'The north wind doth blow...' and gosh, but we've had some snow on the herb farm. Hardy herbs became hidden beneath layers of snow and ice last month, as temperatures plummeted to -12°C.
But spring is a mere moment away...
Herbs blanketed in snow and ice as the big freeze engulfed the herb farm
Hardy, evergreen perennials, such as rosemary, can withstand temperatures
of -15 °C
The snow kept us all on the move, transferring stock into the polytunnels and glasshouse, and tucking the herbs up in late afternoon in horticultural fleece to protect them from freezing overnight temperatures; then removing the fleece again in the morning and hanging it up to dry out .
Most well-established hardy, evergreen perennial herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, should withstand temperatures down to -15 °C...
...and some herb seed, such as Angelica, Yellow Flag Iris (right), Sweet Cicely and Sweet Violet seed even benefits from a period of cold temperatures, to break down the seed's protective coating by subjecting it to sudden changes in temperature. This process is known as 'stratification', and if winters are mild, it is sometimes necessary to stratify seed artificially, by placing it in the fridge, to enable it to germinate.
Yellow Flag Iris seed benefits from a period of cold temperatures
But spring is just around the corner, a mere moment away..
Our herb plants stock has been held back a little by the snowy weather this year, but we're releasing stock now on a daily basis, and still propagating like mad things so rest assured that your herbs will be available to order by spring.
If your desired herb plants aren't available yet, be sure to add them to your Wishlist, and we'll drop you an email when they become available.
Herb Farm Open Days are drawing near, so we're getting essential jobs done around the farm to make sure everything's tip top for our visitors..
Herb seed packing is no small task, but a perfect job to do indoors when it's just too cold to work outside. We've been packing up our new rare seeds, which include Ammi Majus, Bishop's Flower (belowright),
and magnificent Ferula communis, Giant Fennel, all of which are harvested, cleaned and packed here on the farm, so that they're available for Open Day visitors.
We've also been sorting out a 'seeds lucky dip box' for the Open Days - it's all ready now so if you download your voucher and bring it along to our March Open Days, you can choose a FREE seed packet from the box on the day!
Tickets for Jekka's herb workshops 'How to Raise Herbs from Seed' are selling like hot cakes, so if you're planning to attend, buy your tickets quickly now!
Rare seed - Ammi majus, Bishop's Flower
Jekka's Herb Workshops -
how to raise herbs from seed
It's International Year of Biodiversity, so sow some biodiversity beauties in the herb garden for a bounty of beneficial bees and butterflies.
Biodiversity means, literally, the variety of living things around us, upon which we are dependent for our food supply, and to protect our environment.
It's common knowledge that our bee population is declining, and we all know that to encourage beneficial bees and butterflies, insects and wildlife we must provide a natural environment where they can live and thrive. So what can you do in your herb garden, container garden or windowbox?
Grow organically, free from chemicals and synthetic pestcides, to encourage natural predators, such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies in your garden and keep the food chain going.
Grow nectar plants, such as Angelica, Cornflower, Honesty, and Scabious to encourage beneficial bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.
Grow native plants such as Flax, Meadowsweet, Oregano,and Valerian, as these plants will survive the local climate, providing a valuable food source throughout the winter months, and a natural habitat for wildlife and insects.
Recycle garden waste into compost, and use it both to feed your garden, and use in equal parts with composted fine bark as a potting compost.
All native herbs are indicated on our website by the symbol , and biodiversity herbs by the butterfly symbol ,and you can use our Search function to find them all (click on the 'Uses' drop down list).
..and the bright blue of Cornflower is also very attractive to pollinating insects..
and native Valerian encourages earthworms.
Jobs to do now in the Herb Garden
It's all about planning your herb garden right now: if you have a picture in your head, of how you'd like your herb garden to look by the summer, then write it down, and make it happen!
If you lost some herbs to snow and frost this year, then think about replenishing the herb garden with hardier herbs.
For help with designing your herb garden, consider having a professional garden design created for you to follow, so that you can choose plants, and plant them using an easy-to-follow design.
Start sowing herb seed under cover. If you have access to a propagator, you can adjust the humidity, temperature and airflow to suit specific seeds, giving them the best chance of germination. Place it on a windowsill to use the natural light - but make sure the lid has a proper vent or some seeds will rot if the humidity gets too high.
Herbs are basically wild plants tamed to fit a garden, so it makes sense to grow them in conditions as similar as possible to their natural environment. For example, mediterranean herbs such as thyme, oregano, sage and rosemary are used to a more sandy soil, so make sure they have very good drainage, and a sunny spot.
As soil is the engine of your garden, make sure you know your soil type before you begin planting - is it acidic, neutral or alkaline? Soil testing kits are available from most good garden centres.
Plan your herb garden and make it happen
Start sowing herb seed under cover
Check your soil type..
Mediterranean herbs, such as Sage prefer good drainage and a sunny spot.
Don't forget to view Jekka's Herb of the Month, Valerian
Valerian is a well known sedative, and is often used as a remedy for insomnia. The scent of the flowers is deliciously fragrant, but the freshly dug root - the medicinal part - literally stinks! It is the valerian root, however, that is a sheer elixir to cats....read on..
That’s all of our news for now: please feel free to get in touch if there
, and biodiversity herbs by the butterfly symbol 
,and you can use our 
