Why are my herbs all so weedy?

[Sharming]

I have thyme, rosemary, oregano and mint all in pots - all bought as small plants a couple of years ago. I expected them to be doing much better by now, but they're all still pretty small and pathetic.

I thought mint at the very least would have been growing really well by now. What am I doing wrong? They're in small pots on a sunny patio.

Photos would help? They may be in pots that are too small, and/or in conditions they don’t like. Mint is a runner (thug really), it likes a bit of space and semi shade and reasonable watering. Thyme and the other mediterraneans need sun and good drainage but little nutrition.

This is my sage - still quite small

Actually I think I was given the sage as a seedling last year, so that one isn't doing too badly. Any tips on getting it to bush out though?

Thyme, two different mints, and then a row of Rosemary, Oregany and Chives

None of them are big enough for me to start harvesting any herbs from them, I don't think?

And what is going on with my Mint? They're pathetic!

Your pots are too small. I find that stuff does much better in big pots - they aren’t subject to as much stress- getting too wet and then over drying etc. so I’d give them all a good hair cut and lit them on in pots at least twice as big if not triple the size. Or even one enormous pot for all the woody herbs. You probably won’t get much out of them this year but they may do better next year. As an example this pot has two small little garden centre herbs (chives and thyme) but the pot is at least 50cm high with 40cm diameter.

OK great - I've got some bigger pots, so I'll give that a try. Thanks!

They look as if the soil is a bit tired. They need repotting every year, with new soil, even if they go back into the same soil.

As others have said, you need bigger pots. Make sure the pots have drainage holes and cover the holes with a layer of pebbles ( so that the holes don't get clogged up with soil).

Use a good quality compost (John Innes No. 2 is good for most things) and mix in a small handful of blood, fish and bonemeal.

Keep the pots watered but not soggy.
That should keep them happy and hopefully next year they'll be thriving.

I've been using plant food with mine they are all thriving apart from the basil as the dog keeps eating it!

I didn’t know that. What time of year is best for repotting?

I wouldn’t feed thyme, Mediterranean herbs originally grow on poor soil. Too much feeding and they’ll put on fast, weak growth. I find thyme a bit tricky, I have it in my allotment and make sure it is in as much sun as possible, also it cannot stand any competition so if weeds get into the pot make sure to pull them out quick.

I disagree that you need big potsI have herbs stuffed in one of those strawberry planters and they're all growing well. I would say pinch the tips and plenty of sun and good water/ drainage.

And yes, they are plenty big enough for you to harvest! Most recipes only call for small amounts of herbs so you have plenty there ( unless you have a predilection for mint tea), and snipping bits off to use will encourage the plants to bush out and produce more growth.

Now is fine. Use a gritty compost as most herbs like a free draining soil. Adding course grit to normal compost is fine, or mix in a growing medium like vermiculite.

Coarse.

Thank you!

I'm going to give them a snip/start harvesting - I was worried they were too small and weak for me to take anything from them.