Our history

A family run herb farm with over 40 years’ experience in sustainably growing and using medicinal and culinary herb plants and seeds.

1984

The herb farm started in the back garden of our semi detached house in Bristol.

1987

We moved to our current location, Rose Cottage, a derelict blacksmiths cottage in the South Gloucestershire countryside, north of Bristol and we built our first poly tunnel.

1989

We converted the old pigsty into our first potting shed, which today is the seed shed, where we harvest and store our seeds. We also built our Glasshouse, which still stands today in the centre of the Herb farm.

1991

Jekka exhibited for the very first time at Bath Flower Show, creating a 'Silver Snail' for which they were awarded a silver medal.

1993

Jekka was invited to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, she was awarded a Silver-Gilt Medal for her first culinary and medicinal herb display. 

That summer they also exhibited at the very first RHS Hampton Court Flower show where they were awarded their first RHS Gold for their Thyme display.

1995

We were extremely proud to win our first Gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

1997

We built our first multi-span poly tunnel on our new land.

1998

Jekka was elected a member of the RHS Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee. She was member from 1998 to 2016.

2001

Jamie Oliver visited the farm and a life long friendship between Jekka and Jamie was formed, over their passion for herbs and cooking. 

2005

Jekka was elected to the RHS Council, she was on the board from 2005 to 2016.

2007

At the RHS Hampton Court flower show, we won our first Tudor Rose, for the best floral exhibit.

A second edition of Jekka's Complete Herb Book was also published by Kyle Cathie and endorsed by the RHS.

2008

We were awarded our second Tutor Rose for Jekka's stunning RHS Hampton Court exhibit.

2009

We won the 'creme de le creme' the RHS Lawrence award, for best floral display shown at an RHS show that year, for our Chelsea Flower show exhibit.

2010

A life long project for Jekka was accomplished, her first cookbook, Jekka's Herb Cookbook, illustrated by Hannah McVicar and published by Ebury press.

2012

Jekka was awarded the Garden Media Guild, Lifetime Achievement Award. She also was the first female in 100 years to chair the judging of the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

2013

We created Jekka's Herbetum.

Jekka was President of the Herb Society 2013 - 2014.

2014

The herbetum flourished and we were delighted to welcome visitors from all around the world.

2016

Jekka created a beautiful show garden at the RHS Chelsea flower show called 'A Modern Apothecary' sponsored by St John’s Hospice. The Garden has now relocated to St John's Hospice in London.

2017

Jekka created 'The Quiet Garden', in central London. Built with the help of St Mungo‘s & the Putting Down Roots team and sponsored by Jo Malone London.

Jekka was also awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) for her services to Horticulture and she was made a Vice President of the RHS.

2018

We collaborated with 6 o’clock Gin to created Jekka's Edition, using fresh herbs from the farm.

This was also the year we rebranded to 'Jekka's' with a new logo and this website.

2019

At the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show we launched our new range of herbal infusions and new illustrated homeware and gifts that we also brought to Bath Christmas Market. 

2020

An unprecedented and challenging year, for which we are very grateful for the support we received and the friends and visitors that came to the farm in all weather conditions to buy herbs.

We ran Open Days using coupons, developed new "Grow at Home" herb kits, new Jekka's Herb Box Collections, new seed collections, a new veg seed range and new gifts for gardeners. All available in Jekka's online shop.

2021

We are pleased to be able to look back on 2021 and share some highlights in what has been a hard year. From open days, group visits and the truly amazing Jekka's HerbFest to Jekka's and Friends of Jekka's Master Classes. Thank you to everyone that came and supported the herb farm. Read Jekka's blog, looking back on 2021 at Jekka's.

2022

In 2022, after the turmoil of 2020-2021, we decided to celebrate herbs and build on everything our business has achieved over the past 35+ years. We started work on the creation of Jekka's Herb Garden, a permanent herb garden reflecting all of Jekka's knowledge and our past RHS displays. Read Jekka's blog, looking back on 2022 at Jekka's.

2023

Jekka's HerbFest 2023

Celebrating 40 years of growing Herbs!

Jekkapedia

Whether you are starting out, an avid chef, a plant enthusiast or garden designer our collection is likely to have something to inspire you. We are growing a virtual Herbetum called Jekkapedia enabling you to browse and learn at your leisure.