Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Wild Bergamot is a vibrant wildflower also known by the name Bee Balm or Horse Mint and is native to parts of North America. This flower variety is extremely beneficial for our pollinators and attracts all types of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Wild Bergamot grows in bush like cluster and can reach 2 to 4 feet in height displaying light pink to purple blooms with square stems and sparse leaves. The leaves and flowers are edible and have a minty bite of flavor with a floral zing. Native Americans used this plant for plant properties salves and teas to aid in fevers and colds. This plant is also desirable for making aromatic oils, perfumes, or potpourri.
NAME: Bergamot / Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
VARIETY: Wild
DAYS TO MATURITY: 65 – 75 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 10
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Average soils with a soil pH 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 24 – 48 inches
SPACING: 14 – 20 inches
TEMP: 45 – 90ºF
Take a clean dye-free paper towel and completely dampen it with water; ensure that it is not too wet, squeezing out any excess moisture
Lay paper towel on a table and sprinkle desired quantity of seeds on one half of the paper towel, ensuring that they are not overlapping
Fold the paper towel in half over the seeds and slip into a plastic zipping baggie; ideally the size of the bag should be bigger than the size of the paper towel, so it does not bunch up
Seal shut the baggie and place this into an undisturbed area of the refrigerator
Check on the moisture once a week to make sure it is damp to the touch; if it becomes slightly dry add some drops of water until remoistened
You must leave the bag in the refrigerator for 30 days. This mimics the natural stratification process. After this time, they are ready to direct seed into pots, cells, or prepared soil
If seeds prematurely sprout you can remove and immediately plant, root side down
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last local frost
Sow 2 to 3 seeds each in small pots of cell trays in seed starting soil mix and then press lightly into the soil
Place beneath grow lights that are on 12 hours, off 12 hours and germination should occur in 15 days
When seedlings emerge, thin to one per cell or pot
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
Transplant into prepared bed after all threat of frost has passed
Space plants 12 inches apart in rows that are 20 inches apart
Prepare a weed free, fertile soil bed for the seeds, free of large rocks and compacted soil; you should be able to stick your finger into the soil 3 or more inches if it is well aerated and correctly prepared
Plant the seeds 1/4th inch deep and space seeds one inch apart and thin out to 6 inches apart once they are several inches tall, then thin again at 6 inches tall spaced 14 inches apart
Keep soil well moistened and weed free until the plants are 10 inches or taller, at which point they require less care and can compete for space, light, water and nutrients on their own
Provide regular water to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods.
Wild Bergamot prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weed growth.
Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every 4-6 weeks to promote healthy growth.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding, if desired.
Harvest Wild Bergamot flowers as needed for culinary or medicinal use.
Cut stems just above a leaf node to encourage branching and continued growth.
Dry harvested flowers by hanging them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area until completely dry.
Store dried flowers in an airtight container away from light and moisture for future use in teas, potpourri, or other herbal preparations.
