Help with my herbs on balcony

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by pikkie_stace, Apr 27, 2020.

  1. pikkie_stace

    pikkie_stace Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi.
    Im a total novice to gardening and would like some advice. I live in a flat so I have some balcony planters t groow some herbs. I brought some store herb pots and soil that was recommended at a garden center. I repotted these guys towards the end of summer (mint in one and Rosemanry and Thyme in the other) and they lasted all throughout winter but not looks like they are dying, I assume this may be due to the soil? So my questions are below, but any other advice would be great
    - should i be changing the soil or just topping up with fresh soil?
    - I think I should be using some plant food, but I have no idea what one to get so if you have advice that would be great

    Thanks in advance for the help 20200427_130207.jpg 20200427_130224.jpg
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Hi pikkie, welcome to Gardeners Corner. As drastic as it sounds I would give the Herbs a "hair cut" by about a third to some green buds or leaves to encourage new growth. Most Herbs like sunshine and good drainage and the "soil" shouldn't be too rich. When you say "soil", pikkie, I take it you mean compost? as ordinary garden soil should not be used as it can set like concrete when dry. I would use a mixture of general purpose compost, sand and grit if you do decided to change the growing medium and make sure the containers do have holes for drainage. Most Herbs, if left, look a bit tatty at this time of year so don't give up on them just yet.:cat-kittyandsmiley::ouch1:
       
    • pikkie_stace

      pikkie_stace Apprentice Gardener

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      Thanks @ARMANDII Yes by soil I did mean a multipurpose compost, that was reccomended to use at the garden center so should be good for it. There are decent amount of holes for drainaige too, so maybe I willjust give them a good trim and keep giving them some love and look for some new growth
       
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Hi pikkie, well, as good as Compost is it's best not used alone in a container especially if the plant(s) is going to be in there for long time as it can dry out and is a "b" to wet again:wallbanging::heehee:
      So, I would recommend that perhaps using a mixture of say, 3 parts Compost, 1 part sand and one part grit, that will give a better draining growing medium while also being easier to water should it dry out.:cat-kittyandsmiley::coffee:
       
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