Soil for Growing herbs and vegetables

[noenergy]

I thought since I have more time on my hands that I would grow some herbs like mint and coriander and some veg like peas, spinach, lettuce etc

But have no idea where to start. It would have to be in large pots as garden is all paved. What I don't know is what soil do I buy, is it just topsoil and compost bags or is there another type I should b using?

Also which things are easy to grow, i.e. will more likely survive

A good idea, I’d buy general purpose compost. All those things do well in pots, I’ve grown lettuce in large plastic troughs.
Don’t forget to water in some plant food when they develop. Soluble Tomato food is ok.

Compost is needed if you’re using pots. If they are deep you could get away with some soil at the bottom- deep pots are better as they don’t need watering so much.

All the ones you mention are easy except coriander, which needs decent weather (I grow indoors here in Scotland). Mint is indestructible! Herbs are good- rosemary etc that you only use a little of for cooking.

If pots are too expensive just buy grow bags for now (the ones for tomatoes). You can also use all sorts of containers if you make drainage holes in them. Ice cream tubs, old baby bath, plastic bottles etc. You might struggle to buy pots etc at the moment but these would do for now.

Lots of plants are better off started on windowsills at this time of year, and moved outside in May after the last frost. You can start things in yoghurt pots (make holes in base, stand on tray) and transfer to pots after lockdown is over.