Planting Perennial Herb Plants - Part 2

March is an excellent time in Falls County, Texas, to continue establishing a perennial herb garden before the intense summer heat arrives. This county’s mild and sunny temperatures make it ideal for setting out hardy transplants.

But first, five herb combinations that should never be planted together are 1) Mint & Any Other Herb; 2) Dill & Lavender, Marjoram, Sage, or Parsley; 3) Sage & Chives; 4) Fennel & Any Other Herb, and; 5) Basil & Sage.

Let’s plant sage, mint, and lemon balm!

Whether transplanting into a garden bed or pot containers, transplant solitary seedlings once and allow each to become well-established. The soil must be well-drained. Most Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) prefer sandy loam, while mint and lemon balm prefer more moisture.

Sage, mint, and lemon balm will be planted in full sun to partial shade. Afternoon shade is recommended to help them survive the upcoming summer heat.

On watering, water newly-planted herbs regularly until they are established, after which they are drought-tolerant. Mints will require more frequent watering.

The finishing touch is to apply 1–2 inches of mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Garden Sage is a hardy, evergreen perennial. Planted now, roots will establish in cool soil before summer heat. Choose a sunny, welldrained spot with a soil pH of 6.5–7.0. Space plants 18– 24 inches apart, ensuring they receive 6–8 hours of sunlight for the best growth.

Sage thrives in pots, provided it has excellent drainage, full sun, and is not overwatered.

Garden sage is primarily used in cooking for seasoning poultry, sausages, and roasted vegetables, and in medicinal, traditional practices to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes. It also acts as a natural antioxidant, antibacterial, and is used for smudging, hair care, and as a natural insecticide Mint (Peppermint, Spearmint) Mint is a perennial herb with very fragrant, toothed leaves and tiny purple, pink, or white flowers. There are many varieties of mint—all fragrant, whether shiny or fuzzy, smooth or crinkled, bright green or variegated. Fresh mint enhances water, lemonade, smoothies, and cocktails (mojitos). Mint is used in salads, pesto, tabouli, salsas, and desserts. Mint pairs well with cilantro in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Mint loves moisture and is best in pots to avoid spreading. Use a 12-14 inch pot with good drainage, high-quality potting mix, and place it in partial shade to full sun, ensuring consistent moisture. Regular harvesting/ pinching keeps plants bushy. To dry leaves, cut the leaves right before flowering. Store the dried leaves in an airtight container.

Mint has health and medicinal uses as a digestive aid, a cold/flu remedy, and as aromatherapy. As an insect repellent, mint deters ants, moths, and fleas when placed near entry points or in sachets.

Note: Mice dislike the smell of peppermint. Spread it liberally where you suspect the critters. Mint is also considered a deer-resistant plant.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a Mediterranean herb with an incredibly long lifespan of around twenty to thirty years. It is hardy in the mint family. Avoid planting lemon balm near aggressive herbs like mint, oregano, or rosemary due to its own invasive spreading. Keep it away from Rue, Fennel, and Black Walnut trees, which can stunt its growth or harm it. Also, avoid planting it with basil, lavender, dill, cucumbers, and squash as they have different needs or can be negatively affected by lemon balm’s vigorous growth.

Lemon balm grows from 2 to 3 feet high and should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Lemon balm prefers full sunlight but will tolerate light shade.

Lemon balm does well in pots, as long as it receives enough sunlight and water. It may be grown in a pot inside and outside, checked regularly to ensure that it remains moist.

Growing lemon balm is a great way to always have a lemon-flavored and scented herb on hand for recipes, teas, bouquets, and more.

In Summer, this fastgrowing perennial herb’s small white blossoms appear in clusters at the stem tips. While not showy, these flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Want to attract some caterpillars? Parsley and dill are favorite foods of the black swallowtail caterpillar that turns into a gorgeous black and yellow colored swallowtail butterfly.

What joy there is in gardening! Don’t go it alone. The labor and enjoyment of a garden is meant to be shared. Children love to dig in the dirt and to watch the birds and butterflies! Enjoy drawing the different herbs!