In order to optimally develop its lush leaves and valuable ingredients, mint requires a balanced supply of nutrients. Since the harvest is processed into food and drinks, chemical-mineral fertilizers are taboo. You can find out how to properly fertilize mint here.
What is the best way to fertilize mint?
To properly fertilize mint, you should use organic fertilizers such as compost, cattle manure, guano granules, plant manure or wood ash. Mint in the bed should be fertilized every 14 days, while potted mint needs liquid fertilizer or fertilizer sticks weekly.
These organic fertilizers stimulate he althy growth
Organic fertilizers are not immediately absorbed by mint plants. Rather, busy microorganisms first have to process the ingredients so that they are absorbed by the roots. The result is a permanent supply of all important nutrients and trace elements, without the risk of over-fertilization. These organic fertilizers have proven themselves in the herb garden:
- ripe compost
- grained cattle dung
- Guano granules
- Plant manure (nettle, comfrey)
- Horn shavings as a nitrogen supplier
- Wood ash for potassium supply
In this way, all types of mint receive a very he althy mixed diet, instead of enriching mineral components of chemical fertilizers and releasing them into our food. The deceptively exuberant growth after mineral fertilization is not beneficial for the vigorous mint anyway. The plant would have to be cut back even more often than usual.
Instructions for properly fertilizing mint
At what time and in what dosage mint is fertilized depends on various factors. The age of the plant, the quality of the soil and the location also play a role. A herb plant in the bed can absorb both solid and liquid fertilizer. Mint in a pot handles liquid preparations and sticks or cones better. How to handle it correctly:
- Do not fertilize freshly planted mint in pre-fertilized soil
- Provide established bedding plants with organic fertilizer every 14 days from May to August
- Pamper mint on the balcony weekly with liquid fertilizer (€19.00 on Amazon)
- alternatively administer guano fertilizer sticks with long-term effects in May and July
Since mint in the planter is repotted into fresh substrate every 2 years due to its expansive growth, fertilizing is only part of the care program every other year. A crop rotation of 3 to 4 years is recommended in the bed.
Tips & Tricks
Did you know? If you don't have your own garden, you can easily produce natural compost on your balcony. This can be achieved with a worm composter that processes organic plant and kitchen waste. The result is rich humus for your balcony plants and worm tea as a natural liquid fertilizer.
