[OB]

Hi Everyone,

I've just had a new patio built that has two planters on the edges. I intend to grow herbs in the planters but wondered if anybody can advise what the best soil or compost to use is, I have to get some at the weekend.

Thanks

[gobs]

We always talk and think herbs: dry well drained and poorish, which is true for a load of them.

There are some exceptions though, notably the commonly grown ones, parsley and mint like it a bit damp.

[kezlou]

Hi there

I just use plain ordinary compost and make sure the herbs are well watered.
I also have herbs in containers so they need more water than those in soil.

hope thats useful, good luck  

[lincspoacher]

ill look in the company compost database tomorrow and tell you what the main growers use  

[OB]

What do yopu mean by plain ordinary compost? On the basis I have to buy some what will I be looking for at the garden centre? The bottom of the planters will have some general garden soil then the compost on top, the planters are only about 8 inches deep.

[Trillium]

The compost wouldn't be a rich one, but should give a bit of nourishment to the herbs. As Gobs says, most herbs thrive in poorer soil, other than soft ones like basil and mint which like it damp and rich. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, etc can attract white fly if the soil is too rich.

[noshed]

General purpose with grit or perlite for thyme etc. Just general purpose for your basil. Concrete will be OK for your mint.

[lincspoacher]

I rang the technical guy where i work, he said a lot of growers use a mix of fine bark chips and coir. Vermiculite/perlite mixed about 25% with  H2/5 medium peat (or even composted bark) might work as well, but very few growers use it, since 1 cu/m of perlite/ vermiculite is approx 10 times as expensive as a bag of peat the same size. Some herbs, however will grow in any dodo.

bear in mind all these mixes need nutrients adding, most growers use a CRF (controlled release fertiliser), or a liquid feed in the water

Mint and parsley will grow anywhere, where as wild fennel (the sort with the tap root, not the bulb), only likes heavy soil in full sun!!

[love-my-plot]

I just use multi-purpose for everything and it all does fine... even seed sowing. I know we're not s'posed to do that  :roll:   but I've never had a problem  
As the saying goes  ....... Werks fer me  

[polly nator]

In the wild you find the best hetbs growing in very very dry and sometimes rocky areas such as hilly areas of southern France. So I'd go for a sunny spot and maybe mix in some sand or grit. As the others have said, the same doesnt apply to parsley or basil. Basil in particular will flop very quickly if feeling thirsty.

[OB]

It will certainly get the sun as it's a south facing garden, so i'll go for some general purpose with some sand mixed in and maybe stick the Basil in a pot instead or just ensure it gets more water.

Thanks for your help

[amberleaf]

Just buy a grow bag and fill your pots up with that.