Creating a herb bed is fun and largely independent of buying herbs in stores. But which soil do the aromatic kitchen refiners need? Here is an overview of the most important rules.
Native herbs prefer nutrient-rich soil
The always valid basic rule
What applies to other plants is no different for herbs: other varieties need different soil. However, herbs make it comparatively easy for the hobby gardener. They can be roughly divided into two groups:
- mainly local, nutrient-hungry herbs
- southern, soil-technically undemanding herbs
The first group mainly includes varieties that are often used in our culture as classic salad or soup herbs, such as chives, parsley, tarragon, lovage or borage.
These herbs like a humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil, preferably with a good proportion of compost. However, it should still be permeable, because herbs generally do not tolerate waterlogging. Expanded clay (€19.73) can make the substrate more permeable.
The frugal herbs include the typical varieties of Mediterranean cuisine such as rosemary, thyme, oregano or lavender.
These varieties like lean, very permeable soil with a high proportion of sand. With lavender in particular, you can also add some crushed lime.