something I'm not sure about so what to do ask someone who knowns on this site when I buy veg seed from one of our suppliers [growers seed] non pictorial packets I understand veg seed is V.A.T free I assume this includes potato seed and onion sets? but V.A.T is included  on flower seed so we pay V.A.T on flower seed bought from this supplier
 
 so Q. do we pay V.A.T  on pictorial packets of veg seed bought from a home gardener's  seed catalogue or garden centre? as I presume the V.A.T  is included in the flower seed price from both ?

Q. I also assume V.A.T is included in the compost we buy as home gardeners  BUT if I was a commercial grower buying compost we would be able to claim the V.A.T if I was V.A.T registered the same must also apply to flower seed but as I said not veg seed I welcome your replies on this topic

I have the below in my bed:
rosemary, bay, chives, mint - no issues, year on year

However, my thyme (common and lemon), oregano, marjoram and sage all struggle year on year.

They are planted in a raised bed.  Images attached.

Mint in a pot (to stop spread) - not yet back up, but usually does with no issue
All other herbs were lightly trimmed back pre winter.  This is what I did pre winter 2022 and they came back through for 2023, to be honest they didn't really go away, leaves through the 2022 winter to 2023.

Previous to 2022 I pruned back really hard and they always died.  Meaning rebuying and replanting, a pain!

2023 winter I did the same as 2022 - light pruning Sep 2023 hoping they would come back again. 
They haven't and look pretty sad. 

Can anyone advise on what best to do now? 

I'm thinking now it's a bit warmer I will trim right back and hope to see green stems, and when it becomes warmer, they will grow?

It has been very wet this year and the bed is quite sodden. 
When I planted these I added a lot of sand and grit as read best grown in poor soil,not heavy.

P.s. even this year the sage looks poor, always been fine before!

I live in Plymouth, SW England.

Any help most appreciated!

Thanks

Blue skies with fluffy white clouds for me too.

I've planted the ones I grew in pots but wondering if it's still too cold to sow some direct. Will they germinate as peas are normally quite hardy. They will be going inot a raised bed so no worry about the rains we've had.

Heard the cuckoo for the first time today.