I am far from expert, so forgive me if I am asking naive questions. What herbs did you try? What is the soil composition? How much water? How much and what kind of additives? I am in the Dallas area. Have clay soil and never add supplements. Do add supplemental water when trying to establish a new plant, but not much. Grow basils, thymes, rosemary, and oreganos. Also grow society garlic, and chives when I remember to plant them.