Fresh herbs are always welcome in the kitchen. It's nice if you can grow them in your own garden or in a flower box or flower pot on the balcony. When cultivating, the question arises as to whether potting soil is suitable or whether you should use a special herb soil.
Can I use potting soil for herbs?
Peat-free potting soil is ideal for herbs because it is rich in humus and dense. Plant basil, add about 10 percent expanded clay. For chervil, dill and parsley, mix a handful of clay powder into the soil.
Soil requirements of herbs
Depending on which herbs are involved, the requirements for nutrients, water and soil conditions also vary.
While Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary and thyme, prefer dry and sandy soil, Parsley, chives and peppermint like nutrient-rich soil mixed with compost. In general, the soil for all herbs should be loose and permeable; the tender herbs cannot tolerate waterlogging. The need for fertilizer and light also varies. Here you should find out exactly what needs the different herbs have.
Reasons to avoid pure potting soil
Potting soil is specially formulated for indoor, potted, balcony and patio plants. It contains nitrogen, phosphates and sulfur in higher concentrations, but less potassium than normal garden soil. Important components are peat or humus, fiber and clay granules. Herbs don't grow well in pure potting soil because
- it is too dense and too rich in humus
- it lets through less water than garden soil
- waterlogging can quickly occur
- The higher humidity can cause mold to form quickly
- the nutrient content is too high due to fertilizer depots
- Too many nutrients can cause growth problems in herbs, for example yellow leaves if there is excess calcium
The right soil for cultivating herbs
The easiest way to find the right herb soil (€6.00 on Amazon) is to go to the gardening store. A wide variety of special earths are offered here.
However, you can mix your herbal soil yourself. The basis is actually potting soil, which, depending on the type of herb, is mixed with sand or grit. This results in a looser soil with suitable nutrient content and permeability.
The mixing ratio of the ingredients depends on the requirements of the herbs. Normal garden soil can also be used if it is improved with compost, sand and granules to improve the soil.
