for strongest flavour. Regular cutting encourages bushy growth and extended harvesting.
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Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram (Origanum majorana) - Buy some seeds
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Tiny white tubular flowers that grow around a green centre in a knot shape. Very aromatic, pale green, soft, oval leaves. Culinary; excellent flavour, use with meat, tomatoes and pasta.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, do not cover the seeds. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Snip stems frequently before flowering for best aroma. Avoid heavy cutting late season to allow plants recovery.
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Tree Spinach, Giant Goosefoot (Chenopodium giganteum ) - Buy some seeds
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Tiny greenish yellow flowers. The leaves are mid green, arrow shaped with serrated edges. The new young growth is a stunning magenta colour. Culinary; the young leaves are rich in iron calcium and vitamins B1 and C, add to salads.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: in early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover seeds with perlite. Bottom heat, 18°C, aids germination. • Harvest: Harvest young leaves once plants are established. Pick regularly from outer growth to encourage continuous leafy production.
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Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) - Buy some seeds
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Small yellow four petalled flowers. Green, deeply divided, aromatic leaves.Culinary; delicious in salads and with egg dishes. The leaves are high in sulphur, good for healthy skin.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In Spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite. • Harvest: Cut young leaves often for milder flavour. Regular harvesting prevents flowering and encourages steady regrowth throughout the season.
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Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) - Buy some seeds
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Small yellow, stalkless 4-6 petalled flowers which open in the sun and close in the shade. Thick fleshy spoon shaped, mid green leaves. Culinary; a popular salad herb, high in Omega3 fatty acids. One of the main ingredients in fattoush.
• Grown from seed:
• Indoor Sowing: In spring, into prepared plug trays or pots. Sow thinly, cover the seeds with perlite. • Harvest: Harvest tender stems and leaves before flowering. Cut above soil level to allow regrowth and repeated harvesting.
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Join Jekka's Seed Club to receive these varieties and seasonal sowing inspiration directly.
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.
Jekka’s has a wealth of material on designing and planting culinary herb gardens. Some additional Guides and Blogs that might also help are:
- Jekka’s Guide on How to Grow Herbs
- Jekka's Guide to being a Sustainable Herb Gardener
- Jekka’ Tips to Planting a Culinary Herb Garden
- Jekka’s Advice on Growing Herbs in Containers
- Marcus Wareing's Herb Kitchen Garden
- Jekka’s Riverstone culinary kitchen 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.
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