Have you ever wondered why your herbs just don't look happy? Or why don't you grow as you want? Very often it is due to the earth - yes, really! The right floor is the secret for healthy, aromatic herbs. Whether you are a garden professional or just start, here you will find out everything you need to know about herbal earth. And the best thing about it? It is not as complicated as it sounds. Are you ready for the most aromatic herb garden that grows at your home?
Why is the earth so crucial?
Imagine that the soil is the home of your herbs. He gives them a stop, provides them with nutrients and ensures that they get enough water - but not too much. If the floor is not correct, your herbs cannot grow properly. Too much water? Root rot. Too little nutrients? Weak plants. Wrong PH value? The herbs cannot absorb the nutrients. Sounds complicated? Don't worry, I'll explain it step by step.
What is the perfect herb earth?
The ideal herbal earth has three superpowers:
- Good drainage:Herbs hate wet feet! The number one enemy is waterlogging. Therefore, the earth must be loose and permeable. Ingredients such as sand, perlite or bloated tone ensure that excess water can drain off.
- Balanced nutrients:Herbs need nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to grow healthy. But be careful: the aroma of the herbs can affect too much fertilizer. A slightly nutrient -rich earth is ideal.
- The right pH value:Most herbs love a slightly acid to neutral pH (between 6.0 and 7.0). Too high or too low pH value can lead to the plants cannot correctly absorb nutrients.
AndIn this articleFind out which herbs you can plant together.
Mix or buy herbal earth yourself?
When it comes to the earth for your herbs, you have two options: you can buy finished herbal earths or put together your own mix. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
- Kaufen:Finished herbal earths are super practical! They are often specially tailored to the needs of certain herbal groups. But be careful: many contain peat, which is environmentally questionable, or too much compost that can harm some herbs.
- Mix yourself:Mixing your own earth is a little more effort, but it gives them full control over the ingredients. So you can perfectly match the mixture to your herbs.
Recipe for a universal herbal earth:
- 1/3 garden soil or high -quality potting soil
- 1/3 sand (preferably quartz sand or lavasand)
- 1/3 compost (optional, as required of the herbs)
Mix herbal earth yourself: step by step
- Collect ingredients:Obtain garden soil, sand, compost and, if necessary, some additives such as Perlite or Vermiculit.
- Mix the ingredients:Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a large container. Do this well so that everything connects nicely.
- Test drainage:Put some water onto the earth. It should flow well and do not stop in the pot - this is important so that your herbs do not drown.
- Fill pots:Fill your pots or boxes with the homemade herbal earth.
- Plant herbs:Now it's time to use your herbs! Plant them into the ground and give them some water so that you can grow well.
When to buy, when to mix?
Kaufen:If you have little time or just want to fill a few pots, ready -made herbal earth is the easier choice.
Mix yourself:If you have many herbs, want to meet special requirements or value sustainability, it is worth mixing the earth yourself.
The right earth for different types of herbs
Not all herbs are the same - and this also applies to their demands on the earth. Here you will find the optimal earth for the most common herb types:
1. Mediterranean herbs: rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage
These herbs come from sunny, dry regions and therefore need lean, sandy earth.
Ideal mix:
- 60 % potting soil (or garden soil with a low nutrient content)
- 40 % sand or gravel
- Optional: Add a handful of lime for a slightly alkaline pH and quartz sand or lava sand to further improve the permeability.
2. Local herbs: parsley, chives, mint, dill
These herbs need a nutrient -rich earth that is moisturizing. An optimal mix could be:
- 50 % potting soil
- 35 % Sand
- 15 % compound
- These herbs thrive in a neutral to slightly acidic pH area.
3. Herbs with a high nutrient requirement: basil, tarragon, borage
These herbs thrive best in a humus -rich, loose earth. The perfect mix would be:
- 50 % garden soil
- 25 % compound
- 15 % wurmhumus
- 10 % bloated tone
- These herbs prefer a neutral pH.
AndFind out herewhich earth is best suited for orchids.
Practical tips for growing herbs
Buying herbs is easier than you think. Here are the most important tips so that your herbs thrive well:
- Location choice:Most herbs love sun. Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme need at least 6 hours of sun a day. Note that herbs such as parsley and mint can also cope with less sun, they prefer partially shade.
- Irrigation:The floor should always be slightly damp, but not wet. Avoid waterlogging! Too much water harms the roots. Only pour when the top layer of soil is dry.
- Fertilization:Less is more, herbs don't need much fertilizer. Use compost or organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Beware of Mediterranean herbs: rosemary and thyme need almost no fertilizer.
- Harvest:Harn regularly to stimulate growth. Only cut part of the plant so that it can regenerate. Harn in the morning, because then the essential oils are the most. AndIn this articleFind the best tips for harvesting and drying herbs.
