June 20, 2025

All About Lemon Balm + Mulch in the Garden – A Summer Solstice Special!

Celebrate the Sun in our Summer Solstice Special Episode! We talk all about lemon balm; in the kitchen, garden and apothecary – we love this amazing herb! Explore various types of mulch, which one is best for you?

Summer Solstice

Lemon Balm

Mulch

Celebrate the Sun in our Summer Solstice Special Episode! 

Herbalist Mary Colvin joins us to talk all about lemon balm; in the kitchen, garden and apothecary – we love this amazing herb! 

We share some recipes for herbal jellies, special stuffing for the Solstice feast, using salt to preserve herbs, and dig into the many medicinal uses for lemon balm. Mary shares info on lemon balm tea, topical uses for infusions and some of her favorite blends for lemon balm teas and tinctures. 

You can learn more about Mary Colvin and her work at https://herbalistmentor.com/

Mary was also a guest on a previous episode of Seeds & Weeds: https://seedsandweedspodcast.com/herbalists-guide-mary-colvin-ancestral-herbology/

The heat of the summer sun means we need to think about mulch for our gardens! We explore various types of mulch including grass clippings, straw, leaves, and landscaping cloth. Mulch is a valuable garden tool that suppresses weeds, retains moisture and keeps the soil cool.

At the top of the episode we talk about summer garden chores such as weeding, watering and trellising our plants. We also share some updates form around Small House Farm and Heather reads an excerpt from Herbs in Every Season.

Find your copy of Herbs In Every Season: https://www.smallhousefarm.com/product/herbs-in-every-season/

Visit the Mountain Rose Herbs website: https://mountainroseherbs.com/

Learn more about the Modern Homesteading Conference: https://modernhomesteading.com/

Support the podcast by joining our Patreon for as little as $3/month at www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm

Previous Episodes

It’s Seed Saving Season!

It’s Seed Saving Season!

Aug 19, 2026Saving Seeds From Your Garden ~ It's Seed Saving Season!From knowing when to harvest to learning how to process and store your seeds, we’re breaking down the simple, rewarding art of saving your own seeds—and showing you how to get started! 🌱We are digging...

Thomas Jefferson’s Flowers: Historic Gardens at Monticello

Thomas Jefferson’s Flowers: Historic Gardens at Monticello

August 5, 2026**Author Interviews**From heirloom flowers to historic seed saving, join Peggy Cornett for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the living gardens of Monticello.Thomas Jefferson's Flowers: Historic Gardens at Monticello In this episode, we're joined...

All About ROSES

All About ROSES

July 22, 2026All About ROSESin the Garden, Kitchen, and ApothecaryRoses aren't just meant to be admired—they're meant to be harvested, brewed, crafted, and enjoyed. Let's discover everything this iconic flower has to offer.Roses are far more than a symbol of...