{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "record_type": "plant",
  "slug": "lemon-balm",
  "botanical_name": "Melissa officinalis",
  "categories": [
    "culinary herb",
    "perennial crop",
    "container crop"
  ],
  "common_name": "Lemon balm",
  "difficulty": "Easy",
  "family": "Lamiaceae",
  "growth_habits": [
    "upright",
    "clump-forming"
  ],
  "lifecycle": "Herbaceous perennial",
  "requirements": {
    "container": {
      "minimum_diameter_cm": 25,
      "minimum_volume_litres": 10,
      "plants_per_container": 1
    },
    "harvest": {
      "typical_uk_months": [
        "April",
        "October"
      ]
    },
    "light": {
      "minimum_direct_sun_hours": 4,
      "preferred_direct_sun_hours": 6
    },
    "planting_out": {
      "frost_tolerant": true,
      "label": "Plant",
      "minimum_reliable_temperature_c": 5,
      "note": "Mild-weather establishment allowance, not a hardiness limit; harden off seedlings and avoid waterlogged soil"
    },
    "soil_ph": {
      "maximum": 7.5,
      "minimum": 6.0
    },
    "spacing": {
      "maximum_cm": 60,
      "minimum_cm": 45
    }
  },
  "summary": "Lemon balm is a hardy perennial culinary herb for sun or partial shade, with lemon-scented leaves and a need to manage vigorous clumps and self-seeding.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "rhs-growing-lemon-balm",
      "publisher": "Royal Horticultural Society",
      "url": "https://www.rhs.org.uk/herbs/lemon-balm/grow-your-own",
      "supports": [
        "sowing",
        "containers",
        "winter_care"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "usu-lemon-balm",
      "publisher": "Utah State University Extension",
      "url": "https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/lemon-balm-in-the-garden",
      "supports": [
        "spacing",
        "watering",
        "feeding",
        "pests",
        "harvest"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "illinois-lemon-balm",
      "publisher": "Illinois Extension",
      "url": "https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/lemon-balm",
      "supports": [
        "self_seeding",
        "pruning",
        "cultivars",
        "storage"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "wisconsin-lemon-balm",
      "publisher": "University of Wisconsin Extension",
      "url": "https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis/",
      "supports": [
        "identity",
        "cultivars",
        "division"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "umn-growing-herbs",
      "publisher": "University of Minnesota Extension",
      "url": "https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/growing-herbs",
      "supports": [
        "soil_ph",
        "indoor_light"
      ]
    }
  ]
}