What do you do with your Lemon Balm????

I am just wondering. This is my first year growing it and we absolute love it. Our plant is doing very well and attracting many butterflies and bees. Do you have any recipes or ideas that you can share with me?

Just make sure you don't let it go to seed or you will be pulling it out all over your garden next year!

What do you do when your lemon balm goes to seed? I planted six of them last Spring 2004. This year so far the entire growing season they have gone to seed. I miss my Iced Lemon Balm Tea. How can I discourage them from going to seed? Should I cut the flowers off? I don't mind a little extra weeding from the seedlings but I bought the lemon balm for personal use. Just a note...my wife uses lemon balm in some of her Asian recipes.

Thanks,

Chuck

I cut the flowers off of mine and they do just fine, but then I live in zone6 so......

Thanks, Mobi!!! I will try cutting them off.

Thanks again for the valuable advice,

Chuck

I keep hair cutting scissors (very sharp and very pointy) in the magic pocket of my wheelchair. Whenever I go outside, I snip away at any and all buds on my herbs to keep them from going to seed. Easy, quick and not too much work if you keep up with it. The scissors are lighter and easier for me to handle with my MS-hands than garden shears or clippers...

Barb

I've planted my LB at the edge of the lawn. It goes to seed and the seedlings are mown down everytime the lawn is mowed. The bees are happy and so are we. I wonder how lemon balm jelly would be? anybody ever try making some? I would imagine it could be done the same way mint jelly would be made.

Lemon balm is very tough and mowing it dosn't hurt it.

I cut mine back hard with giant pruning shears about twice a year, when I see the first blooms. It looks a little frail and ugly for a week, then, whoosh! it takes off. Last year I forgot to prune at the end of the year. Uh-oh! I am pulling out little plants everywhere.

I tried my Lemon Balm in salad, but it was too strong. I think jelly sounds awfully good!

Great in lemon tea!

Lots of info out there if you google "lemon balm recipes" or "lemon balm uses." You can find everything from uses like hair rinse, calming bath mixes, potpourri, substitutes for Pledge furniture cleaner, pudding, vinaigrette, cakes, cookies, lemonade, tea, etc.

I've used it in potpourri, tea, and vinaigrette, but after glancing at a few of these websites, it would be fun to try some new things. Have fun experimenting!

I've used my lemon balm in baked/grilled chicken and fish dishes by putting it in the marinade. I've also used it with a combination of herbs like lemon and lime basil along with chives in a linguini dish I prepare. It's also wonderful with oregano and thyme. It's great in hot or cold tea.

Dear Ivy1,

That is essentially what I did yesterday to my Lemon Balm plants...I cut it down with my large pruning shears. You are right, they look ugly but I hope they recuperate with leaves before summer is over.

Thanks,

Chuck

I'm about 100% sure they will not only put on new growth fast, but you may even have to whack them back again before the end of summer!

I think in this hot weather bathing in a cool lemon balm bath would be paradise. Maybe add some lavender....

Dear Kerry_in_ky,

I did a little research on google and came up with this recipe for you for lemon balm jelly:

1 cup lemon balm
3 cups water
1 tbsp fresh lemon
6 1/2 cups sugar
1 bottle liquid pectin
1 Drop yellow food coloring

Steep lemon balm in boiled water 10-20 minutes. Strain. Bring infusion and sugar to a rolling boil. Ad pectin and cook and stir for 1 min. Remove from heat, add coloring, put in jar and seal.

The only problem I have with this recipe is I don't know where the fresh lemon is added. There were many recipes on google for things like cake and tea of course.
Enjoy,

Chuck

This message was edited Jul 27, 2005 1:49 PM

Chuck,

Thanks for the recipe. I would imagine the lemon would be added when the pectin was added, after getting the infusion. I was thinking just tonight I need to cut my LB back. It has gone to seed and we are expecting some rain over the next day or so. I figured cutting it back and the watering would give it incentive to grow some new leaves for later in the season.

Mines about to blow! I have to get the shears out. Hey? Why am I still typing? Gotta go!

I cut mine back this morning. We are supposed to get some rain today so that should give the plants a needed boost. I see lemon balm jelly in my future.

Before mine flowers, I use the weed eater and mow those suckers down. I also planted it where it wouldn't be a bother.

I've heard that lemon balm planted around bee hives keeps the mites from attacking them. Don't know if it works yet, but a friend is starting hives in spring and we're going to try it. The bees will love it in any case!

I'm reviving an old thread here, but I was wondering if anyone had any "tried and true" lemon balm tea recipes. I've been weeding through the ones gained by googling such a thing, but they usually call for lemon verbena, which I do not have.

Lemon Balm: http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbLemonBalm.htm

Lemon Balm - Medicinal Uses: http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbLemonBalmMed.htm

~* Robin

I use it as a skeeter repellent while in my gardens, just rub the fresh leaves on your neck, arms and face.

Dear Moko,

I am going to try that next year when the mosquitos are back.

Thanks,

Chuck

Ivy1,

I thought of you as I pruned back my lemon balm again to start Spring. A lot of the seeds from last year came up and I just pruned off the old plants.

Did you try any of the recipes on Google.com for lemon balm? Other than the tea, I haven't tried any.

Thanks,

Chuck

I would have but my DH cut mine back in fall right before I was about to harvest again. I never got another crop before it went dormant. In the early fall, I did try it in salad dressing, but again, I thought it was too strong. Next year I am definitely trying strawberry wine with lemon balm! I just have to remember to harvest before it blooms, because I think that was the problem last year.