Fertilizing herbs is a hotly debated topic in the gardening community. The general consensus is that most should not be fertilized - especially if you plan to use them as an ingredient in food. Herbs are quite resilient to begin with, and if they grow too much, they lose a lot of their aroma and taste. If you still want to fertilize herbs, here's how to do it correctly.
Fertilizing herbs – when does it make sense?
Fertilize herbs early in their growth cycle for best results. Most of them start growing in early spring, making this the best time to fertilize. This way, the plants benefit from the nutrients at the time of year when they need the most nutrients.
Fertilize garden herbs only when absolutely necessary. Outdoor herbs like sage, lavender, and chamomile generally stay healthy without fertilizing, as long as you water them regularly and give them plenty of sunlight.
Herbs typically need 6-10 hours of sunlight per dayto stay healthy and strong. They are extremely hardy and usually only die quickly if your soil doesn't drain properly or they don't receive enough sunlight.
Avoid fertilizing culinary herbs to preserve their aroma. Do not fertilize herbs that you plan to use as an ingredient in a meal. Fertilizer can make plants grow larger, but it also absorbs most of the plants' aromatics, making them tasteless and bitter.
- warning: If you have an herb like mint, thyme, chives, oregano or basil, you definitely shouldn't fertilize! Mint is a particularly bad plant to fertilize. It is invasive and will quickly overgrow other plants or outgrow your pot if you provide it with fertilizer.
Fertilize herbs when you plant them
When planting your herb, use an organic, water-soluble fertilizerto promote growth. Any fertilizer will do, but mixtures containing fish oil or seaweed work best for herbs.
- Avoid liquid fertilizer if you can. They tend to retain nutrients for longer than necessary, which can lead to overgrowth once your herbs are planted.
Use a spoon to scoop up the fertilizer. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of the fertilizer into your potting soil. Then work the fertilizer deeper into the soil with your hands. Move the soil back and forth for 10-20 seconds to spread it out.
- The amount of fertilizer you need to use depends on the plant and the amount of soil in the pot. The less soil there is and the smaller the herb, the less fertilizer you need. Generally, 1-2 small scoops is a healthy amount for an average herb.
Plant your herbs in the center of the soil and press the sides together. Use your hands or a trowel to create an opening in the center of the floor. Spread the soil around the sides and place your plants in the soil. Orient them so that the stems are flush with the surface of the soil. Scoop the soil back into the center of the pot and press the soil down around the plants with a trowel or your hand.
- Notice: By squeezing the area around the plant, you ensure that the herb's roots are completely surrounded by soil and remain stable while they establish.
Water your plants immediately after planting. Once your plants are in the ground, fill a watering can with lukewarm water. Give your plants a quick sip by pouring 2-3 cups of water over the soil. This ensures that the water-soluble fertilizer immediately supplies your freshly potted herbs with a healthy dose of nutrients.
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Care for your herb plants with fertilizer
Fertilize herbs once every 3-6 months as needed. If you notice that they tend to dry out and wilt after 1-2 months of planting, they may need a regular dose of fertilizer to keep them healthy throughout the year.
Obtain a 5-10-5 mixture of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. Nitrogen promotes the color and strength of the herbs, while phosphate ensures that the roots remain healthy. Potassium helps the plant stay strong and resilient as it grows.
Sprinkle half the recommended amount into the soil. Check the fertilizer packaging for the recommended amount for plants and halve that amount to determine how much you need for your herbs. Typically this is 1-2 pea-sized pinches of fertilizer. To spread the fertilizer, sprinkle it on the soil around your plant.
