Basil is truly not a contemptible food. In contrast to other types of herbs, the nutrient requirement is at a high level. This is how you fertilize the royal herb professionally in the bed and pot.

Do not let basil starve in the bed

In terms of nutrient requirements, basil is exceptional as a heavy feeder among the kitchen herbs. In order to show the desired growth, the soil should primarily be humus and nutritious. Of course, this is only an important starting point, because an additional supply of nutrients in the bed is indispensable during the course of the growing season. How to do it right:

  • Give compost and horn shavings (32.93€) weekly from May to September
  • Work additional granulated cattle manure (€18.80) into the potting soil every 14 days
  • Rake in and water at a dosage of 100-120 grams per square meter
  • A light layer of coffee grounds every now and then provides nitrogen to the basil and keeps snails away

In this combination of different organic fertilizers, there is no need to add complete mineral fertilizers. Chemical-based preparations of this kind are frowned upon on aromatic plants in the hobby garden anyway, since in this case nitrate could be stored in the leaves.

Fertilize royal herb in the pot organically - this is how it works

In the narrowly limited substrate volume of a planter, the focus is even more on the supply of nutrients than in a herb bed. In order for the spice plant to develop its full potential, the amount of fertilizer used must be adequately balanced. A little tact is required here, because over-fertilization also has a counterproductive effect. How to handle the topic skillfully:

  • Supply the basil in the bucket with organic liquid fertilizer weekly
  • Alternatively, press guano fertilizer sticks (€4.48) into the substrate in May and July
  • When planting in pre-fertilized substrate, fertilize for the first time after 4-6 weeks at the earliest

Basil is also grateful for an additional dose of coffee grounds every 4 weeks on the balcony. It should be borne in mind that coffee grounds lower the pH value and should not be used too often.

tips and tricks

If you do not sow basil, but buy it as a ready-made plant, the following principle has top priority: pot the basil you have bought at home immediately, divide it into 3 segments and plant them individually in nutrient-rich compost-based substrate. Otherwise, the joy of the herbal plant will last a week at most.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden