Basil will grow bigger, tastier and more fragrant leaves if fed 1 powerful kitchen scrap

Basil is one of the most beloved herbs in home gardens, and for good reason-it's fragrant, flavourful, and relatively easy to grow. However, like any plant, basil thrives best when given the right nutrients. If your soil is rich, your plants may do just fine with no fertiliser; however, this is not the case for most indoor and garden plants.

The plant is a fast-growing herb that requires regular feeding to stay productive. It needs nitrogen for leafy growth, phosphorus for strong roots, and potassium for overall plant health. Without proper nutrients, basil leaves may turn pale, growth may slow, and the plant could become more susceptible to pests or diseases.

Suppose you want to grow lush, aromatic basil without using chemical fertilisers. In that case, you'll be glad to know that your kitchen scraps can "serve as a powerful, organic alternative", according to the experts behind the Top Garden Tricks page on Facebook.

They said: "Organic fertilisers made from kitchen scraps offer a balanced way to feed basil while improving soil health naturally. These fertilisers release nutrients slowly, encouraging healthy, sustained growth."

The pros claimed that vegetable scraps are one of the "most effective" ways for fertilising basil naturally.

Peels, stems, and trimmings from carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and other vegetables are rich in nutrients. These can be composted to create a balanced, slow-release fertiliser for basil plants.

To use them on basil plants, you will need to start a small compost bin with kitchen scraps. After a few weeks, when the compost has broken down into dark, crumbly material, add it to the base of your basil plants.

If you don't have a compost pile, consider blending vegetable scraps with water to make a "compost smoothie" and pour it around the base of the plant. Use only fresh, non-oily vegetable waste.

Apply in moderation. Water your basil plant with the solution every two weeks. Overfeeding with rich fertilisers can cause leggy growth or nutrient imbalances.

Alternatively, eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, which helps strengthen plant cell walls.

While basil doesn't demand high calcium levels, a small boost can improve its overall health, especially in container-grown plants.

To use them, rinse and crush eggshells into small pieces. Mix into the top layer of soil or add to compost. Crushed eggshells also help deter pests like slugs.