Question
Thanks very much, I think we must be over-watering, as it's not that cold over here at the moment. We are having similar problems of browning/wilting leaves with Japanese anemone and dogwood, although these are planted in a border, unlike the others which were in pots. I water daily, but I would have thought the drainage in the soil would have prevented them getting waterlogged. What do you think? Thanks again.  David

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Followup To
Question -
I've been successfully growing a variety of herbs in my garden (in London) this year. However, just this past week the basil, oregano and sage look a bit sick. Some of their leaves have turned a bit brown, but not all of them. They are no longer as shiny and healthy as they used to be. Does this sound like a pest, a disease, or an act of God? thanks for any help you can give me. - David
Answer -
David:
If your day & night temps are getting below 60, Basil will start turning brown. It needs full morning sun and not too much water. The sage and oregano will do the same for too much moisture. They do better if fed an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion and seaweed or just fish fertilizer. Keep pulling off brown leaves and prune 1/3 of new growth on each branch. This will produce more foliage.

Leroy

Answer
David:
If the plants have been growing in the pots all season, they can become root bound. If the soil does not hold sufficient amount of water and it drains quickly and deplet some of the fertilizer. I don't know anything about the care of your other plant varieties.
CONTAINERS

I like those 10-inch deep containers that they finally start putting out. Those 6-inch deep planters only work you to death by re-potting the herbs when pot becomes full by mid-summer.  Most gardeners don't pay any attention to them until they start to loose color from lack of soil for the roots and food that another hungry herb has gobbled up first.          

The 10-inch will give you plenty of space even when you plant it in the late fall to bring in. Start at Wal-Mart to buy these. Don't wait until the late summer, because they move out the garden supplies. Start looking for their summer clearance sales and still that might be too late. Best to buy early.

SOIL

Use (1) part sterile potting soil and (2) parts good garden top soil. You can start experimenting later with other soil mixes indoors when you get familiar with the types of potting soils.  Some are really bad for herbs, especially indoors. Use a plastic waste basket size container to mix your soil. Use a 6-inch pot as your soil measurer to fill your planter. Add (1) tablespoon  each of kelp meal, greensand, bone meal and rock phosphate or a good organic fertilizer.

Leroy