In order for your basil to grow properly, it needs plenty of nutrients. We'll show you what to look out for when fertilizing basil.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is not only very thirsty, but is also very hungry. The aromatic herb is therefore also counted among the so-called heavy consumers. It is best to plant basil in a warm location, as it does not tolerate cool temperatures (below 10 °C) well. A culture in a pot is therefore ideal. But no matter whether you grow the basil in a pot or in a bed: Always make sure that there is an adequate supply of nutrients so that the herb thrives and you can harvest plenty of green leaves.
But when do you fertilize basil? Which fertilizers are suitable and what is the best way to proceed? We have answered these questions for you in this article.
When is the best time to fertilize basil?
Due to its sensitivity to cold, basil is usually cultivated in pots. More resistant basil varieties can also be planted outdoors over the summer without any problems. When planting, you should make sure that you choose a location with humus-rich soil or nutrient-rich substrate for cultivation in the pot. Poor soil can easily be upgraded with compost or manure. Especially the basil pots bought from the supermarket are happy about sufficient nutrients in the soil after transplanting. When planting, you can also work some fertilizer into the top layers. It is best to use organic long-term fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer. These are particularly gentle on your basil, the soil and the animals in your garden. The granules of our Plantura fertilizers dissolve when watered and are decomposed with the help of the microorganisms living in the soil. The nutrients are then gradually released to the plant. In this way you offer the basil optimal starting conditions in spring.
During the growth phase (May to September) it should be fertilized regularlybecause the need for nutrients is particularly high at this stage of development. Before you bring the basil inside in the fall to overwinter it, you should reduce the amount of fertilizer again. Since the plants do not grow as quickly during the cold season, they should only be fertilized in small quantities every four to six weeks.
Summary: When to Fertilize Basil?
- Basic fertilization in spring
- Fertilize regularly during the growth phase
- Reduce fertilization in winter
Fertilizing basil: How and with what to fertilize?
Every hobby gardener has to decide for himself which fertilizer is the right one. We give you an overview of which fertilizers are suitable for the nutrient supply of basil and how best to proceed with fertilization.
Fertilize basil organically
If basil is not fertilized enough, this has a negative effect on the harvest. But over-fertilization or an unbalanced supply of nutrients to the plant is not desirable either. In this regard, organic slow-release fertilizers offer a great advantage. Long-term fertilizers in granular form are easy to dose and thus minimize the risk of over-fertilization. Other advantages of organic slow-release fertilizers include the following:
- Long-term supply of nutrients as the fertilizer is only gradually decomposed
- Activation of soil life and sustainable improvement of soil structure
- Particularly gentle on the environment by not using chemicals
Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer fully meets all of these criteria and is therefore also wonderfully suited for the care of your basil plant. The high nitrogen content promotes both growth and leaf formation. Sufficient phosphorus and potassium are in turn important for root formation and the resistance of your plant. The production of the fertilizer from predominantly organic, vegetable residues from the food, luxury food and animal feed industry is also particularly resource-saving and sustainable.
So that you can provide your basil with the right amount of nutrients, we have prepared detailed fertilizer instructions for you below:
Organic Long-Term Fertilization: Instructions and Dosage Amounts for Basil
- Before planting: 40- Work 60 g/m² (3 to 5 tablespoons) of our Plantura organic universal fertilizer into the top soil layers or mix about 2 g/l (½ teaspoon) into the substrate for a pot culture
- Water the base well after inserting it so that the granules can loosen
- After 2 months you should fertilize again 30 - 50 g/m² (2 to 4 heaped tablespoons) or about 2 g/l for a pot culture
- Additional small doses of fertilizer during the growth phase optimally support the plant in its development
Fertilize basil with minerals
Blue grain, liquid fertilizers and co. offer the advantage that the nutrients are available in pure form and can thus be absorbed directly by the plant. However, this only provides a short-term nutrient boost for the heavily consuming basil. Nevertheless, due to the high s alt concentrations in mineral fertilizers, there is an increased risk of over-fertilization. If used improperly, the s alts can be washed out into deeper soil layers in outdoor cultivation and lead to contamination of the groundwater there. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, supply the basil with nutrients over a longer period of time and are much gentler on plants, animals and the environment.
Fertilize basil with home remedies
A natural fertilizer that occurs in almost every household is coffee grounds. This can be applied to the floor in a dry form as a thin layer. The actual waste product provides nitrogen to the plant while keeping pests away. However, you should not fertilize the basil too often with coffee grounds. Otherwise, over time, the pH value of the soil can drop into the acidic range, which the plant does not tolerate well in the long term.