Growing Hyssop

photo: backyarddiva

Latest Update 15th March 2016.

Hyssop

• Variety:                                                Hyssopus officinalis. 
• Family:                                                Lamiaceae.
• Garden bed type:                                  Drip line irrigated organic bed.
• Recommended soil pH:                          5.0 - 7.5.
• Minimum Sun per Day:                          3 hours.
• Plant Spacings (centres):                       450mm.
• Good Companions:                                Grape, Cabbage.
• Climate:                                                Warm Temperate.
• Geographic Hemisphere:                        Southern.

Notes. 

• I grow Hyssop because it is a beautiful plant with masses of attractive mauve coloured flowers.
• The Hyssop in my garden doesn't seem to suffer from any pests or diseases.
• It is an attractant for bees, and deters chewing insect pests. 

Growing Conditions.

• Hyssop needs full sun.
• It prefers sandy or loamy, well drained soil and is drought tolerant.
• However, mine grow happily in heavy clay which has been enriched with plenty of compost over many seasons.
• They are light feeders and don't need much fertiliser.  A top dressing of home made compost in winter is beneficial and spraying with aerated compost tea every month will maintain good plant health. 
• You do not need to mulch.  

Soil Preparation.

• In September, clear a space for Hyssop in a herb bed, add a 60mm layer of homemade compost and cover with 50mm of straw mulch.
• Leave the bed for 4 weeks to build up worm and microbial activity.  Move the mulch to one side before planting.

Growing Instructions. 

• I have always propagated Hyssop from seeds sown where they are to be grown in a prepared bed, however it can be propagated by root division.
• Once the plant starts to grow vigorously apply a foliar spray of aerated compost tea every 4 weeks.
• If left to its own devices a Hyssop plant will become woody after a couple of years.  To prevent this you should prune the plant in spring before new growth starts.  Cut the plant back by 1/3rd.  Do not cut into old wood.
• Replace the plant in a new location every 3 - 4 years.

Harvesting and Storage

• Not applicable.

Organic Pest Control.

• Greenhouse whitefly.  
• Aerated compost tea improves the plants resistance to whitefly damage.
• Exclusion netting is very effective against whitefly, but they are very small and will occasionally breach your defences, so you will need to check your crop regularly.  
• Control any infestations by spray your crop thoroughly with organic Neem oil.
• Spray again in a few days to ensure second generation whitefly do not survive.

• Aphids (greenfly). 
• Use the same method described above for whitefly.
• General.
• Repeated foliar sprays of aerated compost tea should deter most airborne pests and diseases.
• Proper soil preparation and regular applications of home made compost should control soil borne pests.