What the Herb Garden is Teaching Us

What the Herb Garden is Teaching Us

Newsletter: 2nd August 2026

Growing Herbs Through a Heatwave

For over 40 years, Jekka's has been a place of continual learning. Every season brings new observations, and no two years are ever quite the same. This summer's prolonged heat and dry conditions have provided another opportunity to better understand how different herbs respond to extreme weather. Some have flourished, others have surprised us and, as always, the garden continues to teach us valuable lessons that we can share with gardeners everywhere.

The prolonged warm, dry weather has certainly tested us and our plants this summer, particularly those growing in containers. While established herbs growing in Jekka's Herb Garden have proved remarkably resilient, others have responded in unexpected ways.

One of the most interesting observations has been with our Creeping Thymes. After flowering, we lightly trimmed some plants while leaving others untouched. We expected little difference, but the results have been striking. The trimmed plants have produced tender new growth that has become scorched in the intense sunshine, whereas those left with their faded flower heads have formed dense, healthy green cushions. The old flower stems have provided valuable shade, protecting the fresh growth developing beneath.

Our Mints have taught us a different lesson. Once flowering began, the flavour of the leaves changed as the plants directed their energy into producing flowers. By cutting them back to around 5cm (2 inches) above the ground, they are already producing fresh, aromatic leaves ready to enjoy later in the season.

These small observations remind us that every herb has evolved to cope with different conditions and that there is rarely a single approach that suits them all.

For an up to date guide on growing herbs, see Jekka's 100 Herbs to Grow.

 


Berries And Cream Mint (Mentha 'Berries and Cream') in flower




 Growing Herbs at Home During Hot Weather

The lessons we learn in Jekka's Herb Garden are often just as valuable in your own gardens at home.

During periods of prolonged heat, herbs growing in containers are usually the first to need attention, as compost dries much more quickly than garden soil. Watering thoroughly in the early morning or evening allows moisture to reach the roots before it evaporates in the heat of the day.

It can also be tempting to tidy every herb after flowering, but as our thyme experiment has shown, nature often provides its own protection. Taking time to observe how your herbs are responding before reaching for the secateurs can often be the best approach.

Many Mediterranean herbs, including Rosemary, Sage, Lavender and Oregano, continue to thrive in hot, dry conditions, reminding us that choosing the right herb for the right place is one of the simplest ways to create a resilient, sustainable garden.

Read our newsletter on herbs for hotter summers for more ideas.

 


Lavender Old English (Lavandula x intermedia Old English Group) in flower



Learn with Us This September

One of the greatest pleasures of opening Jekka's and both the Herb Garden and Herbetum is sharing what we continue to learn with fellow gardeners. By September, the garden begins another fascinating stage of its seasonal journey. Seed heads mature, fresh growth appears following summer pruning and late-flowering herbs continue to provide colour and valuable nectar for pollinators.

Our September Open Days and Plant Sale on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September are an opportunity to explore the Herb Garden at this rewarding time of year, discover herbs suited to your own garden and ask questions about growing, harvesting and caring for herbs through the changing seasons.

Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to see how the garden has changed since summer, we look forward to welcoming you and sharing another season of learning together.

 

 






Cultivating flavour, creating experiences.

Back to Jekka's Newsletters