How I Saved My Summer Herb Garden

Let me start with a confession: this summer heat nearly took out my lemon balm. One day she was thriving—green, fragrant, full of hope—and the next she wilted like a forgotten letter in the sun. It felt personal.

But here’s the thing about tending a garden: it teaches you not to give up so easily. So instead of tossing her to the compost pile, I got creative. I tuned in. And in the process, I discovered a few small things that helped not just my herbs, but my own sense of calm and care in the heat of it all.

If your garden has been feeling the weight of the sun this season, maybe these gentle fixes will help bring it (and you) back to life.

1. A Bit of Shade—Plant Umbrellas

Yes, little umbrellas—for plants. I giggled when I first saw them, then promptly ordered a set. Turns out, they’re exactly what my herbs needed. Especially during those harsh afternoon hours, these sweet canopies gave my plants enough reprieve to recover. And lemon balm? She’s coming back, tender and determined. We’re rooting for her—literally.

☂ Harvest Tip: Use parasols, linen scraps, or even upturned baskets for a similar effect. Shade can be beautiful and practical.

2. Coffee Grounds as a Bug Blocker

When something started nibbling on my basil, I took it personally. I tried a light ring of used coffee grounds around the base, and to my surprise—it worked. Pests seemed to back off, and my soil got a little nutrient boost too. It’s not fancy, but it’s honest. Bonus: coffee + eggshells? The garden’s version of breakfast in bed.

3. Crushed Eggshells for Soil Support

My cilantro was looking dull and sparse, like she’d seen better days. I crushed up some eggshells and gently mixed them into the soil. The calcium helps, especially when the heat strips things down. A few days later, she perked up—proof that a little nourishment goes a long way.

🥚 Harvest Tip: Let your scraps work for you. A garden that shares your breakfast is a garden worth tending.

4. The Worm Relocation Program

This one may sound odd, but it’s become a tiny act of devotion: when I find a worm in the courtyard, I gently carry it to the herb garden. They work quietly, breaking down matter, loosening the soil, turning what’s fallen into food. And isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? Turn the messy bits into something that nourishes.

I also leave fallen leaves and snippings on top of the soil—they compost down naturally, like little blessings.

5. Good Vibes Only

And finally: music and kind words. I play a little something gentle in the background, talk to the plants like old friends, and whisper encouragement while I water. I know it sounds a little dreamy, but energy matters. Tending with love changes things—soil, roots, people.

A Garden Worth Saving

The truth is, your garden doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth saving. It doesn’t need rows or symmetry or perfect soil. It just needs your attention. A bit of shade. A good breakfast. A second chance.

Just like us, sometimes plants have their hard seasons. And sometimes, healing looks like tiny umbrellas and eggshells and soft music in the heat of the afternoon.

So if you’re standing over a pot of something wilted, unsure if it’s worth trying again—trust that it is.

We grow, we revive, we return, Ilda