How to Cultivate Beebalm

Bee balm, also known as Bergamont, is an herb indigenous to North America and belongs to the mint family. It flowers from late July to September, making it a great plant for a fall garden. Originally cultivated by the Native Americans, it spread to Europe in the 1700's. Bee balm has a light citrus taste, and is commonly used for tea, called Oswego Tea, and other culinary pratices. Bee balm is an easy plant to grow and has wonderfully ornamental flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Water
• Hand or Motor Tiller
• Bee balm Starter Plants
• Drying rack
• Dehydrator
• Fertilizer or Compost
• Brown Paper Bags

Growing Bee Balm

1. Till the soil in your selected area about 12 to 15 inches deep.

2. Mix fertilizer or compost into the newly tilled soil.

3. Dig a hole twice the size as the pot of the starter plant.

4. Remove the plant from the container and place it in the dug hole.

5. Plant remaining plants 1 or 2 feet apart.

6. Water well to help establish the plant.

7. Cut the plant down to 2 inches above the soil after the first killing frost of the season.

8. Divide the plants every 2 years in the spring, if growth warrants it.

Harvest and Storage

9. When bee balm is in full bloom, it is time to harvest.

10. Pick off flowers and leaves.

11. Dry leaves and flowers on a drying rack or in a dehydrator.

12. Store dried flowers and leaves in brown paper bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Bee balm grows best in full sun to part shade. It enjoys well drained alkaline or clay like soils.
• The citrus taste makes it best used in tea. Oswego tea was used by colonists in America after the Boston Tea Party for a substitution of English Tea.
• Bee balm can also be used to make steam concoctions for respiratory conditions.
• Do not over-water. Only water in the summer if rain is less than 1 inch per week.