Just like humans, herbs also need nutrients to grow and develop successfully. These nutrients are present in the soil and when water is added they dissolve (to some extent) and become available for the herb to take up through its roots.
Carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are available in the air and water so we don't often consider them when talking about plant nutrition.
The other nutrients are divided into macro and micro nutrients. The macro nutrients include calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur and they are required in higher concentrations than the micro nutrients.
Most soils contain all the nutrients herbs need; if they didn't the earth wouldn't have the plant diversity it has. However, your herbs usually grow better, or at least more quickly, when additional nutrition is offered to them.
In order to deliver nutrients to plants we created fertilizers. And they have taken on a life of their own. They are available in liquid, powder or granular forms. Can be worked into the soil, dissolved in water or applied as a foliar spray. And they are available in a variety of formulations.
Incorrect fertilizer usage is the 3rd most common cause of plant death, and the most common cause of plant injury. It is worth spending time to understand them so that you can have the best possible herb garden.
You may use any good commercial organic fertilizer of your choice. And you do have a choice nowadays. Just ask your garden centre to make a recommendation.
But here's the success secret…
Feed your herbs once every fortnight at only halve the products recommended dosage. You'll get even better results if you feed them once a week at only a quarter of the recommended dosage.
Herbs in pot need slightly more fertilizer than their buddies in the garden. Try your best to feed them at least once a week with a diluted fertilizer dissolved into their water.
Can you recommend a particular brand of fertilizer to use with herbs?
Posted by: Eric Fields | April 13, 2008 at 04:02 PM