Summer at Jekka's: Herbs for Hotter Summers

Summer at Jekka's: Herbs for Hotter Summers

Newsletter: 5th July 2026

Summer at Jekka's: Herbs for Hotter Summers

As gardeners, we are always learning from nature. Although summer is one of our favourite times of year, as temperatures rise one of the questions we are most often asked is how to keep herbs healthy during hot weather. While it can be tempting to reach for the watering can, understanding your plants, improving soil structure and choosing the right herbs for the conditions are often just as important.

At Jekka's, we have been observing changes in the weather for many years. Wetter winters, drier summers and more extreme weather events have all influenced how we grow and care for the garden. Fortunately, many herbs originate from regions with hot summers and limited rainfall, making them naturally resilient and well suited to the challenges many gardeners now face.

Our approach has always been rooted in sustainable gardening. By working with nature, building healthy soils, encouraging biodiversity and choosing the right plant for the right place, it is possible to create a resilient garden that thrives throughout the seasons.

To learn more, read Our Approach to Sustainable Gardening, where we share the principles that have guided Jekka's Herb Farm for decades. You may also enjoy Jekka's Guide to Climate Change, which explores how gardeners can adapt to changing weather patterns while continuing to garden sustainably.

 

 

Jekka's Herb Garden, July 2026





 Why We Created Our Gravel Garden


One of the most noticeable changes we have made in recent years has been the development of Jekka's Herb Garden, which contains our Gravel Garden.

Originally created to house Jekka's collection of Thymes, the gravel garden has become an excellent example of how thoughtful planting and good drainage can help herbs thrive in changing conditions with many herbs choosing to self seed and spread into the gravel. See Jekka's Herb Garden original planting list here.

The free-draining gravel helps protect plants during periods of heavy rainfall while also creating the warm, sunny conditions enjoyed by many Mediterranean herbs. During summer, the garden becomes a tapestry of colour, texture and fragrance, attracting bees and other pollinators throughout the day.

If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at our Herb Garden Timeline and discover how the garden has evolved over the years.


 


Jekka's Herb Garden, July 2026




Five Herbs for a Hot Summer

Many herbs originate from regions with hot, dry summers and are naturally adapted to thrive in sunny conditions. If you're looking for resilient plants that perform beautifully during warm weather, these are five of our favourites grown from seed:

  1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum): Beautiful, long-flowering and loved by pollinators. Once established, it copes well with warm, dry weather.

  2. Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum): A fascinating basil with aromatic foliage, excellent for teas and well suited to summer warmth.

  3. Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana): Rewarding to grow from seed with wonderful culinary uses.

  4. Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis): An underrated culinary herb that thrives in warm weather and is very easy from seed.

  5. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Not drought tolerant forever, but ideal for succession sowing through summer and a herb people actively use in the kitchen.

All of these herbs are available as seeds through our online shop helping you create a resilient, wildlife-friendly herb garden that will thrive throughout the season.


 


Anise Hyssop, Sweet Marjoram and Coriander


Cultivating flavour, creating experiences.