Thank you. When you say very well drained soil, how do I make some of the compartments better at draining? More drainage holes and more shingle/stones in the bottom with less ratio of soil? I have bought a couple of the herbs already from a garden centre and keeping in greenhouse until the planter ready. Another question, would I fill each section with shingle, then top soil & then compost in that order?
Well drained soil lets the water drain freely, sand drains too well, clay very badly, so I would be using a mix of loam, compost and grit. Sorry, not scientific enough to give you ratios, I do it by eye and experience. No need to fill the bottom with shingle but make sure there is adequate drainage out of the planter.
If the Mediterranean herbs are going in the top then the mint underneath won't mind being drained onto. Goodness, just read that back, dreadful sentence! Hope you see what I mean?
If you get the mix of grit and dirt right drainage will be fine through the soil, then just make sure there are enough holes for that to drain out of the container over time. They mostly just don't like sitting in wet soil for long periods. You will need to water them often in the warmer weather as containers dry out more quickly but the liner should help you there.
Does that make sense or am I just confusing you?
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
Thank you, yes that makes perfect sense. We are quite new to the 'growing things from scratch' scenario so like to find out as much as possible before doing something wrong and ruining them. Thank you so much for the help 😃
You are very welcome, and by the way, I have learned more from my mistakes than my successes
I really hope you enjoy the great experience of cooking with your own fresh herbs and it encourages you to grow a few more, just experiment as the lovely people on this forum will always be happy to help.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
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I have bought a couple of the herbs already from a garden centre and keeping in greenhouse until the planter ready.
Another question, would I fill each section with shingle, then top soil & then compost in that order?
If the Mediterranean herbs are going in the top then the mint underneath won't mind being drained onto. Goodness, just read that back, dreadful sentence! Hope you see what I mean?
If you get the mix of grit and dirt right drainage will be fine through the soil, then just make sure there are enough holes for that to drain out of the container over time. They mostly just don't like sitting in wet soil for long periods. You will need to water them often in the warmer weather as containers dry out more quickly but the liner should help you there.
Does that make sense or am I just confusing you?
We are quite new to the 'growing things from scratch' scenario so like to find out as much as possible before doing something wrong and ruining them.
Thank you so much for the help 😃
I really hope you enjoy the great experience of cooking with your own fresh herbs and it encourages you to grow a few more, just experiment as the lovely people on this forum will always be happy to help.