Newsletter: 28th August
Jekka's tips on sowing & collecting herb seeds in late summer
It has been one of the hottest summers we have known in a long time and most of our herbs have already finished flowering and have turned their energy to making seeds. Before the rain arrived, the team were busy harvesting as much seeds as we could. This will ensure that we have plenty to share with you in the new year.
The seeds we have harvested this week include: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Woad (Isatis tinctoria) and Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa).
It is so easy to harvest your own seeds from your garden, for Jekka's tips, please read our blog: Jekka's guide on how to harvest herb seeds.
Autumn Seed Sowing
During the last week of August, when the soil is still warm, we sow our Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Parsley (Petroselinum) seed direct into the salad bed in Jekka's Herbetum. Both of these herbs are part of the carrot family and at this time of year the threat of carrot root fly and other pests are low.
With the warmth of the soil, the seeds will germinate in around 16 days and you will have fresh leaves to harvest throughout the autumn and winter. They will both happily survive the winter months. Then, by the time the summer arrives and the climate warms up again, the plants may go to flower. If you allow it to go to seed, collect the seeds and sow again.
Both Coriander and Parsley prefer damp soil and partial shade. If grown in full sun the leaves can often be scorched. However, sowing now, in late summer, nature provides the ideal conditions for the plants to thrive.
Watch our videos on Jekka's autumn seed sowing with Jekka & Nathan Outlaw and sow your own with Jekka's Grow at Home Autumn Herb Kit.
Our next open days for the season will be on Friday 9th & Saturday 10th September. Join us to celebrate a herb filled summer, stock up on some evergreen herbs and enjoy Jekka's Herbetum in its autumn glory.
Jekka's Open Days are a wonderful opportunity to purchase plants from Jekka's collection of over 400 culinary & medicinal herbs. Listen to one of Jekka's informative talks or go on a bee tour of the Herbetum with Jean Vernon.
We will also have the St Mungo's 'Putting Down Roots' team with us, sharing news of their latest projects in Bristol.
Are you looking for an exciting challenge? We are seeking a passionate plants person and gardener to help support and build Jekka's Herb Garden. Apply now!