- Which location do herbs prefer?
- How do you water herbs properly?
- Do you have to fertilize herbs?
- What to do against snails in the garden?
- How can herbs be propagated well?
- Overwinter herbs properly
- Cut and harvest herbs properly
In order for herbs to develop their full aroma and grow healthily, they need the right care.
Herbs are easy to care for, but they need sufficient water
Which location do herbs prefer?
The vast majority of herbs prefer sunny locations. Only with plenty of light and direct sunlight do they develop their full aroma. All Mediterranean species are particularly demanding in this respect, and their hunger for sun can often be seen from their silver-grey leaves.
How do you water herbs properly?
In our latitudes, the natural rainfall for planted herbs is usually completely sufficient for water supply - for the Mediterranean herbs, however, it can be too much. Basically, you only have to water in long-lasting dry periods. However, for the moisture-loving species, the soil should never dry out completely.
Do you have to fertilize herbs?
All herbs are happy about a handful of compost in the spring (put about one to two centimeters high in the bed). Treat annual species and the more demanding perennials to a slightly larger portion and fertilize them again in early summer. Organic fertilizers such as horn shavings (€32.93) and algae preparations are also very suitable.
What to do against snails in the garden?
Snails are a real nuisance in the herb garden. Thorough prevention is the best way to keep these under control: After heavy rainfall, rake up the soil surface soon so that the soil can dry out more quickly and become uninteresting for the animals. Lay out small boards or flat stones in the beds, under which the snails like to retreat. There you can easily collect them in larger quantities in the morning and evening hours.
How can herbs be propagated well?
For all annual to biennial species, sowing is the only possible propagation method. Perennial (i.e. perennial) herbs, on the other hand, can also be propagated vegetatively, for example by division, cuttings or layering.
Overwinter herbs properly
Most herbs can stay outside in winter and only need light winter protection in very severe locations.
Cut and harvest herbs properly
The best care and rejuvenation of herbs consists in the regular harvesting of shoots and shoot tips, depending on the plant species. In the case of woody subshrubs, pruning the shoots stimulates branching and therefore promotes beautiful bushy growth. For this reason, you should always cut back your herbs vigorously in the spring before new shoots appear. On the other hand, cut off herbaceous species whose shoots die off in winter anyway (such as oregano or peppermint) in autumn or spring.
tips
Herbs are best harvested in the late morning hours and the cuttings are collected in baskets so that they are airy. In the midday heat, essential oils evaporate and the aroma is lost.