General Questions ?

[Tarragon2017]

Dear All ,

I hope you dont mind me asking you some general gardening questions. I have been a non serious gardener for some years but now I want to take it more serious and as you can appreciate there is a plethora of information out there to digest.

Firstly I am going to grow Herbs in containers

The soil I am choosing is a john innes no 3 mixed with some grit about 5 parts compost to 1 part grit , would this be ok ?Also shall i add grit on the top or wood bark ?

Is it also true not to water the leafs of the herbs or veg but to slowly water the soils instead? But you can spray the leafs of certain veg I am a little confused

I also want to grow some Veg in containers later in the year such as Garlic and beans would the soil compost choice of John Innes no 3 and grit also be acceptable for this if so would the same ratio as the herbs be ok ? If not would something such as perlite be better.

I also will feed the plants with organic seaweed extract once every 4-6 weeks for herbs and for veg every 2 weeks.

Do you think I am on the right tracks or do you think I need to change anything

Thanks

[Bigmallly]

Hello & welcome to the Jungle, I don't grow herbs so cannot be of any help but I'm sure someone here will be able to advise.

[craftymarie]

Welcome Tarragon

I'm sure more experienced growers will be along to answer your questions.

I've only ever used general multi purpose compost for all veg and herbs in containers and that's always worked well for me. Herbs tend to like good drainage so adding some grit in is a good idea.

I used to put grit/small stones around the top of pots to stop weeds growing. However, this led to the soil getting very dry and I now use a light topping of bark chippings which work better for me.

I use organic seaweed about once a week for veg and any other edibles - usually from May onwards when the weather is warmer. It gets used less often on flowers and shrubs.

I don't water the leaves of anything unless I am spraying a garlic solution on to help deter bugs. Water goes straight near the roots with a good water normally once or twice a week depending how dry it is. Containers need a lot more checking.

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan.

[Tarragon2017]

Thanks for to the both of you

I was thinking of wood chippings actually , would this be good for veg and herbs ?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Tarragon and welcome
I'll never be a serious gardener so take whatever I say with a pinch of salt
The soil mixture may depend on which herbs you're planning on growing! Perennial evergreen herbs like thymes, rosemary, lavender would prefer a drier, grittier soil than the soft leaved herbs like parsley, mint, basil.
As for watering, if they are outdoors, rain will fall on the leaves and run off, that's nature. But if they are under cover, and you water onto the leaves, it may not evaporate so readily and cause humidity and the leaves will suffer - so you water the compost not the leaves. Does that make sense?

[Tarragon2017]

Thanks Veggie Chicken that makes sense

Would you use less grit in the soil compost of the herbs such as basil and parsley , if so what ratio would you suggest?

or would you suggest another mixture

One other point if you have chillis you do spray them with water but avoid the leaves?

[maverick451]

Thanks for to the both of you

I was thinking of wood chippings actually , would this be good for veg and herbs ?

Personally I dont like wood chip mixing or even ontop of soil

Others my disagree but I find plants dont do as well.

[Tarragon2017]

Have you ever used grit ?

[Bigmallly]

So far as I am aware grit is used to aid drainage so would be advantageous to use it in clay soil.

[Tarragon2017]

As you can understand when I read on about veg and herbs I get conflicting stories.

But I think 1 part grit to 4 or 5 parts compost for soil

be nice to know what people put on the top more grit or bark or something else

with regard to veg such as garlic and beans can i stick to grit if so what ratio or shall i use vermiculite or perlite

[maverick451]

I would probably use grit with herbs like lavender that like well drained soil.

I got this mixture from a lavender nursery and keep it in my notes

"Use a mix of one third each of soilless compost, John Innes No.2 or 3 and coarse grit."

[Tarragon2017]

what soil mix should I have for the veg such as onions and garlic and non med herbs

thanks

[Tarragon2017]

I believe grit aerates the soil aswell as improves drainage

Having said this I assume I can use this for all my veg and other non-med herbs , if so should I stick with the ratios of 1to 5 or 1to 4

[Guest]

Plants will grow happily without grit, but as said your Mediterranean type herbs won't object. Unfortunately I am not a ratio kinda person, more a bung in the odd handful. Plants don't fuss over perfection, exact science etc. besides once you finish with all that a kind bug will come a long and chomp ya plant and spoil all your effort.

Yay for gardening

[Tarragon2017]

Norfolk Grey,

Can I ask what you use to grow your veg and herbs ?

Also As I have bought a bag of grit , I want to use it , but only if it doesnt harm my veg and herbs.

Will it at the very least not do any harm