How and When to Fertilize Basil | Gardener's Path

How and When to Fertilize Basil

Basil is a delightful herb grown for its aromatic and delicious foliage.

Knowing how and when to fertilize your basil can be the difference between harvesting luscious leaves with sublime flavor or small ones with a bland, mediocre taste!

These easy-care annuals grow happily when provided with warm temperatures, full sun, and a good drink of water. And they develop many new sets of leaves when pinched and harvested regularly.

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If you need a refresher on how to cultivate these tasty herbs, check out our basil growing guide.

Basil will do fine with just a sprinkle of slow release fertilizer granules in spring.

But slow release granules are, as the name suggests, slow and they don’t always release nutrients at the times when they’re most needed – such as when a herb like basil has had its growing tips pinched to promote branching.

What’s needed to encourage speedy new growth for a steady crop of lush, large leaves are frequent feeds with a liquid or water soluble fertilizer, which releases nutrients immediately.

However, it’s important not to feed them too often or with full-strength fertilizer.

Too much fertilizer can dilute and weaken the essential oils that give these herbs their glorious taste and scent.

On the other hand, a lack of nutrients can result in small, stingy leaves and slower, impatience-provoking growth.

The key to premium flavor, fast growth, and large leaves is to apply the right dosage at the right time.

So if your flavor buds are tingling for that sweet, spicy flavor, let’s jump into how and when to fertilize basil for tasty, luscious leaves!

Here’s a quick