The temperatures are rising, the sun is shining from the sky and the plants in your garden are crying out for water! The warmer it gets, the more often you have to reach for the garden hose 🛒 and quench the thirst of your lawn, flowers & Co. There are a variety of hoses that are suitable for small, large, winding and extensive gardens. The classic hose is made of PVC plastic and is available in various lengths. The longer the garden hose, the more difficult it is to store. There are a few tricks for storing it so that it doesn’t become a tripping hazard. You can find out what these are in this article.

Creative ways to store garden hoses

Most garden owners probably have a hose cart 🛒 or a hose box 🛒 to safely store the 20-, 30- or 50-meter long specimen after watering. That’s too boring for you? No problem!

A repurposed plant container

Perhaps there is still a large planter in your garden 🛒 that has been waiting in vain for a pretty planting. If you’re not sure which tree or shrub you should put in there, simply use it to store your garden hose for the time being. To do this, fold the hose into loops after use and store it safely in the planter. Similar to the planter, you can also use a large flower pot 🛒 for storage.

Tip: It is particularly clever if you cut a hole in the pot or planter and connect the garden hose directly to the water.

An old rim

This type of garden hose storage can already be seen in many gardens: An old rim is attached to the wall of the house or a pillar and the hose is simply wrapped around it.

Nicely hidden

If you primarily want to hide the garden hose, you can build a simple wooden box or shed. A planter box with hose storage blends particularly harmoniously into the garden.

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An old zinc tub for garden hose storage

Perhaps you still have an old zinc tub 🛒 at home. This is perfect for storing your garden hose. Simply find a suitable place in your garden to put the tub and your garden hose will have a permanent and stylish place.

Tip: Attach an old zinc pot 🛒 to the wall and wrap the hose around it in a similar way to the rim. A board attached to the pot provides additional storage space.

As you can see, it doesn’t take much effort to find an individual storage solution for the garden hose. Simply use the things you already have in the garden.

Source: diyncrafts.com

Do you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning and can’t start the day without the invigorating effect of the popular hot drink? Then welcome to the club! Whether it’s a cappuccino, latte macchiato, espresso or a simple cup of black coffee – as different as the preferences of the many coffee fans are, they are united by their enthusiasm for the early caffeine kick. But despite all the love for the brown bean, how often do you actually give your coffee pot a thorough clean?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone if you’re now bashfully thinking about some stubborn residue in your favorite pot. But there’s no need to panic! With a few clever home remedies, you can clean any coffee pot. Find out here how to get rid of those nasty deposits.

Dirty coffee pot: how easy it is to clean it

The good old coffee pot is rarely found on the table these days. In most households, fully automatic coffee machines or portafilter machines have long since replaced filter coffee. Coffee is prepared by the cup. For larger coffee tables, however, the (antique) coffee pot is still used. However, soiling is often a real nuisance, especially for jugs with a narrow neck. It’s not that difficult to clean the coffee pot if you know which household remedies can replace the tedious scrubbing.

Coffee pots 🛒, especially the older ones from grandma’s time, are characterized by a chic glaze, a small opening with a lid and a narrow neck. You can’t clean the coffee pot by hand, the opening is simply too small for that. And the neck of the jug in particular gradually collects deposits that are difficult to remove. But don’t worry! With a few tried and tested methods, you can get the inside of your jug sparkling clean again.

Method 1: Salt and lemon

For light soiling, a duo of ingredients that is probably already waiting to be used in your kitchen is sufficient: salt and lemon.

Here’s how it works:

• Add 2 teaspoons of salt and the juice of half a lemon to your coffee pot.
• Fill up with hot water.
• Close the jug tightly and shake vigorously or stir with a spoon.
• Leave the mixture to work for 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly and your jug will be as good as new!

Method 2: Baking powder or baking soda

If salt and lemon are not enough, you have to resort to stronger means. This is where baking powder or baking soda come into play. These kitchen wonders are real all-rounders and are particularly effective for heavy deposits.

And this is how it works:

• Empty a sachet of baking powder or baking soda into your coffee pot.
• Fill it up with hot water and stir.
• Leave the mixture to work for a few hours, preferably overnight.
• Rinse well the next morning – done!

Method 3: Dishwasher tabs and denture cleaner

If even baking powder or baking soda can’t dissolve stubborn residues, you’ll have to bring out the big guns. Dishwasher tabs or denture cleaner are real helpers in a pinch.

This is how professional cleaning works:

• Put a dishwasher tab or denture cleaner tablet in the coffee pot.
• Fill the pot with hot water.
• Leave everything to soak for about 30 minutes.

Tip: This way you can also clean vases that are difficult to access.

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After cleaning: Thorough rinsing is a must

Very important: No matter which method you choose, don’t forget to rinse thoroughly! Nobody wants to taste lemon residue or even a hint of denture cleaner in their next coffee. A little hot water, a few vigorous swirls and the pot is ready to go back into service.

With these tricks, you can effortlessly clean your coffee pot so that it’s sparkling clean again. So grab your freshly cleaned pot, invite a few friends over – the next coffee klatch can begin!

Source: lecker.de

Decorating the dining table makes it a real feel-good place. It’s a meeting place, a stage for spending time together and a reflection of your style. With the right decoration, it becomes the focal point of your home – functional, inviting and atmospheric at the same time. And the best thing is that you don’t need to invest a lot of money or a special occasion – just a good eye for detail and your personal sense of style.

Decorating the dining table: Ideas for every day and every season

The basis of a successful table decoration starts with fabrics and materials. A simple runner, natural placemats or a linen tablecloth bring structure to the table. Light colors such as beige, cream or sage look airy and friendly, while darker tones such as anthracite or navy blue provide elegant accents. Particularly beautiful: the contrast between a rustic wooden table and delicate textiles.

Seasonal elements also make your table lively. In spring, tulips or hyacinths provide freshness, in fall dried leaves, eucalyptus or small ornamental pumpkins work wonderfully. In winter, you can create a cozy atmosphere with cones, fir branches and warm candlelight. The following applies: Less is often more – rather choose a few elements that work together harmoniously.

Decoration with a personal touch and structure

Flowers are a classicwhich always works – but alternatives such as dried twigs or an arrangement of lemons and herbs also bring life to the table. It is particularly effective if you play with heights: a large jug as the centerpiece, plus smaller vases or lanterns in different sizes – this creates depth and tension.

When decorating, pay attention to the table shape. A round table can accommodate central arrangements, while a decorative line consisting of several elements looks more harmonious on long tables. Personal items such as ceramic bowls, small mementos or special napkin rings also add character to your table. This makes it not only beautiful, but also unique.

Practical tips for everyday life and special occasions

For everyday life a simple basic decorationthat you can quickly add to if required. A neutral runner, a glass jar with dried flowers and a few cloth napkins look classy – without getting in the way. When visitors arrive or an event is coming up, you can upgrade in just a few simple steps: fold cloth napkins, light candles or place additional flowers.

Especially for festive occasions, the color choice plays a major role. Warm gold tones are suitable for Christmas, fresh green or soft blue in summer. Small gifts on the plate or name cards also make an impression and create a personal atmosphere. At the same time, your table always remains functional – because decorations can be beautiful, but never distracting.

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Checklist: Decorating the dining table made easy

• Create the basis: Choose a tablecloth, runner or placemat made of linen, cotton or jute
• Decorate seasonally: Arrange flowers, branches or fruit to suit the season
• Play with heights: Place large vases, small candle holders and decorative objects in groups
• Set individual accents: Bring in personal objects, colors or accessories
• Design to suit the occasion: Enhance for guests with cloth napkins, candles or name cards

A fireplace is much more than just a source of heat. It can be the centerpiece of your living room or garden and create a cozy atmosphere. Decorating the fireplace properly makes it a real eye-catcher that emphasizes your style. Even if you don’t have a classic fireplace, you can create similar accents with an electric model, an ethanol fireplace or a fire pit in the garden.

Decorating a fireplace: Ideas for every style

The design of your fireplace depends on your personal taste and furnishing style. Particularly popular is the seasonal decorationthat you can adapt again and again. In autumn, warm colors, pumpkins and dried natural materials create a harmonious picture. In winter, fir branches, cones and candles add a festive touch to your fireplace.

If your fireplace has a ledge, you can use it to set the scene. Picture frames, vases or small sculptures are ideal here. For summer, glass vases with shells or sand look light and fresh. Make sure that the elements are arranged at different heights to create dynamism. If you prefer simplicity, a few selected pieces, such as a large candle or a minimalist bowl, are enough to create an elegant look.

Structuring the room with the fireplace

A modern fireplace can be accentuated with clean lines and neutral colors. Metallic details or geometric shapes go well with a minimalist style. For a rustic look, you can opt for natural materials such as wood, linen or ceramics. Piles of logs or a coarse basket next to the fireplace enhance the rustic charm.

If you are planning a special event, you can customize the decorations. For an elegant celebration, candlesticks in Gold or silver are particularly elegant. For a family evening, you can create a relaxed atmosphere with colorful garlands or seasonal ornaments. If the fireplace is not in use, you can decorate it with logs, cushions or a string of lights to maintain the cozy effect.

For more flexibility and safety

To ensure that your fireplace always looks fresh and inviting, it is worth changing the decoration regularly. Bowls, baskets or other flexible elements can be easily exchanged and adapted to the season or your mood.

With a real fireplace, you should make sure that the decoration heat-resistant and is not too close to the fireplace. Electric or ethanol fireplaces offer you more freedom, but also require some care to ensure that dust and dirt do not detract from the overall impression. With a little creativity and variety, your fireplace will become the focal point of your home.

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Checklist: Decorating the fireplace made easy

• Choose seasonAutumn, winter or summer – coordinate your decoration in terms of color and theme
• Use fireplace ledges: Emphasize the design with vases, candles or works of art
• Combine materialsWood, metal, glass and fabrics provide structure
• Place decorations safelyKeep distance from the fireplace, prefer heat-resistant elements
• Change regularlySet fresh accents depending on the season or occasion

If you’ve ever been surprised by a moth infestation, you’ll know how difficult it is to fight moths. But even if it’s difficult to get rid of the little beasts, our tricks can help you get rid of the pests again soon! Read on to find out which tips really help with pest control and what you should look out for.

Where do moths actually come from?

Moths enter your home through open windows or old carpets, blankets or used upholstered furniture. But they can also be brought into your home when you go shopping, as food such as flour is often already contaminated with moths.

How do I recognize moths?

The most common types of moths in the home are clothes moths and food moths. The term food moth refers to a whole range of species. For example, the dried fruit moth, the flour moth or the flour moth.

Clothes moths can be recognized by their light yellow to dark brown wings and indirectly, of course, by damage to clothing. The larvae of the moth cause the damage because they feed on keratin, which is found in animal products such as wool, fur, feathers, down and leather. Check your clothes, as well as curtains, carpets and upholstery, for small, irregular holes or bald patches.

Depending on the species, food moths are usually rather grey and often difficult to recognize, as the pests are small and inconspicuous. They prefer dry foods such as flour, rice, pasta, cornflakes, baking powder, cocoa, nuts and animal feed and contaminate them with their excrement and saliva. However, they do not pose a health risk and do not transmit diseases.

Fighting moths

Female moths usually lay between 250 and 300 eggs which, once hatched, eat their way through the contents of your wardrobe, leave droppings behind and continue to reproduce. If you do nothing to prevent this, you will have a moth infestation within a very short time, which will take a lot of effort to get under control.

Therefore, proceed as follows if you have discovered the pests in your home and want to combat the moths:

Wash textiles

If you are dealing with clothes moths, you should machine wash all infested items of clothing at a temperature of at least 50 °C. The insects usually do not survive the high temperatures.

Heat or cold

Delicate items of clothing that cannot be washed in the washing machine should be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for a week. This is because cold can also successfully combat moths.

Large textiles such as curtains, carpets or upholstered furniture fit neither in the washing machine nor in the freezer. In summer, place them in the blazing sun for several hours or blow-dry them on the highest setting to catch all the pests.

Be careful with leather sofas: They do not tolerate heat and can warp when blow-dried.

Remove food

If you are dealing with food moths, you should throw away all infested and adjacent food, as the small pests can easily eat through cardboard, paper, natural fibers and even plastic film.

Clean the cupboard

After you have removed all nests and affected textiles or food from the cupboard, you should first vacuum it out and then clean it thoroughly with vinegar cleaner. Finally, wipe it out again with warm soapy water.

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Clean the entire room

Finally, the room in which the moths have been located should also be cleaned. This includes skirting boards, cracks and crevices between cupboards, cavities, radiators and all areas that are covered by furniture. If not all areas can be reached easily, use a hairdryer again and blow-dry hard-to-reach areas at the highest setting to destroy all moth eggs and larvae.

Prevent further infestation

In order to protect yourself from another moth infestation, there are a few things you should bear in mind:

• Fit windows with fly screens
• Vacuum regularly
• Store unused clothing in plastic bags
• Clean out, rearrange, clean and air wardrobes several times a year
• only hang freshly washed clothes in the wardrobe (the smell of sweat, skin and hair dandruff attract animals)
• Wash curtains, carpets and cushions regularly at 60 °C
• Store flour, rice, pasta and muesli in glass or plastic containers
• Line your closet with scented sachets made from lavender, laurel, cloves or cedar wood

Moth traps

Moth traps can be used for the early detection and monitoring of moth infestations. These are so-called pheromone traps, which attract male moths with their attractants. These then stick to a layer of glue. This makes it easy to determine whether the pantry or closet is infested with moths.

However, the moth traps are not a method of combating moths, but rather a way of observing how severe the infestation already is. If more than 10 moths per week stick to the trap, steps should be taken quickly to combat them.

Ichneumon wasps

Ichneumon wasps are a simple remedy for moths. You can get them easily from DIY stores or online retailers. These are small insects that target the eggs of moths. They lay their eggs in those of the moths and feed on them at the same time. As soon as all the moth eggs have been eaten, the ichneumon wasps also die.

Make your own lavender sachets

You can buy lavender sachets relatively cheaply in shops, but they are also very easy to make yourself. All you need are dried lavender flowers, a cotton cloth, a cord and a pair of scissors. If you have lavender flowers in your garden, pick them between June and August and leave them to dry upside down for about a week. The dried flowers are then stuffed into the cloth and closed with the cord. They can then be placed in the closet where they will remain fragrant for up to two years.

If moths have taken up residence in your home, this is usually very unpleasant, as it involves a lot of work to get rid of them. Because they reproduce quickly, moths can quickly become a plague and cause considerable damage to various materials. Timely action and careful moth control are therefore necessary to get rid of the pests permanently.

Sources: moth-away, schöner-wohnen, otto
Thumbnails: ©pinterest/bobvila ©pinterest/top inspired

Carpets contribute significantly to the coziness in the home. But over time, they suffer from daily use, dirt and stains. Nevertheless, you can do without professional cleaning. Because you can get even stubborn stains out of most carpets yourself – using household products, the washing machine or a hand wash. Find out here what you need to bear in mind when cleaning carpets with household products.

It may seem trivial, but to keep your carpet clean and beautiful for a long time, you need to vacuum it regularly. If you have the money and space for another household appliance, you can also invest in a washing vacuum cleaner for time-saving deep cleaning of your carpet. If this is too time-consuming for you, you can just as easily clean the carpet with household products.

Cleaning carpets – household remedies and tips

If you want to remove damp stains from carpets, you should act quickly. This is because the liquid has not yet penetrated as deeply into the fibers and the stain is easier to get out. Therefore, try to soak up the liquid immediately with a cloth or kitchen paper. Do not rub or apply pressure, however, as this will cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Before you use a stain remover or one of the following home remedies for stains, you should use warm water and a clean cloth. Many stains are water-soluble and can be easily removed with gentle twisting movements.

Home remedies to clean the carpet

1. Vinegar: Mix vinegar essence with water in a 1:1 ratio. Soak a cotton cloth in the mixture and carefully dab the stain on the carpet. After half an hour, wipe the area with clean water.
2. Baking powder or baking soda: Sprinkle this on the stain and moisten with water. Leave on for several hours or at least until the mixture has dried, then vacuum.
3. Salt: For red wine stains, simply sprinkle salt on the stain from the outside inwards, leave to dry and vacuum after a few hours.
4. Shaving foam: Apply this to the stain and brush into the carpet. After one hour, remove the shaving foam and dirt with a cloth.

Wash the carpet yourself

Certain plant fibers (e.g. raffia, sisal and coconut fibers) only tolerate very little water. Here you should only treat the stain carefully with a damp cloth (or an old toothbrush if necessary) and a little detergent.

Leather carpets also hardly tolerate any water and should only be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth and a natural soap.

Some lambskin rugs can be cleaned in the washing machine on the wool program without spinning. However, there are also lambskin rugs that can only withstand cold water and a special moisturizing detergent, and even some that can only be dry-cleaned.

Washing carpets in the washing machine

Small and light rugs made of synthetic fabrics (e.g. polyester), cotton and wool can be washed in the washing machine at 30 °C on the delicate wash program.

Larger and heavier rugs are not suitable for conventional washing machines due to their weight. However, you can wash such rugs in a launderette if they are not too large. There are washing machines with more capacity.

Washing carpets by hand

1. Vacuum the carpet. Long-pile carpets should also be combed before washing.
2. Pre-treat stains with water and curd soap or a mild detergent.
3. Pour lukewarm water and a mild detergent into the bathtub and stir to form a suds solution.
4. Leave the carpet to soak for between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the material and degree of soiling.
5. Knead the carpet thoroughly and, if it is made of a robust material, treat it with a soft brush.
6. Then rinse the carpet several times with clean water until there is no more foam.
7. Finally, wring out the rug thoroughly and hang it on a washing line or clothes horse.
8. The carpet must be completely dry when you lay it out again, otherwise mold will form.

Sources: kaercher, utopia, house journal
Thumbnails: ©Flickr/Teresa Trimm ©Flickr/Stefani Spitzer

In Germany, an average of 33.8 liters of cola or mixed cola drinks such as Spezi were drunk per person in 2023. No wonder: the drink not only wakes you up, it also tastes delicious. Unfortunately, the soft drink contains a lot of sugar as well as some chemical colorants that are not particularly healthy. We can’t replace the delicious sugar, but you can make your own natural alternative with the so-called cola herb from the herb garden. We explain how to do it.

Cola herb: what’s behind the plant

The so-called cola herb is actually called Rue (lat. Artemisia abrotanum var. maritima) and originally comes from Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The robust herb is related to plants such as wormwood, tarragon and mugwort. All plants that have an intense smell or taste.

Reading tipDid you know that cola is an effective cleaning agent?

But in the meantime, rue has also found its way into German gardens are kept. However, the fact that a drink can be made from the perennial plant is still new to many people. Although the cola herb is not included in the recipe for Coca Cola, it can be used to “recreate” the popular drink. And this is how it works:

Cola herb recipe: Make syrup from cola rue

What you need:

• 60 g of cola herb (mountain rue)
• 1-2 organic lemons
• 250 l water
• 375 g raw cane sugar
• Measuring cup
• Cooking pot
• Washed out glass bottle or preserving jar

This is how it works:

1. Wash and juice the lemon. Hoe then chop the peel. However, the pieces do not have to be very fine.
2. Put the prepared lemon and juice together with water in a sufficiently large pan. Leave the whole thing on a low heat for three minutesbefore you continue.
3. Before you add the cola herb to the water, it must be washed be washed. Also remove woody areas.
4. Tip the lemon water through a sieve into a measuring jug. Add lemon water (if necessary) to make up to 250 ml of liquid.
5. Now put the water back into the pot and mix with the cane sugar brought to the boil.
6. When the sugar has dissolved, add the cola herb Add the cola herb. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cabbage well.
7. Now it’s time to wait: the cabbage remains in the pan for 12-18 hours. sugar water.
8. Almost done: Remove the cola weed and cook boil the syrup again briefly to preserve it.
9. The last step is to pour the cola syrup into a clean, hot rinsed glass bottle.

The next time you fancy a cold cola, you can mix some of the syrup with mineral water. Voilà: a natural version of the popular drink.

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Does cola really wake you up?

No, cola contains no caffeineso the homemade cola does not have the same effect as the original. But it is a medicinal plant and has a health-promoting effect on the human body. This is because cola contains essential oils and bitter substances that were already used in ancient Greece to treat various ailments. The cola herb is said to alleviate the following complaints:

• Respiratory diseases
• Muscle pain like during menstruation or childbirth
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Digestive problems
• Restlessness and stress

Attention: The cola herb can induce premature labor, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it.

Boar’s rue tea as a sugar-free alternative

Do you want to take advantage of the healing properties of cola, but want to avoid sugar? Then a tea made from cola herb is the healthy alternative. Simply pour boiling water over the fresh herb and sweeten it with honey or sugar as required. Of course, you can also order the medicinal herb as a dried 🛒 medicinal tea.

Sources: mein-schoener-garten, lichtyam

Watering houseplants needs to be learned. There is usually a fine line between “far too dry” and waterlogging. But one thing is certain: your beloved plants will die if they are not cared for properly. Fortunately, with the help of these tips, you can easily determine how often you should water your plants and what additional care they need. Read on to find out how to correctly assess the “thirst” of your houseplants.

However, it is important to note that every plant species has different needs. The tips should only serve as a general guide. Therefore, always inform yourself about the individual care of your plant, on which you will often find a label with care instructions. You can also ask the retailer directly about the correct handling of the respective plant.

Avoid waterlogging of houseplants

There are a few types of plants, such as primroses and mountain ash in the garden, that have no problem with waterlogging. However, potted plants only have a limited volume of soil available, so excessive watering should be avoided at all costs. Ivy plants, for example, need a moist substrate, but should never stand in water.

Succulents are the most sensitive plants. Their roots and stems quickly become moldy if they stand in water for a long time. Waterlogging prevents the plants from absorbing nutrients and oxygen through the roots. Once these have died, it becomes difficult to save the plant.

Correctly assess the water requirements of plants

You can now find out which 5 things you need to pay attention to in order to water your plants correctly.

Check the plant for yellow leaves

You should check your plants every two days. Leaves and any flowers can provide information about their well-being. The following characteristics can be signs that the plant needs water:

• Yellow or brown leaves
• withered flowers
• soft and drooping leaves
• sagging stems

Lifting the pot

You can test whether a plant needs water by lifting the flower pot. If it is heavy, there is still enough water in the soil. This method can be combined with other tricks until you get a feel for the weight of the pot. If the plant has a planter, you can see whether water has collected in the pot by lifting the plant.

Carry out a stick test

You can use a shashlik skewer or another stick to check the moisture content of the soil. To do this, stick the stick several centimeters deep into the soil. If the stick is dry, you should water the plant. If it is moist, you should do the test again two days later.

TipYou can of course also do the test with a finger. Here, too, you should make sure that you stick your finger deep enough into the soil.

Checking the quality of the soil

Sometimes it is also enough to look at the soil in the pot. Dry soil is lighter than moist soil. This method is particularly helpful for plant species that require permanently moist soil. Moldy soil should be carefully removed and you should wait until the soil is dry before watering the plant again.

Moisture sensor for the soil

If you don’t feel like or don’t have time to deal with the plants, moisture sensors 🛒 can be the solution. These measure the moisture content of the soil and let you know when it’s time to water.

SOS tip for dried out plants

If you have forgotten to water your plant, you can try to save it. To do this, fill a bucket with water and place the plant and its container (if it has a hole) or pot in it. Wait until there are no more air bubbles in the water. Then remove the plant and allow the excess water to drip off.

With these tips, you will hopefully never have to deal with moldy soil or dried out leaves again. You can find more articles about plants and gardening here:

Source: comment-economiser, utopia, myhomebook, home garden

Originally a classic of Mediterranean cuisine, basil has become an indispensable part of our kitchens. Who would want to do without the spicy green on a plate of tomato and mozzarella or can imagine a fresh green pesto without basil? However, this popular plant likes to drop its leaves and die. To prevent this from happening to you, you need to look after your basil properly – find out how here.

Proper basil care: tips for location, watering and harvesting

You usually buy it as a fresh plant in the vegetable section. However, what looks so juicy and lush in the store usually cuts a rather sad figure after a few days and ends up in the organic waste garbage can or on the compost heap with a heavy heart. However, it is quite possible to save the plant. There are even people who give their basil names and have a veritable cult surrounding the spice plant. But that’s exactly what you need: a good dose of dedication and the following tricks and tips.

Watering basil – the right amount

Most people go to two extremes: some water their basil overprotectively and literally drown it in water. Others don’t bother and let the soil dry out. The right thing to do, however, is to keep the soil evenly moist and avoid waterlogging. In addition, you should only water the soil, not the leaves, as otherwise fungi are encouraged.

The right location for basil

This Mediterranean plant loves as much light as possible. So choose the sunniest spot in the house if you want to keep it indoors. The garden or balcony is better, at least in the summer months. Outside, the plants get plenty of sun and fresh air and usually have more space to develop.

Growing basil in a pot

It is best to give the plants plenty of space. To do this, you can divide the pot from the store into four parts and plant each in an individual pot with plenty of fresh soil.

This is the soil basil needs

Please do not use herb soil for this, but high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil. Basil is demanding and hungry.

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Fertilizing basil correctly

Fertilize your basil once or twice a month with an organic liquid fertilizer for foliage plants (outdoors, every six weeks is sufficient). It will thank you with plenty of fresh leaves and pests such as spider mites will be kept at bay.

Harvesting basil

Many people believe it is best to pick individual leaves from different branches so as not to weaken any branch too much. In reality, however, it makes more sense to cut off entire stems. This makes the growth denser, as new shoots and leaves form at the cut points.

Basil in bloom: Can you still eat the leaves?

Cutting off the stems also has the advantage that you can control the flowering. This is because when the plant flowers, the leaves lose their size and aroma. However, if you overlook a branch and it starts to flower, don’t panic: The flowers are also edible, extremely tasty and an adornment for any salad.

Your basil arrives at your home rather stressed, as the stems are actually too densely packed in the finished herb pot, have too few nutrients and transportation is hard on them. This means that the plants only have a short life ahead of them when you buy them. However, if you provide them with a “species-appropriate environment”, they will thank you for it – in the best case for a long time.

Sources: t-online, utopia, gartenlexikon