Steve Wertz wrote:

Is there a list of herbs that can be safely grown outdoors during
this season?

Mine ain't doing too well (Purple basil, basil, a couple mints,
thyme, oregano, and something I don't even remember what it is).

-sw

OK, this is from a guy with an acre and a half in herbs. I only water
after transplanting for about a week. With all the rain we have had this
spring we have only watered selectively a few times. Otherwise we do not
water!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are killing them with small waterings. IF you are to water you do a
deeper heavier watering with a drip hose or water several times with the
hose till the ground is well soaked. Mulch is important when the weather
is gonna be dry. Otherwise when you water daily and only a quart per
day, you are teaching the plant to not grow roots out into the soil.
They expect that delivery of water. Also root rot gets worse if there is
not a drying of the soil between waterings. You may need to start over.

Another culprit of what you may be doing, is if you planted your plants
from small transplants, did you break up the root ball before
planting??? If not often the roots will not extend beyond the existing
root ball. Pull up one of those suckers and look at the roots. Probably
they are just in the same shape that you put them in the ground. ie they
have not grown into the soil and they are only collecting water from
the peat moss dirt they were planted with. Maybe your soil needs more
amending time and biological organisms to maintain soil moisture and
porousity to allow the roots to expand. IF you soil is very hard and
clay like add sulfur or gypsum or cotton burr hulls and granite sand.

Good Luck
Feel free to come out and check out our gardens and I will give you some
pointers

Dave
Gardens of the Ancients Herb Emporium and Nursery
www.gardensoftheancients.com
512-272-9062