I've used old soil like that. It's probably sat around long enough for most stuff to compost anyways. they will probably be the best you've grown since you didn't fuss with them too much....I'd wait and see how they do.

Pam

Thanks for your reply, the old soil did look very rich. I feel much better now. This is the first pot I put together that actually looks pretty. Aesthetics has never been my strong points.

I think you are ok. It's ok to reuse potting soil. and from what I read they probably died from watering problem than disease and pest. mixing in soil that bulbs have rotted is find. they were just in the process of being composted.
whatever insects you've seen might not be either. but probably nothing to worry about. if aphids, they won't touch herbs. I would advice against using strong fertilizer like miracle gro. herbs don't need to be / shouldn;'t be heavily fed. if you keep feeding miracle gro, you might end up with heavy , early flowers and you don't want that to happen. It'll change the flavor of the herbs once they flower. I'd say stick to mainly nitrogen like weak fish emulsion.

remember, important thing about growing herbs are great drainage, full sun, and hopefully you are using terra cotta pot because they want the soil to dry fast, hates wet feet. In my experience they do terribly in plastic pot.
good luck.

Hello every1 I am a newbie to gardening and I have been reading alot and researching online but I have a couple of questions I cant find the answers to and was hoping someone here can help:) First is it ok to start seeds in containers instead of seed trays etc. Ive tried in the past and always kill my small plants when transplanting I was wondering if i could just start in a container and leave them their. Also how many seeds do you put in one container (the whole packet, 1, 2 ). Last I read that you need a pot atleast half as big as the plants height so a plant that will grow to 3ft needs atleast an 18 inch pot is that per plant for example i bought 6 impatiens little plants from lowes and I planted all 6 in a 9 inch pot before i read this do I have to take 5 out now and give them their own space. Any advice will be greatly appreciated thanx.

First question about seeding directly in pots. This is done all the time but usually the key challenge is not to let the seed dry out and yet not keep it to wet. If you start them in a shady area this will be less likely to dry out too fast. After the seed germinate and sprout above the soil line start to acclimate it to its evental sun position a few hours of early morning the first few days then a half day morning light then full sun if this is what the plant wants.
2. the impatients are probably too many for that pot size. It common in the nursery trade to put 3 evenly spaced in that size pot. It can be left alone and still turn out ok but in the future keep this in mind.
3. How many seeds in a pot depends on what the seed is and size it will eventually be. I would still do at least 3 so as to make sure something grows (germinates) you can always cut off the weakest plants in favor of the strongest. There is only general rules of thumb to guide you and experience is still a great teacher and will be a part of any growing experience.
Hope this gives you some general guidelines to consider in your future projects.
Happy Growing David

Thank You SOOO much David. I am so happy to hear I dont have to transplant. All your information and advice was clear and very much appreciated, of coarse being a newbie I am a little unclear still on one (sorry )lol. I thought you have to plant your flowers in a container half the size of your plants height meaning one but you mentioned placing 3 in one evenly spaced so if you get the right size pot can you fit 2 or 3? It is very true experience is a great teacher and this is a wonderful growing experience for me thank you for sharing and being a small part of it :)

Let me try another way to help. If I plan on planting a zinnia or direct sow them for example. I would use a (ten inch diameter at top of pot). Then I would direct seed in a 90 degree triangle formation 3 seed in each of the three holes. The same would be done if I transplanted the three zinnias. I would plant in a 90 degree triangle one each of the zinnias in the three holes. No culling of plants would be needed. But if I seed I want to make sure each hole will have a plant grow so I put three is each hole and after they sprout I would cull to the one best for each hole. This creates a fuller pot quicker without filling in too much. You are thinking or reading that a 10 inch pot will grow one 20 inch plant is more or less correct but is a general guide and not an absolute. In my above example I would be using profusion or a dreamland mix of zinnias both will be a foot to 18 inches tall so it may seem that I could use a 6 inch container for one plant and it would work but it would be harder to maintain as is comes to maturity. I opt to go for a 3 per each 10 inch pot and it looks fuller quicker and is still easier to maintain than 3 six inch pots of the same zinnias. I would also say you could use a 12 or 14 inch pot for this and water at maturity would be even easier. You don't want plants to be dwarfed by the pot nor so small they dry out too fast or are too top heavy thus being harder to maintain their beauty as they come to maturity.
Hope this makes it clear as mud:). A simple drawing would be easier to show you but it is words I must use so I hope this will help.
Happy Growing David

Thank you I was having a hard time with that one. I understand YIPEE LOL! So far so good I have petunias, impatiens, geraniums, begonia, verbana and vincas and they are doing great. I also had a cardinal and 3 purple finches visit my garden today I WAS SO HAPPY. I am enjoying my gardening but it all started because I was trying to create a small haven for birds and both are coming along better than I expected. I have A GARDEN!! BIRDS WANT TO HANG OUT HERE lol. Well thank you and goodbye for now if I have any more questions Ill be on :) As far as gardening I cant help as you can see but if you have questions about cooking Im your girl. I love to cook and have been told my food is DELICIOUS!! I cook spanish, italian, chinese, and any other foods I wanna try. So Im here if you need me.
Your Friend Jewlz