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You know that fertilization is a great way to promote plant growth, but when it comes to herbs, fruits, and other edibles, you have to be careful about what you put into the ground. That’s because what the plant absorbs will go directly into your body — and you definitely don’t want to be ingesting dangerous chemicals!
I always recommend organic fertilizers when you’re growing food products because they’re often just as effective as synthetic food, but so much safer for you and the environment. When it comes to organic fertilizer for basil, you need something that provides the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that your plants crave. You can purchase safe options online or at your local store, but you can also make them yourself to save money and know for certain what’s going into your garden.
Keep reading to learn more about how coffee grounds, kelp, bone meal, and other eco-friendly fertilizers can help your basil plants grow bigger and stronger. You’ll also learn more about how to fertilize basil and how to water to prevent burning, wilting, and mold.
The Best Organic Fertilizers for Basil
There are several options for organic fertilizers for basil, including some that you can make yourself with a little time and effort. If you decide to buy any at a store, be sure to stick with trusted brands so you can be confident that they’re free of chemicals.
Compost
No matter what kind of plant food for basil you ultimately choose to use, you’ll increase the bioavailability of nutrients if you also include compost. In addition to adding nitrogen and other nutrients that herbs love, compost is full of organic matter. Create your own compost by finding a spot in the yard to combine grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, newspaper, eggshells, and fruit and vegetable scraps.
Coffee grounds
You’ve probably heard that basil like coffee grounds. While that’s true, basil’s desire for coffee isn’t the same as yours. Rather than using coffee grounds alone (which could harden to create a tough barrier that prevents water from reaching the plant’s roots), throw your old coffee grounds into your compost pile. The grounds will add the acidity that basil likes.
Wood Ash
While not exactly plant food for basil on its own, wood ash can help increase soil pH to create more favorable conditions for growing this herb. When making your own, be careful to only use natural, raw wood that hasn’t been painted or otherwise treated. You can apply wood ash to the soil as needed or mix it in with compost.
Kelp meal
Kelp meal is an organic fertilizer rich in potassium that’s made from seaweed. It’s made by drying seaweed and then grinding it to produce a granular powder. Unless you have access to fresh seaweed and the time and space to dry it yourself, it’s easier to buy it.
Cottonseed meal
Full of nitrogen, cottonseed meal, like this popular choice, is another excellent example of basil fertilizer. Made from ground cotton seeds, as the name suggests, this is another ingredient that’s easier to purchase than make yourself, but it’s totally organic and free of chemicals.
Bone meal
Bone meal is an excellent source of the phosphorus that basil needs in order to thrive. While also commercially available, this is one fertilizer for basil that you can also make on your own. It involves baking the discarded bones of a chicken until they’re dry and then pulverizing them in a food processor.
How to Fertilize Basil Organically
Basil is a rather self-sufficient plant — give it enough water and let it bask in the sun, and it will grow tall and bushy. However, you can help make your plant stronger and healthier by monitoring its soil and adding fertilizer when necessary. This herb loves an equal mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so you’ll need to maintain this ratio when fertilizing basil.
When to Fertilize Basil
To boost your basil plant’s leaf production so you can enjoy this delicious herb in the kitchen, you should fertilize it every four to six weeks. Also consider investing in a soil test kit. Some nutrients, like phosphate and potassium, can build up in the soil, so you’ll want to adjust your fertilization efforts to save money, and more importantly, give your basil plants exactly what they need.
How to Fertilize Basil with Compost
Compost provides an excellent base for basil and is at the heart of organic gardening. If you’re planting seeds or transplanting grown plants, mix a generous portion of compost with your potting soil to enrich the area. You can also add some extra compost every time you fertilize with other ingredients.
How to Fertilize with DIY 10-10-10
If basil could talk, it would tell you that its fertilizer sweet spot is 10-10-10, meaning equal portions of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. While you can buy a premade mix, it’s also easy enough to buy the individual ingredients to make your own. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 2.5 lbs kelp meal
- 1.25 lbs cottonseed meal
- 0.6 lbs bone meal
Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly and store in a pail or resealable bag. When you’re ready to use, spread 0.75 lbs for every 50 square feet of your basil garden and then water thoroughly to prevent burning your plants.
One of the nicest things about this organic fertilizer for basil is that you’re free to adjust the formula as needed. If your soil tests show that you have enough potassium in the soil, for example, you can simply reduce the kelp or remove it entirely.
Watering Tips for Growing the Healthiest Basil
Practicing proper watering techniques is just as important (if not more so) as fertilizer when it comes to taking care of basil. If your soil tests show that your nutrients are in order, the next questions to ask are “how much water does basil need?” and “how often should I water my basil?” Keep reading to learn the answers.
Water Once Per Week
Basil needs lots of sun and water to grow up big and healthy, but too much of a good thing can cause problems. To keep from overwatering your plant, tend to it just once a week. Of course, if you live in a hot environment or your plants show signs of thirst (wilting and shrinking), water more often. Another way to test whether your basil needs more water is to dig about two inches into the soil. If it’s dry, your basil needs more water.
Water Slowly
Worried that watering once a week isn’t enough? You might be leaving your plants too thirsty when you do water. The easiest way to ensure your plants get enough moisture is to water long and slow. If your plants are in the ground, you can use a soaker hose to provide a steady stream. Otherwise, use a water bottle or watering can, this is a great choice and highly recommended. The idea is to soak the soil without allowing it to become waterlogged.
Water in the Morning
As basil doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil, it’s best to water your plants in the morning. This gives your herbs plenty of time to absorb what they need and then allow the sun to evaporate off the excess.
Water at the Base of the Plant
You can think of basil like a cat: It needs its water, but it doesn’t like to get wet. To prevent basil diseases as well as the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew, make sure to apply water at the base of the plant and not the leaves.
Wrapping It Up
Basil is such a wonderful herb. Not only is it fragrant and delicious, but it doesn’t require a ton of care. When it does need fertilizing, you can turn to organic basil food to keep it and yourself healthy and free of chemicals. The most important thing to remember when it comes to basil fertilizer is not to overdo it. Stick to the magic ratio of 10-10-10, and you’ll see amazing results. Want to grow more food? Check out the ultimate guide to growing spinach and how to grow strawberries from scraps for helpful tips.