Hello Again, Budding Gardener!

✨🌱 It’s your herbaceous helper, Regan O., here to sprinkle some flavorful magic on your gardening adventure! Today, we’re diving into a secret ingredient for a thriving herb garden: fertilizer! Picking the right blend and using it wisely will help your basil, oregano, parsley, and cilantro become the stars of your kitchen. Let’s dive into what each of us needs to grow big and strong!

🌿 Basil – The Leafy Sweetheart
Basil loves to grow big, fragrant leaves, so it needs a little boost of nitrogen to stay happy.

• Start with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 when planting.
• Feed basil every 3-4 weeks to keep it lush and leafy.
• Bonus Tip: Use compost or organic fertilizer for an extra tasty harvest—it makes the leaves even more flavorful!

🌱 Oregano – The Zesty Performer
I like it simple and don’t need too much fuss (told you I’m easygoing). A light touch of fertilizer will do the trick.

• Use a balanced fertilizer like 5-10-5 once every 4-6 weeks to keep me growing strong.
• Too much fertilizer can make my leaves less flavorful, so remember: less is more!
• Bonus Tip: Organic compost or well-rotted manure keeps me super zesty and flavorful.

🍃 Parsley – The Green Powerhouse
Parsley thrives with a steady supply of nutrients to grow those delicious, curly or flat leaves.

• Start with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 at planting, and then feed parsley every 2-3 weeks.
• Nitrogen helps parsley grow leafy and green, so make sure your fertilizer has a good amount.
• Bonus Tip: Liquid seaweed or fish emulsion is a parsley favorite—it’s like a yummy smoothie for plants!

🌿 Cilantro – The Quick Grower
Cilantro is a speedy grower and needs a gentle touch to stay leafy and fresh without bolting (going to seed).

• Use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 when planting and every 2 weeks after.
• Don’t overdo it—too much fertilizer will make cilantro stretch out instead of staying bushy.
• Bonus Tip: A little bit of compost mixed into the soil keeps cilantro growing happily without overwhelming it.

Regan O.’s Fertilizer Tips for Herb-Tastic Success:
✨ Water Before Feeding: Always water the soil before fertilizing to protect our roots—no one likes a root burn!
✨ Timing is Everything: Fertilize in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t too hot.
✨ Keep It Off the Leaves: Sprinkle the fertilizer around the base of the plant and let it soak into the soil—our leaves don’t like fertilizer baths.
✨ Don’t Overdo It: Follow the instructions on your fertilizer label and remember that herbs don’t need a ton of feeding.

With just the right touch of fertilizer magic, your basil, oregano, parsley, and cilantro will grow into the most amazing herbs ever! Keep up the great work, garden superstar—you’re making the world (and your kitchen) so much tastier!

Your Zesty Pal,
Regan O. 🌱