Newsletter: 11th October 2026
Autumn in Jekka's Herb Garden
Autumn has arrived in Jekka’s Herb Garden, bringing shorter days, cooler evenings and a wonderful change in the garden.
At this time of year, it can be tempting to cut everything back and tidy the garden for winter, but we like to leave plenty standing. Our fennel, elecampane and teasels remain tall long after their flowers have faded
and the birds have enjoyed their seeds. Their hollow stems and old growth provide valuable places for insects to shelter over winter, and we love the structure they bring to the garden through the colder months.
And while some herbs are fading, others are still putting on a show. Our rosemary collection has already begun to flower for the second time this year and, whenever the sun comes out, it is wonderful to see the plants
covered with bees making the most of this valuable late source of nectar.
Taming the Self-Seeders
The recent damp weather has produced a wonderful flush of new seedlings, and our viper’s bugloss and poppies are popping up everywhere. Both are fantastic self-seeders, but if we left every seedling where it appeared, they would quickly take over.
We are thinning them now, keeping healthy seedlings where we want
them and removing those that are overcrowded or growing in the wrong place. It means we can still enjoy their wonderfully natural habit without allowing them to overwhelm their neighbours.
Two tools we find invaluable for this job are the Hori Hori, particularly for plants with a long taproot, and the weeding hoe for quickly dealing with unwanted young seedlings.
Viper's bugloss self-seeded in Jekka's Herb Garden carefully removed using a Hori Hori
Preparing the Glasshouse for Winter
One of our most important autumn jobs is giving the glasshouse a thorough clean before Jekka fills it with her new cuttings.
As an organic herb farm, keeping our growing spaces clean is an important part of preventing pests and diseases. We wash the glass inside and out with a pressure washer, clean down the benches and create a fresh environment for our young and tender plants to spend the winter.
It may not be the most glamorous autumn job, but it is an essential part of our yearly routine, and the end of September and beginning of October is the ideal time to do it.
Cleaning Jekka's glasshouse
Taking Cuttings for Next Year
At this time of year, Jekka is busy taking cuttings and propagating some of the more unusual plants in her collection to grow on for next season.
The young plants will be amongst those moving into our freshly cleaned glasshouse, where they can establish safely over winter.
It is one of the lovely rhythms of working in a herb garden: while this year’s garden is beginning to slow down, we are already nurturing the plants that will fill it next year.
For those looking to propagate their own herbs, we have a range of useful tools in our online shop, including Jekka's Propagating Kit, Rubber Seed Trays and Snips.
Jekka growing next year's herbs